In Poisoning Our Children, author Nancy Sokol Green writes that women who work at home have a 54% higher death rate from cancer than women who work outside the home. This figure came from a fifteen-year study, which concluded that the increased death rate was due to daily exposure to ordinary household products. Some experts report that 30% of all cancers are from exposure to toxic chemicals. Any chemical that touches the skin or is inhaled can be absorbed into the bloodstream and spread throughout the body. Dangerous cleaning products release toxic vapors even when they are just sitting in your cupboard, it’s called “out gassing.” Because many of our homes are so energy efficient, they trap those gasses - and we breathe them into our bodies.

So what can you do to protect your family? First, get rid of the existing poisons in your home. From now on, only use products made from natural, safe materials. Make sure the products you choose use only renewable, biodegradable ingredients and are free of artificial dyes and fragrances. There are many good choices available in the “health food section” of the grocery store and, of course, at natural food stores.

Even with natural cleaning products for sale, the most effective, safe and inexpensive cleaners I have ever used are vinegar and baking soda. I use baking soda to clean sinks, bathtubs, toilets, glass baking pans, anything that is greasy or needs scrubbing. Vinegar cleans windows and many surfaces. Vinegar mixed with baking soda is a powerful, safe cleaner and will “bubble” things clean. These two products can do it all and help to get rid of the clutter under your sink - another step towards healthy spring cleaning!

Safe Alternatives to Toxic Household Products
From How to Make the World a Better Place by Jeffrey A. Hollander (Morrow Publishers)

Air Freshener: Set out ½ cup vinegar in an open dish, or open a window.
All-Purpose Cleaner: Use 1 cup vinegar and 1 cup baking soda in 2 quarts water.
Drain Cleaner: Pour 2 cups baking soda or salt down the drain; follow with 2 cups vinegar. After ten minutes, pour 2 quarts boiling water down the drain. This method will keep drains running clear and free of odors.
Furniture Polish: Use 1 teaspoon lemon oil in 1 pint of mineral oil.
Oven Cleaner: Mix equal amounts of baking soda and salt. Add enough water to make a paste; scrub and rinse.
Spot Remover: Treating the stain immediately is the trick. Make a paste out of laundry detergent for most stains. Use shampoo on a grease stain. Use cool water so you don’t “set” the stain.
Silver Cleaner: Soak silver in 1 quart warm water containing 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt, and a piece of aluminum foil. Soak for ½ hour, rinse thoroughly and rub dry.
Window Cleaner: Mix equal amounts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray and wipe dry.