GreenStreet LI Home | Real Clean is Green Clean




Real Clean is Green Clean
2010-00-28 


You may not know what formaldehyde or chlorinated phenol smell like, but there is a good chance you have purchased and inhaled them.  According the EPA, they are two of the nearly 100 chemicals that pollute indoor air, and ironically, they come from products we use to clean our homes. Scary. But the good news is there are several ways to “green clean” your home.

GOOD:
Despite what TV ads say, a clean house doesn’t smell like morning dew or summer breeze, it’s odorless. Since the chemicals used to create fragrances can include terpenes and phthalates, using only scent-free cleaners can lower indoor toxins right away.

BETTER:
Many everyday cleaners contain alkalies and acids 
like Oxalic that are ideal for cutting grease and scum, but harmful when trapped in your home. For the same money, replace them with green cleaners like Seventh Generation, Simple Green or 
Mrs. Meyers.

BEST:
The greenest and cheapest way to clean is with items you probably have in your cabinets.  Baking soda and distilled white vinegar are two of the cheapest and most effective agents for keeping your home truly clean.

In green cleaners, look for ingredients like grain alcohol, eucalyptus, rosemary, or 
sage to replace toxic solvents and fragrances  

Replace toxic brands with homemade cleaners. Find 
recipes for cleaning everything from windows to hardwood 
at www.thedailygreen.com under “green homes” section.

Manufacturers of cleaning products are not required to list all ingredients on their labels but you can look them up yourself by product name at www.greenerchoices.org/eco-labels

One Simple Thing:
Rid your cabinets of toxic cleaners you don’t use. Spray aerosols into a sturdy paper bag, let dry and then toss. For unused spray and canned cleaners, call your town for instruction on proper disposal. For those you keep, always store and use them as directed.




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