.: Kitchen and Bath - No Noxious
Fumes :.
Natural Citrus Cleaner and Degreaser
Let's start with the two hardest rooms to clean: the kitchen
and the bathroom. It's important to keep a lid on germs in both
places. But you don't want to spend hours scrubbing tile and
countertops.
One of our favorite eco-friendly companies is Seventh
Generation. Their products, made from natural, non-toxic,
biodegradeable vegetable-based surfactants, are some of the
best for tough cleaning jobs. For heavy duty kitchen stains
from stove to counter top, we like the Natural
Citrus Cleaner and Degreaser. It uses the power of citrus
to cut through tough stains but doesn't give off those noxious
fumes strong chemical cleansers do. In the bathroom, take on
your toilet with their Natural
Mint Toilet Bowl Cleaner - no acids or caustics here.
When it comes time to do the dishes, Seventh Generation's dishwasher
detergent and liquid
dish soap get the job done effectively and naturally without
putting harmful phosphates or chlorine into the water supply.
Another eco-friendly company we love is Method. They
also utilize natural surfactants that work by absorbing dirt
rather than chemically degrading it. Their design sense can't
be beat - when is the last time a dish
liquid bottle could pass for abstract art? In the bathroom
we like their Tub & Tile
cleaner. It will clean hard water stains, soap scum, and
even the bleach and ammonia residue other cleansers leave behind.
That'll keep it from finding its way onto your skin (yuck).
Method's All
Purpose Cleaner is great for quickly cleaning kitchen
and bathroom surfaces. It comes in a variety of natural scents
to make everything smell as clean as it looks. (We like lavender
the best.) If you're sensitive to scents, go with Seventh Generation's Free
and Clear All Purpose Cleaner.
.: Surface to Surface - No Residue Left Behind :.
BabyGanics Glass & Surface Cleaner
Wood, glass, granite, steel, plastic - between furniture, countertops,
electronics, and 'stuff', every home has a plethora of surfaces
to clean.
BabyGanics
Healthy Home products are particularly concerned with
the health of babies and children. Since kids are even more
susceptible to harm from household chemicals, it's important
to clean anywhere they might be with safe, non-toxic products.
For glass we like their Glass & Surface
cleaner. All natural and a streak-free shine. What more
could you ask?
Method's Wood
for Good is so amazing that we've completely forgotten
about Pledge and Endust. Not only does it really clean and
nourish wood, but the almond smell is heavenly.
Some wood needs more than just dusting, it needs protection.
For that, you'll need a good wax. Sweet Grass Farmhouse
Furniture Wax combines carnauba, beeswax, olive oil, and
lemon oil (but leaves out the silicone) to protect and restore
natural wood finishes.
Save money while also saving the earth and pick up Method's Microfiber
Cloths
for
specialty surfaces. Instead of wasting paper towels cleaning windows, wood, steel, marble
and granite, use these fantastic cloths to trap dust and
dirt without harming your surfaces. They're also great for
allergies - the dust doesn't fly into the air (or your nose)
when you use them. Combine with Method's specialtycleansers for
the perfect clean. Then just rinse or toss in the laundry to
use again and again (and again).
You can't use most cleaners on electronics and computer keyboards.
But these surfaces are major dust traps with their tiny crevices
and delicate components. Most folks turn to compressed air in
a can, but even that is not eco-clean. Many contain fluorocarbons
(CFCS), halons, carbon tetrachloride, or methyl chloroform. Instead,
harness the power of your vacuum for
delicate dusting with the 9
piece vacuum attachment kit from Ziotek.
.: Whole House - Allergies Start With Your
Floor :.
Dyson DC15 The Ball All Floors Vacuum
Allergy sufferers and the chemically sensitive alike owe a lot
of their problems to the stuff that collects on the floor. For
carpet, your best bet is a great vacuum with a good HEPA filter.
Dyson's DC15
The Ball All Floors Vacuum
is
pricey, but worth it. If you don't need an upright, we suggest
the goClean
canister Wet/Dry Vac. Both are amazingly powerful and the
HEPA filter will keep allergens out of your (nose)hair. (Save
10% on both with coupon TGTSAVE3 .)
Though they're not as maligned for holding on to dust and mites,
wood, linoleum and tile floors are allergen-breedng culprits
as well. Wood floors get the royal treatment from Method's wonderfully
almond-scented Wood
for Good floor care. BabyGanics Floor
Cleaner Concentrate (lavender or unscented) keeps your linoleum
and tile floors safe for crawlers. One bottle will last you a
good long while.
Keep your floors (walls, countertops,
tiles, and just about every other surface in the house) meticulously
clean and invest in an Advanced Vapor Technologies Ladybug
steam cleaning system for
both heavy duty and light maintenance cleaning. Using only the
natural power of steam (no chemicals, no soaps, no additives)
and its amazing attachments, the Ladybug cleans and sanitizes
surfaces with a minimum of fuss. It's the ultimate in eco-clean.
After you finish cleaning, keep every room smelling great without
blocking your outlets. Bamboo
Fragrance Sticks are very trendy at the moment. Place a
diffusion set in each room for long-lasting, light scent. To
freshen up upholstery, Sweet Grass Farm's Room & Linen
Spray leaves nothing but a hint of lavender behind.
