Re: Cleaning products

[Guest guest]

Hi

Because I have MCS and I no longer use anything toxic I only use

baking soda and vinegar to clean my house. I use ecover dishwashing

soap, nature clean bleach and laundry soap. Water and vinegar are all

that is needed for windows. For my toilet I use baking soda, a little

dish soap and a toilet brush which is all that is needed.

The baking soda I buy at the health food store in a ten pound bag and

they sell all the other products I mentioned above also. Nature clean

is a Canadian company but there are American equivalents everywhere.

I hope this helps. Take care

Laurie

> What does everyone recommend for natural cleaning products? I'm

> looking to replace these things and not sure what are good

> replacements. I have a friend who uses vinegar and water to

clean.

> Blessings,

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I'll make this two postings, to keep things not too long. :- )

In this postings, I'll list easy everyday kitchen ingredients you can

use as well as a great website for products and recipes.

In my second posting, I'll list what I use (I managed to use only a

few easy ingredients for all my needs).

There are many good ready-made alternative products out there. Your

choice will depend on your preferences, and degree of sensitivity if

it's an issue. The general idea is to have a few safe products that

can be used all around, rather than tons of them... this is a basic

approach among people with MCS. :- )

(1) List of basic products to use:

- BAKING SODA: All-purpose, non toxic cleaner. Cleans, deodorizes,

scours, polishes, removes stains

- BORAS: Deodorizes, removes stains and boosts the cleaning power of

soap. Also prevents molds and odours.

- VINEGAR: Removes mildew, stains, greases and wax buildup. Great

glass cleaner.

- CORNSTARCH: Cleans and deodorises carpets and rugs.

- LEMON JUICE: Cuts through grease and stains on aluminum and

porcelain.

- PURE SOAP: Cleans everything

- TABLE SALT: Mild desinfectant and makes an abrasive, but gentle,

scouring powder.

- WASHING SODA (e.g.: Arm & Hammer): Cuts grease and disinfects.

Increases the cleaning power of soap.

(2) The Guide To Less Toxic Products, from the Nova Scotia Allergy

and Environmental Health Association (NS-AEHA):

http://www.lesstoxicguide.ca/

- This website lists toxic ingredients found in regular products and

their effect on health, as well as a detailed list of products and

home-made products, for all your needs; it's excellent.

- It's a good idea to read the " Consumer Advice " section (e.g.,

caution, re: ingredients inf safe products can change, thus making

the product unsafe.

- There are several sections on the website; just click on the

required section at the left of the page.

- A word of CAUTION concerning ammonia: On one hand, this link lists

ammonia as a toxic substance, but on the other hand, also lists

ammonia in some of the home-made recipes... duh! DO NOT USE AMMONIA!

The rest of the products and recipes are ok.

Hope this helps.

Fran

[Guest guest]

wrote:

> What would be your replacements for things like:

> TIDE laundry detergent - I use Nature Clean's liquid detergent; in

fact it only take 1/4 cup per load and after two washings I noticed

how extremely soft the clothes, towels, etc. became.

> Bleach for clothes - I use Oxyclean in my laundry.

> Cascade dishwasher detergent - Nature Clean has a dishwashing

detergent.

> Pinesol floor cleaner - I don't use any soap or cleaner - just

water and sometimes vinegar.

> Windex window/surface cleaner - White vinegar & water in a spray

bottle - I have the proportions at home.

> Tub/Toilet/Sink cleaner - white vinegar & water in a spray bottle, or

liquid cleansers (but use rubber gloves) - I haven't checked but there

has to be a good cleanser at the health store.

> Joy dish soap - Nature Clean or some other brand at the health store.

> Pledge for wood - linseed oil or lemon oil - no sprays (but use

gloves) when applying them.

Bee

[Guest guest]

--- ourpeacefulriver <ourpeacefulriver@...>

wrote:

> What does everyone recommend for natural cleaning

> products?

