Did you know that many household cleaning products can be hazardous to your health? And not just by accidentally ingesting them or splashing them into your eye—but sometimes just breathing them in or getting a little bit onto your skin can cause health issues. What are safe substitutes for hazardous chemical cleaners?
Fortunately, there are many natural cleaning products on the market today that remove many of the most toxic chemicals from household cleaning products. There are also DIY cleaning solutions that are not only effective and not harmful to your body but that can also be quite affordable.
Here are some healthy alternatives to cleaning products.
Swap bleach for 3-percent hydrogen peroxide
It’s no secret that bleach is a nasty chemical. It’s a great disinfectant, but that’s because it kills pretty much everything it touches. That includes plant and animal life that comes in contact with it after it’s been flushed or dumped outside. It can even burn your skin.
You may have noticed that bleach has a pungent, distinctive and unpleasant odor. That’s a clue that it is not great to breathe in for very long. Frequent exposure in a poorly-ventilated area can cause respiratory ailments.
There is a natural alternative to this cleaning product. You can use 3-percent hydrogen peroxide in place of bleach for many applications. It can be used on its own to clean toilet bowls, bathtubs, counters and showers. Mixing 1 cup of 3-percent hydrogen peroxide with hot water is also great for cleaning floors.
The power of vinegar
There is a chemical in most glass cleaners called butyl glycol, which is a carcinogen that is harmful to humans in any amount. There is a natural solution that might be in your cupboard right now: plain old vinegar.
The acetic acid in vinegar makes it a powerful all-around cleaning tool that also kills germs. It works great as a streak-free glass cleaner and can be scented with essential oils to leave the lingering clean scent of your choice. Be careful not to use vinegar on ceramics, stone, electronics or pearls.
Because it’s a good all-purpose cleaner, vinegar can also be used in place of surface cleaners. Mix it in a spray bottle with distilled water and a few sprigs of your favorite aromatic herb or citrus-scented essential oil for a refreshing cleaning experience.
Flush away the idea of expensive toilet bowl cleaners
Toilet bowl cleaners are not only one of the most toxic home chemicals around (they can irritate the lungs, eyes and more), but they’re also expensive. An affordable natural alternative? Try baking soda. Sprinkle a healthy amount of baking soda into the bowl, and add some vinegar. Let it sit for about 30 minutes, and then scrub the bowl with a toilet brush. You may be surprised at how effective this simple, affordable natural alternative can be.
Now that you know what some safe substitutes for hazardous chemical cleaners are, you can avoid doing any unnecessary harm to your body or the environment while keeping your home spic and span. To continue keeping your body and home as healthy as possible, check out A Gift of Health today.