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Green Cleaning Notes
What is Green Cleaning?
A trend away from chemically-reactive and toxic cleaning products which contain various toxic chemicals
toward non-toxic products.
Think about this:
Poor quality indoor air can produce health effects ranging from headaches and dry eyes to nausea,
dizziness, and fatigue. -Office of the Federal Environmental Executive
On average, Americans spend about 90 percent of their days indoors. EPA studies indicate that human
exposure to air pollutants indoors can be 2-5 times, and occasionally up to 100 times, higher than outdoor
levels. -Office of the Federal Environmental Executive
The toxic chemicals in household cleaners are three times more likely to cause cancer than air pollution.
-Environmental Protection Agency
Health Effects of Toxins:
Some reactions are acute, meaning we feel the effects immediately: eyes water, rashes, coughing, or
sneezing. Other health effects can be chronic, or long-term: hormonal problems, developmental and
learning disabilities, the buildup of fluid in the lungs, even cancer. The EPA has classified many of the
chemicals found in household cleaning products as persistent bioaccumulative toxins. These increase in
concentration in our bodies over time.
Taking Care of the Environment
Traditional cleaning products not only have an affect on humans, but they also have ingredients that harm
the environment. A variety of chemicals and ingredients found in traditional products are harmful to fish,
birds, and other forms of wildlife as well. Green cleaning products are just as effective as traditional
cleaning products on the market today. These environmentally friendly products cost no more than other
products that may contain harsh chemicals and ingredients.
Of the 80,000 chemicals present in our environment the EPA has only tested a tiny fraction of them
about 2 percent for their safety to humans!
Carcinogen: is any substance that can cause or aggravate cancer. Many popular cleaning products often
contain ingredients with known or suspected carcinogenic properties
Neurotoxin: is any poisonous chemical that acts on the body’s brain and nervous system. Neurotoxins,
which can affect cognitive function, have been linked to reduced IQ’s in children
Mutagen: is any agent that causes a permanent genetic change in a cell
Endocrine disrupters: are chemicals that may interfere with the body’s hormonal or reproductive system.
Endocrine disrupters can mimic, block, or interfere with natural hormones, causing all sorts of problems to
develop, including altered immune function and developmental disabilities.
Teratogens: are substances that interfere with fetal development, causing malformation or serious
deviation from normal development of embryos and fetuses.
Ingredients to Avoid
Ammonia: Listed as a toxic chemical by the FDA. Irritates the skin, eyes, and reparatory passages, causes
all sorts of respiratory problems. Is extremely toxic when inhaled in concentrated vapors and repeated
exposure may lead to bronchitis and pneumonia. Can cause chemical burns, cataracts, and has been shown
to produce skin cancer. Often Found In: Automatic dishwasher detergents, window cleaners, and
furniture polishes.
Chlorine bleach: Powerful respiratory irritant that can be fatal when inhaled. Is responsible for most
household poisonings in the United States. Is listed as a hazardous air pollutant. In 2000, U.S poison
control centers reported that chlorine bleach was implicated in injuries to 18,863 children under age 6.
Often Found In: Toilet bowl cleaners, laundry detergents, dishwasher detergents, tub and tile cleaners.
Artificial fragrances: Are synthetic chemical blends that can irritate the skin and cause headaches,
sneezing, and watery eyes. 95% petroleum based. Often contain phthalates and formaldehyde. Can induce
or worsen respiratory problems, particularly in people with asthma, allergies, and sinus problems. Often
Found In: All purpose cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners, and many other cleaning products.
Colors and dyes: are artificial colors made from petroleum and coal tar. Some are believed to cause
cancer. The may penetrate the skin, cause allergies, irritate the skin and eyes. Often Found In: all
purpose cleaners, dishwashing liquids, practically everything.
