Did you know that household cleaners are some of the most toxic products in your home?

The chemicals found in the most commonly used cleaners can cause cancer, breathing problems and even birth defects.  Not to mention the fact that they are absolutely terrible for our environment.

Here is a crazy statistic for you:

Since 1950, at least 70,000 new chemical compounds have been invented and dispersed into our environment, our homes and our lives. Only a fraction of these have been tested for human toxicity. We are, by default, conducting a massive clinical toxicology trial, and our children and their children are the experimental animals.

So What Are You To Do?

The use of – or lack of – chemicals in your home is one way to take control of your environment. The air pollution in your home is sometimes 300 to 500 times more toxic than standing on a freeway. We’re taught that if it smells clean, it is clean, but that CLEAN smell can also highly toxic – just to inhale it. Not to mention that if you have children in your home. Children, being much smaller, breath in far more often, making them far more vulnerable.

Simple answer: make sure YOU KNOW what you environment you are creating in your house… Read on to learn simple tips and tricks about safe, natural cleaning products and ideas.

Disinfect Without Chemicals

Many of you might think that without a chemical such as bleach, you cannot disinfect.  I’ve even heard people comment that bleach just makes things smell cleaner! That is simply not true!  You can create your own disinfecting spray with common inexpensive household items, which will not only save you money, but also save you from toxic residue in regular chemical cleaners.

One of the best disinfectants is plain old white vinegar.  Vinegar not only kills bacteria, but also creates an environment that is unfriendly for new bacteria to grow! It is completely non-toxic and even safe if swallowed.

Hydrogen peroxide is also a very powerful disinfectant. It is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral. Hydrogen peroxide contains a mild bleaching action, so be careful not to spray it on fabrics or carpet unless they’re white.

Making your own disinfecting spray couldn’t be any easier – or cheaper!  You can find the recipe below and use the spray on a weekly basis.  Even with a house full of children and pets, you can feel secure without the dangers of harsh chemicals in commercial cleaners saturating every surface of your home.

Non-Toxic Disinfecting Cleaning Spray

  • 1 empty spray bottle
  • Hydrogen peroxide or vinegar
  • Essential oils for scent (lemon, grapefruit, lavender or orange)

Fill the spray bottle with either vinegar or hydrogen peroxide.  Add about 3-4 drops of essential oils, or more if you would like a pleasant scent.  Shake and spray away!!

This wonderful safe and non-toxic disinfectant spray can be used anywhere. Whether it be for countertops, mirrors or toilet bowls, it is extremely versatile and cleans very well.  For tougher jobs, spray and let it sit for about 3-5 minutes before wiping it clean.

Microfiber Cloths

After making my own disinfecting sprays for years, I was introduced to the magic of microfiber.  Quality microfiber cloths are used all over Europe and even some in America for cleaning hospitals.  Using only water, microfiber cloths clean and disinfect even better than standard cleaners.  Studies have shown that 99.9% of bacteria and viruses can be eliminated on surfaces with just a damp microfiber cloth.

I now use only water to clean and disinfect my countertops, mirrors, appliances, toilet seats, and floors.  No more sprays for me, even the natural ones.

Microfiber cloths work because their tiny little fibers grab the dirt, bacteria, and viruses like a magnet.  They then keep those germs and dirt inside the fibers until they’re rinsed out.  There is no cross contamination and no spreading the germs and dirt around.

Not only has microfiber proven to reduce time and energy on certain tasks, it is environmentally friendly and rarely requires the use of chemicals. At first glance, the microfiber cloth appears to be no different than other cotton cloths. But microfiber m creates a surface area covered with millions of spaces between the fibers to trap moisture, dirt and debris.

Self-Sanitizing Cloths

I do want to specify that not all microfiber is created equal. There are cheap microfiber cloths on the market that do not work well for sanitizing.  It is very important that your cloth be of the highest quality.

The microfiber cloths that I use are Norwex brand. Norwex is a company that specializes in quality microfiber, improving their microfiber by weaving silver into the fabric. Silver is a natural virus and bacteria killer.  Having silver in the cloth allows it to sanitize itself!  No more stinky washcloths and you can go much longer between washings.

I loved the Norwex cloths so much that I became a Norwex sales consultant. If you’re interested in the Norwex micro fiber cloths, you can go to http://amandabox.norwex.biz/?p=n&sectid=1 I’d also be happy to answer any questions you may have about the products.

Detox your Home

Whether you use vinegar, hydrogen peroxide or even microfiber cloths, you can clean and disinfect just as easily and thoroughly without chemicals – and save money while you do it! Stock your cleaning tool tote with the homemade cleaning spray and microfiber cloths to make short work of household grime–without harsh chemicals or irritating fumes. Try the easy recipe to clean your organized home faster, better and cheaper!

Purge your home from toxic chemicals and create a safer environment for you and your whole family, today!  There’s no reason not to!

Know a neat freak? Help a friend make the shift to natural cleaning products…for the safety of their family…and share this article with them!

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