As you all know we are more than happy to be part of the struggle which so many are going through in order to make our planet a better place, and we are constantly reviewing all aspects of our lives to make sure that we are in fact doing our bit to reduce the negative impact which we are having on the planet. One area in particular which everyone should pay attention to is the use of cleaning products and the huge number of noxious chemicals and gases which can be found in these products, which have a very damaging affect on the O-zone layer.

The beauty is however that we can easily switch to natural products instead of these harmful substances, and in order to do that, all we need to do is take a short walk back in time. Let’s take a look at exactly what the problem is with many of these products, and then some solutions which you can use to have a more natural cleaning life.

Dangerous Chemicals

There are a number of substances which we use on a daily basis, that have the potential to do great harm.

• Phosphates, found in dishwasher and laundry detergents, cause algae bloom and also produces chemicals which are incredibly toxic to animals and people.
• Chlorine bleach (sodium hypochlorite), available alone and in detergents and other products, is toxic to fish and can bind with organic compounds in water to form organochlorines, which break down slowly in the environment and accumulate in the fatty tissues of wildlife. Chlorine is especially toxic to organisms that live in water and soil
• Formaldehyde is an ingredient which can be found in products such as furniture polish and has the awful ability to disrupt the hormone operation in animals which can cause great problems for their growth and their ability to reproduce.
• Trisodium nitrilotriacetate is a possible carcinogen in laundry detergents. It can disrupt the elimination of metals in wastewater treatment facilities which could result in a great many consequential issues

Replacements

There are so many things around the home which you can use, household items which are likely already sitting in your cupboards.

• Lemon juice is great for deodorizing and for cleaning
• Cornstarch is the ideal cleaner for windows and carpets, it can even polish furniture
• Baking soda is a neutralizer of acid making it perfect to soften fabrics, clean and polish metal
• Vinegar has hundreds of uses and it is the best for removing mildew, wax and cleaning windows, bricks and stone. Vinegar is also a great deodorizer.

You could even make your very own all-purpose cleaner using 4 tablespoons of baking soda, mixed with a quart of warm water, give it a good shake and you have a perfect cleaning solution which is great for all areas of the home.

The old ways were not only the best, they were also a far more eco-conscious way of doing things. Ditch the dangerous chemicals and try these natural substances instead.