Dioxane: Is a carcinogen listed as a hazardous air pollutant in the 1990 Clean Air Act. Classified by the
EPA as a probable human carcinogen. Suppress the immune system. Often Found In: Window cleaners
Dioxin: the most dangerous man-made compound ever tested, has been linked to cancer and many other
serious medical problems: birth defects, deformities, developmental delays, and damage to the immune,
reproductive, and respiratory systems. Often Found In: Anything labeled “antibacterial” or
“antimicrobial” might expose you to this hazardous toxin.
Isopropyl alcohol: Can irritate skin and eyes and cause itching, redness, rash, drying, and cracking. Can
cause headaches, drowsiness, confusion, lack of coordination. Possible links to brain and other nerve
damage. Often Found In: Window cleaners
Petroleum distillates (petrochemicals): Are found in the vast majority of commercial cleaning products.
Petroleum products are suspected human carcinogens. Are neurotoxins and endocrine disrupters that
accumulate in our bodies and contaminate our blood. Damage our immune, cardiovascular, reproductive,
and respiratory systems. Often Found In: Anything with artificial fragrance, hand dishwashing liquid,
bathroom floor cleaners, air fresheners, and toilet bowl deodorizers.
Sodium laureth sulfate: Are synthetic surfactants that can enter the bloodstream after very limited
exposure and might also allow other chemicals to penetrate deeper into the skin. Often Found In:
Personal care products and hand dishwashing liquids
Toluene: Is a highly toxic petrochemical solvent that is a known human carcinogen. Also affects the
reproductive and central nervous systems. Often Found In: Stain removers
Triclosan: Is a common disinfectant that sunlight can convert to dioxin, the most toxic substance ever
tested. Is the most common household disinfectant additive. Registered as a pesticide with the EPA, it is a
chlorophenol, a class of chemicals suspected of causing cancer. Triclosan is similar in chemical structure
to some of the most toxic chemicals on earth: dioxins, PCB’s, and Agent Orange. Often Found In:
Antibacterial products
Thieves Essential Oil Blend: Your best alternative to all the toxic chemical cleaners.
• Clove
• Rosemary
• Eucalyptus radiata
• Cinnamon
• Lemon
During the 14th Century plague (known as the Black Death) the story was told of a band of thieves who
robbed the corpses of plague victims. When captured, the bandits revealed the secret of their immunity
from contracting the disease in exchange for leniency. They told of a concoction that included clove and
rosemary that afforded them protection from contracting diseases.
Thieves Household Cleaner one of the most versatile cleaners on the market
Cleans, countertops, floors, windows, carpet, laundry, etc. Comes as a concentrate, so all you have to do is
follow the dilution ratios on the side of the bottle depending on the cleaning job you need to do. Not only
can you replace virtually every cleaner in your home, you can feel secure that you aren’t exposing your
family to toxic chemicals. This is a natural and extremely effective product.
Make your own cleaner:
Baking soda: Buy it in bulk, because this wonder powder has about 1,001 household uses. Use it to cut
odors in the fridge, mix it with castile soap for a gentle surface scrubber, or pour it down the drain with
some vinegar to clear clogs.
Salt: Say goodbye to your harsh oven cleaner. Instead, pour salt on spills as they happen, allow the surface
to cool and scrape up the mess. "If you do that every time you have a spill, you don't need to do anything
else," suggests Linda Mason Hunter, co-author of Green Clean: The Environmentally Sound Guide to
Cleaning Your Home
Castile soap: Much gentler than detergent-type cleansers, this basic liquid soap can clean just about
anything — from toilets to armpits. Dr. Bronner's is a high-quality brand.
Lemon juice: Mix with olive oil for a wood and furniture polish, use it to clean glass and stainless steel or
sprinkle it in baking soda to make carpet-cleaning powder. After you've squeezed out the juice, toss the
rinds down the garbage disposal to cleanse and deodorize.
White distilled vinegar: Because of its acidic properties, vinegar can dissolve grease, soap residue and
mildew, making it the perfect bathroom cleaner. It's a hit in the kitchen, too. Use it to polish chrome, shine
glass and mop tile or linoleum floors.
Essential Oils: Provides powerful cleaning prosperities with many health benefits. Only Use Young
Living Brand Oils.
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