However, there are ways to make your house sparkle with less-toxic products.
Environmental health specialist Michelle Niedermeier says, "One thing to keep in mind is that 'clean' doesn't have a smell. So you don't live in a pine forest, you don't live in a lemon grove."
Niedermeier, of Pennsylvania Integrated Pest Management, which is affiliated with Penn State University,says you should step back from 'disinfection,' and focus on CLEANING.
Niedermeier says, "The first step if always to *clean, and if the surface is clean, then typically bacteria and viruses can't adhere to anything, because the diet hold in those, the bad things we don't want."
The ingredients grandma used are good staples to start with.
"Such as baking soda, vinegar, lemons, those are also, you know, easy to make, store well, and are good cleaners," she says.
Instead of the regular window spray, try vinegar and water.
"Just a straight vinegar and water solution is really good for mirrors and for windows," she says.
Another all-star combo - castile soap, vinegar, and baking soda - can clean a multitude of surfaces.
She notes, "They can be used in different proportions and combinations to make all-purpose cleaners, drain cleaners, or even pastes for scrubbing purposes."
Whatever you mix up, be sure to label it.
"You can add what the ingredients are on the side of the bottle, and how to use it properly," Niedermeier adds.
Here are some recipies, based on advice from Niedermeier and the organization Care2.com:
Glass cleaner. Mix 3 tablespoons of vinegar with 2 cups of water and ¼ to ½ teaspoon of liquid vegetable soap. Pour into a spray bottle and mix well.
All purpose spray cleaner. Place 2 cups of warm water in an empty spray bottle. Add one teaspoon of vegetable soap and one teaspoon of baking soda. Slowly add 3 teaspoons of vinegar to the mixture (be careful, the vinegar will react with the baking soda and foam). Replace the nozzle and shake to completely mix the ingredients.
Regular all purpose cleaner (non-spray). Add 4 tablespoons of baking soda to 4 cups of warm water. Mix well. Niedermeier says this is a good cleaner for scrubbing counter tops, the bathtub and other surfaces.
Soft scrub. Place about ½ cup of baking soda in a bowl, then add just enough vegetable soap to make a creamy paste-like mixture. Use with a sponge to wipe grimy surfaces. This is a nice cleaner for bathtubs because it cuts the grime without scratching the surface.
Niedermeier says since home-made cleaners are not quite as abrasive, you may need to use a little more elbow grease to remove dirt and grease. Even though the ingredients are non-toxic, all home-made cleaning products should still be stored in a labeled container (with a list of ingredients as well as the type of cleaner) and out of reach of children.
Click here for a list of independently-verified green products.
