I like a clean house, but I'm concerned about all the chemicals in cleaners, particularly because we have a two-year-old son, a dog, two cats and a fish. Are there any suggestions for healthy options to keep a clean house that won't harm its inhabitants?
Tracy Quinn McLennan
Managing Editor
BobVila.com
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Besides letting the dog and cat eat all the crumbs from the floor.
there are lots of ways to keep the house cleaner and Greener.
I would start with a whole house air filtration system. This will not only help control dust, dander, allergens, odors and beasties. there are no chemicals released and best of all no work involved.
There are also two good articles on this site for cleaning indoors:
http://www.bobvila.com/HowTo_Library/Green_Cleaning_Indoors-Cleaning-A3314.html
And Outdoors:
http://www.bobvila.com/HowTo_Library/Green_Cleaning_Outdoors-Cleaning-A3316.html
My personal favorite cleaner is white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. So safe you can use it to spritz your organic salad. Then clean the counter with it.
there are lots of ways to keep the house cleaner and Greener.
I would start with a whole house air filtration system. This will not only help control dust, dander, allergens, odors and beasties. there are no chemicals released and best of all no work involved.
There are also two good articles on this site for cleaning indoors:
http://www.bobvila.com/HowTo_Library/Green_Cleaning_Indoors-Cleaning-A3314.html
And Outdoors:
http://www.bobvila.com/HowTo_Library/Green_Cleaning_Outdoors-Cleaning-A3316.html
My personal favorite cleaner is white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. So safe you can use it to spritz your organic salad. Then clean the counter with it.
Clean and Green
Ironically, many products that make our homes super clean actually make our environment dirty. Fortunately, now you don't have to choose between home and environment — and you can save money at the same time. Here are some tips that can help you and the environment, from Earth Share, a nonprofit organization that focuses on environmental education.
Air fresheners: Simmer a small amount of cinnamon, orange peel, and cloves on the stove to give off a pleasant fragrance in your home.
Glass cleaner: Mix 2 tablespoons of borax or washing soda with three cups of water for sparkling windows and mirrors.
Carpet freshener: Sprinkle dry cornstarch or baking soda on your carpet and vacuum.
There are more recipes here: http://tinyurl.com/5gmx9f
Source: ManageMyHome.com
Ironically, many products that make our homes super clean actually make our environment dirty. Fortunately, now you don't have to choose between home and environment — and you can save money at the same time. Here are some tips that can help you and the environment, from Earth Share, a nonprofit organization that focuses on environmental education.
Air fresheners: Simmer a small amount of cinnamon, orange peel, and cloves on the stove to give off a pleasant fragrance in your home.
Glass cleaner: Mix 2 tablespoons of borax or washing soda with three cups of water for sparkling windows and mirrors.
Carpet freshener: Sprinkle dry cornstarch or baking soda on your carpet and vacuum.
There are more recipes here: http://tinyurl.com/5gmx9f
Source: ManageMyHome.com
You can go online and order organic cleaning products from some high-end places. They are so worth it though
Take all his valuable stuff, he won't care because he's dead! ;) The rest, do what everyone else is saying, call a cleaning service.
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I also have a toddlers and have been worried about keeping the house clean and healthy, without toxic chemicals. I read a stat the other day that 'Babies crawling on the floor inhale a pollution equivalent of four cigarettes a day'. - a scary statistic for a parent of a 2 year old. So what about cleaning carpets? Are there safer ways to clean than using typical carpet cleaner?
