Sunday, October 26, 2008

The Clean Green Home

Would you like a sip of dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride or how about a taste of ethylbenzyl ammonium chloride? I didn't think so ...

I'm not the "crunchy granola" type. I don't drive a hybrid vehicle, compost unused produce or generate electricity with solar panels. But, I do care about the earth and wholeheartedly believe that taking small steps toward making our planet cleaner will work.

What drives me nuts is our reliance on and naivety surrounding toxic cleaning products. Check out the back labels of your household cleaning products and you may see a daunting list of chemical ingredients. I still have a container of a popular brand of disinfecting wipes that recommends use in the child's room and kitchen surfaces. My eyes wander down to the precautionary statement ... "hazards to humans and domestic animals." Dangerous contradiction.

How are these products safe? They're not. Not only do such household products put your little ones, family members and even pets at potential risk, but they contaminate water sources. Putting those products down the drain will inevitably contaminate our precious groundwater. Buy cleaning products with natural ingredients to lessen your footprint on the earth. If you don't, we may all be drinking your dimethly benzyl ammonium chloride cocktail.

Think twice next time you are at the grocery store. Buy products with biodegradable ingredients. Your decision will make more of an impact than you may know.


My clean green picks:


I love the scent and cleaning strength of Mrs. Meyers Clean Day Lavender Countertop Spray (16 oz. retails for $4.99). Hint: I refill the Countertop Spray container with Lavender All Purpose Cleaner and dilute with an equal amount of water. In addition to cleaning kitchen countertops, the product is fabulous for mopping floors.



I'm a fan of lavender, if you can't tell. Method French Lavendar All Purpose Cleaner (28 oz. retails for $4.99) cleans all surfaces in my house, from the hardwood floors to the bathtub.