Hi ,

In Hulda 's book " The Cure for All Diseases " , she

has a section on how to make natural cleaning

products. So far, the only one I've tried (and which

has worked good) is her substitute for dishwasher

detergent. For each batch of dishes, you need to

dissolve 2 tsp. Borax (20 Mule Team Borax is available

at Walmart) in water and put this into the detergent

cup that closes. Then use vinegar in the rinse water.

In my dishwasher, there's an automatic dispenser for

Jet-Dry. I put my vinegar in that. This has really

worked good for me, but maybe it's because I pre-rinse

all my dishes prior to putting them in the dishwasher.

Blessings,

____________________________________________________

Start your day with - make it your home page

http://www./r/hs

[Guest guest]

Hi again ,

For all the products you listed, the Guide to less toxic products

hyperlink has great suggestions as to safe brands (e.g.: Ecogent,

Nature Clean, etc); (don't forget NOT TO use ammonia):

http://www.lesstoxicguide.ca/index.asp?fetch=household

This is what I use to clean:

- Nature Clean all-purpose liquid lotion: For dishes; floors; all

surfaces; bathroom; clothes stains (undiluted); (can also be used for

laundry).

- Baking soda: For scouring pots, pans and baking dishes, etc.;

removing stains on counters; faucets/metal surfaces, etc.

(Note: I also use baking soda to clean my teeth.)

- Water: Mirrors

- Vinegar: garbage containers (kitchen, bathroom): Spray undiluted

vinegar inside the container; let sit; wash with diluted solution of

vinegar and water, or with Nature Clean all-purpose liquid lotion.

(Note I: I am allergic to vinegar, so I make sure to not be in the same

room as vinegar is used, and not use it on too large a surface, and

rinse/remove it thoroughly afterwards.)

- Borax: I have used it to disinfect rags, kitchen clothes, garbage

containers, toilet bowls, etc. Not I just use vinegar.

For your list of products - Alternatives:

- TIDE LAUNDRY DETERGENT: Nature Clean powder laundry soap

(I tolerated well President's Choice scent, phosphate and dye free

laundry soap until the company changed the formulation. Now I react to

it and do not recommend it, nor do I recommend Tide scent-free soap..

they also changed the formulation)

- BLEACH FOR CLOTHES:

(1) TO DISINFECT RAGS, KITCHEN CLOTHES, etc.: Vinegar, undiluted: Put

the clothes in the machine (or in a bucket); fill with water to the

minimum; pour lots of vinegar; let agitate a bit to mix well; let sit

for 15-30 minutes (you can also go ahead with the whole cycle right

away, if not too dirty); finish cycle; wash with laundry soap.

(2) TO REMOVE STAINS AND WITHEN CLOTHES: Nature Clean natural Laundry

bleach, for whites and colours.

- CASCADE DISHWASHER DETERGENT: Nature Clean dishwasher soap. Pour

1/4 cup vinegar to dishwasher rinse cycle for streak free,

sparkling dishes.

- PINESOL FLOOR CLEANER: Nature Clean liquid all-purpose lotion; 1/2

cup vinegar to a gallon of water to keep your vinyl no wax

floors clean and shining.

- WINDEX WINDOW/SURFACE CLEANER:

(1) WINDOWS AND MIRRORS: Vinegar, 50/50 vinegar and water.

(2) SURFACE CLEANER: Baking soda is a great surface cleaner (removes

stains, disinfects, deodorises; works wonders on counters, faucets,

etc. I use it as I would comet. Also: Nature Clean all-purpose liquid

lotion.

- TUB/TOILET/SINK CLEANER: Baking soda;works really well. Also, Nature

clean all-purpose liquid lotion. Toilet: I first pour vinegar and let

it sit (you can do the same with Borax), then flush and wash the bowl

with Nature Clean all-purpose liquid lotion.

- JOY DISH SOAP: Nature Clean all-purpose liquid lotion; To scour pots

and pans, use baking soda.

- PLEDGE FOR WOOD: olive oil and lemon juice: Plain olive oil, or home-

made recipe of 1 cup olive oil, almond or walnut oil, and 1/2 cup

vinegar or lemon juice (mix well).

Hope this helps as well. There are many, many more uses for vinegar; if

you want, I can forward the list to you.

