Want an easy tip for healthier cleaning?
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30 January 2019
Open a window or turn on a fan. Cleaning can kick up dust that isn't good for you to inhale and cleaning products can lower indoor air quality.
DIY All Purpose Cleaners
We have 2 recipes for DIY all purpose cleaners that we love. Honestly, we love the white vinegar and water one cause it's so easy to remember and no measuring spoons are needed. Sometimes people don't like the smell of vinegar, but we swear it disappears as soon as you wipe and it's dry. Also, maybe it's a vinegary smell isn't that bad when compared to potentially harmful chemicals and weird synthetic fragrances. You can also add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to mask the smell. Some favorites are peppermint or eucalyptus. Also, if you have some citrus peels around, you can toss those in instead of essential oils and let them hang out in the cleaner for a while, and they have the same effect.
- Vinegar and water- Mixing equal parts white vinegar and water is an easy cleaner that is really good at cutting grease
- Liquid soap and water- Add 2 tbsp of soap to a 16 oz bottle then fill with water. Or, if you are making in bulk, add 1 cup of soap to 1 gallon of water. A safe and effective liquid soap is Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Soap.
DIY Disinfecting Spray
One of our 6 tips for healthier cleaning is that you don't have to disinfect everything all the time, but for when you do need to disinfect (like when someone is sick or you are cooking with raw chicken), we suggest using something that is effective and safe for your lungs too.
- This might be the easiest one on the list. For a great DIY disinfectant, spray hydrogen peroxide just as it comes from the store, which is 3% diluted, let sit it for a minute, then wipe clean. Be careful that it might affect some painted surfaces.
DIY Toilet Cleaner
Cleaning the toilet is probably everyone's least favorite household task, but somebody's gotta do it. And, actually, doing it on a more regular basis makes it easier and not as gross. For the seat and tank, use our DIY all purpose vinegar and water cleaner. For the toilet bowl here are 3 DIY bathroom cleaner suggestions.
- 1/2 cup of vinegar- Pour into the toilet bowl starting from the rim and letting it drip into the water and let sit for 10 minutes, then scrub with brush and flush
- ½ cup of baking soda- Sprinkle into the toilet bowl and around the sides of the bowl and let sit for 10 minutes, then scrub with a brush and flush
- ½ cup of hydrogen peroxide- Pour into the toilet bowl starting from the rim and letting it drip into the water and let sit for 10 minutes, then scrub with a brush and flush
If you're trying to get stains out, we suggest using baking soda. If things are really gross, do the hydrogen peroxide. For just basic cleaning, you can stick with the straight up vinegar.
DIY Glass Cleaner
If your windows aren't really that dirty, just use water and a microfiber cloth to wipe clean. Honestly, microfiber cloths are amazing, and you'll be surprised at how much they can do without any products. For when you really need a DIY glass cleaner that isn't some funky shade of blue, we like this recipe.
- Mix ¼ cup vodka (use a cheap, bottom shelf brand), ¼ cup white vinegar, 1 tbsp cornstarch, and 2 cups of hot water to make a spray that will leave your windows spotless. Make sure to shake vigorously each time before you use it.
DIY Floor cleaner
- ½ tsp of Dr. Bronners Sals Suds or liquid soap for each gallon of water
- ½ cup vinegar for every gallon of water
When the floors are really dirty (I'm talking muddy dog, food throwing toddler) use the Sals Suds or liquid soap solution to really mop up that grease and dirt. If things have been more mellow around the house, use the vinegar solution. We've heard that using the vinegar on hardwood floors is not problem, but you should check what type of finish your floors have, and do a test sample somewhere out of sight just to be sure.
DIY Multipurpose Grout Cleaner and Mold and Mildew killer
This is a great DIY mold and milder cleaner or a grout cleaner. It's great to use when you're doing a deep clean.
- Make a paste of 1/2 cup of baking soda, 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide, then use a used toothbrush to scrub. Wait 5-10 minutes then rinse.
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So, with lead still out and about in the places we spend our time, it's good to know a few handy tips for limiting how often we come into contact with it and accidentally let it into our homes and bodies.
1) Doormat and Shoes Off
Use a doormat and take your shoes off as you walk in the door. This is the easiest tip on the list, and one that makes a pretty big difference. Not completely convinced, read this article for more information about why taking your shoes off at the door makes such a big difference.
2) Mop Your Floors
Wet mop your floors more often. Wet mopping is good for removing lead dust because it actually picks up the dust and traps it, instead of just spreading it to different places like dusting or vacuuming can do. The lead that we come into contact with today is often in the form of dust, so finding effective ways to remove dust is one of the best ways to limit how much lead we come into contact with. (2)
3) Dust with Wet Cloth
Wipe tables, windowsills, and all other flat surfaces with a wet microfiber cloth. (3) Similar to mopping, wet microfiber cloths are like dust magnets. They are great at collecting even tiny specks of dust, and then you can toss them into the washing machine before you use them again. Also, bonus, you can get a big pack of them on Amazon for less than $12. Dust away to your heart's content.
4) Use Cold Water for Cooking and Drinking
Only use cold water from your tap when you are cooking, drinking, and making baby formula. (3) Hot water is more likely to have higher levels of lead from the pipes in your home and is better at pulling the lead from the pipes. Also, consider getting your water tested and buying a water filter that can filter out lead (Pur, Brita, and ZeroWater all have filters that can remove lead).
5) Wash Hands Before Eating and After Playing Outside
Wash your hands, and your kids hands, before you eat and after you do anything outside in the dirt. (2) There are many places throughout the country where lead has collected in the soil. So, if you, or more likely your kids, are playing in the dirt, make sure to wash hands as soon as you are done. (3) Also, try to find sand boxes or other play areas for your kiddos that aren't just bare soil. This will help reduce the risk of there being lead in the dirt.
6) Wash Toys
Throw your kids teddy bear or other soft toys through a cycle in the washing machine. (2) Just like other soft surfaces, teddy bears and soft toys collect dust, and some kids like to put them in their mouth. Washing them every once in a while will help limit the amount of dust they hold on to, and is probably just good for the toys anyway. While you're at it, it might be a good idea to wipe down some of the other toys too. Can't hurt.
1) https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/csem.asp?csem=34&po=10
a) Citrasolv Window and Glass Cleaner b) ECOS Window Cleaner c) GreenShield Organic Glass Cleaner d) Honest Company Glass and Window Cleaner e) Method Glass and Surface Cleaner f) Simple Green Naturals Glass and Surface Cleaner g) Stoner Premium Invisible Glass Cleaner h) Whole Foods Market Glass Cleaner
We rely on EWG's consumer databases, the Think Dirty App, and GoodGuide in addition to consumer reviews and widespread availability of products to generate these recommendations. Learn more on our methodology page.
*Because Health is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program so that when you click through our Amazon links, a percentage of the proceeds from your purchases will go to Because Health. We encourage you to shop locally, but if you do buy online buying through our links will help us continue the critical environmental health education work we do. Our participation does not influence our product recommendations. To read more about how we recommend products, go to our methodology page.
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