Fran :- )

[Guest guest]

I used a mixture of borax, vinegar & baking soda to scrub down my tub & tile

surrounds, then rinsed with the shower head extension. Worked great! Haven't

tried it in the toilets yet tho.

Shaklee's has non-toxic cleaning, dish washing & laundry products too.

They're even good to spray on ant trails & spray garden plants & veggies to

discourage aphids, worms, ants, etc from harming & eating them.

I buy Mountain Green liquid laundry detergent at the health food store &

use it to wash my dishes too. I use a mix of lemon juice & salt to rub into

clothing spots, put them in the sun, then wash.

Lemon juice & hydrogen peroxide is a good formula to soak whites in before

washing. I also use an apple cider vinegar/hydrogen peroxide solution to

spray on veggies before eating or cooking. Also to wash dishes by hand with

the Mountain Green for disinfecting & cleaning the counter tops.

Only water is used to wash floors here & sometimes a bit of the Mountain

Green laundry detergent.

Vinegar & water is great to spray on windows & mirrors & wipe off.

From: " Bee Wilder " <beeisbuzzing2003@...>

> wrote:

>> What would be your replacements for things like:

>> TIDE laundry detergent - I use Nature Clean's liquid detergent; in

> fact it only take 1/4 cup per load and after two washings I noticed

> how extremely soft the clothes, towels, etc. became.

>

>> Bleach for clothes - I use Oxyclean in my laundry.

>> Cascade dishwasher detergent - Nature Clean has a dishwashing

> detergent.

>

>> Pinesol floor cleaner - I don't use any soap or cleaner - just water and

>> sometimes vinegar.

>

>> Windex window/surface cleaner - White vinegar & water in a spray >

>> bottle - I have the proportions at home.

>

>> Tub/Toilet/Sink cleaner - white vinegar & water in a spray bottle, or

> liquid cleansers (but use rubber gloves) - I haven't checked but there

> has to be a good cleanser at the health store.

>

>> Joy dish soap - Nature Clean or some other brand at the health store.

>

>> Pledge for wood - linseed oil or lemon oil - no sprays (but use

> gloves) when applying them.

>

> Bee

[Guest guest]

Hi , I'll add to other comments that...

Hulda 's main reason for alternative cleaners is that propylene glycol

(among other

chemicals) is used as a preservative in nearly everything off the shelf these

days and propylene glycol is the chemical that causes parasitic eggs to hatch

in the human body, that is if you have parasitic eggs in your body. It can also

concentrate in certain organs to produce cancer. *Warning!* propylene glycol is

also used as a preservative in foods such as cake mixes, pancake mix and lard.

Read your lables!

Most common source of propylene glycol is Radiator Fluid in the form of

antifreeze.

I stopped using Borax when I learned it could poison the water table. I find

that ¼-1/2 cup of

washing soda gets my clothes clean even in hard water. I use baking soda for

scrubbing and

polishing the dishes, countertops, sink and bathtub and vinegar for rinsing and

bleaching. A

mixture of ½ - 1 cup of baking soda in warm water clears drains and neutralizes

odor. Wait 30

minutes and pour down a cup of vinegar to make sure all debris is dissolved.

I'm planning on switching to raw egg to wash my hair. It works pretty well but

you may need more

than one egg if your hair is thick. I keep vinegar in a sprayer in the shower to

spray under my

arms, use as a hair rinse and to de-lime the shower curtain. It also gets rid of

toilet odor. For

underarm odor I spray with vinegar before washing but I also use baby powder

with zinc in it to

kill the germs. For perfume? Try a few drops of essential oils added to a vanity

bottle of vodka.

I also have an atomizer with orange drops that doubles as mosquito repellant.

Lol

--nh

--- ourpeacefulriver <ourpeacefulriver@...>

wrote:

>> What does everyone recommend for natural cleaning

>> products?

>

>

Hi ,

In Hulda 's book " The Cure for All Diseases " , she

has a section on how to make natural cleaning

products. So far, the only one I've tried (and which

has worked good) is her substitute for dishwasher

detergent. For each batch of dishes, you need to

dissolve 2 tsp. Borax (20 Mule Team Borax is available

at Walmart) in water and put this into the detergent

cup that closes. Then use vinegar in the rinse water.

In my dishwasher, there's an automatic dispenser for

Jet-Dry. I put my vinegar in that. This has really

worked good for me, but maybe it's because I pre-rinse

all my dishes prior to putting them in the dishwasher.

Blessings,

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

NH wrote...I also use baby powder with zinc in it to kill the germs.

Dear Nh

Baby powder is a lung irritant. It has much the same structure as

asbestos, just without the hooks. Use cornflour instead. Does the same

job and much safer!

Irene

[Guest guest]

My baby powder is made from cornstarch not talc. I'll try the cornflour though.

Thanks,

--nh

From: " isprey " <isprey@...>

Subject: Re: Cleaning Products

NH wrote...I also use baby powder with zinc in it to kill the germs.

Dear Nh

Baby powder is a lung irritant. It has much the same structure as

asbestos, just without the hooks. Use cornflour instead. Does the same

job and much safer!

Irene

--nh

______________________________________________________

Click here to donate to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort.

http://store./redcross-donate3/

[Guest guest]

Dear nh,

I think cornstarch is OK, pretty much the same as cornflour.

Irene

> My baby powder is made from cornstarch not talc. I'll try the

cornflour though.

>

> Thanks,

>

> --nh

>

> From: " isprey " <isprey@o...>

> Subject: Re: Cleaning Products

>

>

> NH wrote...I also use baby powder with zinc in it to kill the germs.

>

> Dear Nh

>

> Baby powder is a lung irritant. It has much the same structure as

> asbestos, just without the hooks. Use cornflour instead. Does the

same

> job and much safer!

>

> Irene

>

>

>

> --nh

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ______________________________________________________

> Click here to donate to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort.

> http://store./redcross-donate3/

[Guest guest]

Laurie, Fran, Bee & ,

I have been away on vacation so I'm very behind on the posts so

please forgive the delay in replying. THANK YOU for all the helpful

information on natural cleaning products. I can't wait to start

replacing things.

Fran I would be very interested to learn more uses for vinegar so

please do forward that list to me. Thank you for your long helpful

posts. I so appreciate your taking the time for me. ((Hugs))

Thank you all again...and if anyone else replied I thank you too...I

just haven't gotten to your posts yet. It's going to take a while

to read through the 300+ posts I've missed. LOL

Blessings,

--- " fgourd " wrote:

> Hi again ,

>

> For all the products you listed, the Guide to less toxic products

> hyperlink has great suggestions as to safe brands (e.g.: Ecogent,

> Nature Clean, etc); (don't forget NOT TO use ammonia):

> http://www.lesstoxicguide.ca/index.asp?fetch=household

> Hope this helps as well. There are many, many more uses for

vinegar; if

> you want, I can forward the list to you.

> Fran :- )

[Guest guest]

Check the files.. there are recipes for these things. Suzicgiambri <cgiambri@...> wrote: I waas using Seventh Generation laundry liquid but heard it has petroleum in it so I'm finished with that. Any suggestions now? What about dishliquid?How's Ecocover?Thanks. __________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

In regard to Borax and Baking Soda soap, I went to a home party about a year ago

on natural soaps and cleaners. The gal giving the talk started a company on her

own because she is very allergic to everything and she likes cleaning. She had

trouble whenever she used natural cleaners and was confused because the

ingredients listed never caused her trouble. After some research she learned

that the industry did not have to name all the ingredients if they were an

industry standard, just like food. She started making her own natural products

but they were not getting things clean so she hired a chemist who wanted to add

things that she refused to have in her cleaning products. After much work, she

finally has a product line that she likes and all the ingredients are listed.

She refused to use industry standard ingredients so that all ingredients listed

are the only ingredients used. After much thought, I decided to sell the

product line so I have it in my office in Cold Spring, but you can also go to

her website and order. The website I believe is simplyneutral.com Jane

Frieler