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Green Cleaning Dishes by Hand
Dishwashing Liquid (Hand)
Most dishwashing liquids contain detergents, coal tar based colors, and artificial fragrance. They may contain Quarternium 15, an eye and skin irritant which can release carcinogenic formaldehyde. If the label says "Do not use with chlorine bleach", then the product probably contains ammonia. Many dyes are known to be carcinogenic; they can penetrate the skin and be deposited on dishes. Conventional detergents are petroleum-based.
Less-toxic Alternatives
• Bioasis Dishwasher Detergent
• Down East - Dishwashing Liquid
• Nature Clean - Natural Dishwashing Detergent
• Seventh Generation - Natural Dish Liquid
Green Cleaning Dishes in the Dishwasher
Dishwasher Detergents
Many dishwasher detergents contain dry chlorine which is activated when dissolved in water. Chlorine fumes in the steam that leaks from dishwashers may cause eye irritation and difficulty breathing. Dishwasher detergents may also contain quarternium 15, an eye and skin irritant and an allergen which can release carcinogenic formaldehyde. Dyes and artificial fragrances are common ingredients.
Less-toxic Alternatives
• Down East - Dishwashing Powder
• Nature Clean - Natural Dishwasher Powder
• Seventh Generation - Automatic Dishwashing Detergent
Make your own Alternatives
Mix equal parts of borax and baking soda and store in a tightly sealed container. Use 2 tablespoons per load. If you have hard water, double the amount of baking soda in your mixture. For either mixture, use vinegar in the rinse cycle.
 Sodium hexametaphosphate can be used instead of dishwasher detergent. The amount required will vary depending on hardness of water.
Scouring Powders
Most scouring powders contain bleach, a sensitizer, crystalline silica, a carcinogen, and oxalic acid dihydrate, an allergen. All three substances are also strong irritants. Bleach can upset the balance in septic tanks by killing helpful bacteria.
Less-toxic Alternatives
• Baking Soda
• Bon Ami Scouring Powder (our favorite!)
• Down East - Scouring Powder
Make your own Alternative
1 cup baking soda
1 cup borax
1 cup regular salt
Combine ingredients and keep in tightly closed container.
Microfibre cloths can be used in many situations to remove grime without chemicals. They are especially good on tubs, sinks and stoves because they won't scratch the surfaces, but the tiny wedge shaped fibers will cut through dirt.
Disinfectants
It's doubtful whether disinfectants are needed at all for most household uses. Ordinary cleanliness is sufficient to eliminate hazardous bacteria. Soap, water and rubbing (the old "wash your hands" requirement) is the best method to prevent disease. The fad for disinfectants and anti-bacterials is based on a false fear of germs. Homes do not require the same types of cleaning as hospitals, where disease and infection is common.
Besides being a waste of money, some brands of disinfectants use highly caustic chemicals like sodium hydroxide, sodium hypochlorite and phosphoric acid that can burn eyes and skin. Breathing vapours can burn lungs. Disinfectants may also contain phenols which can damage DNA as well as the liver, kidney and nervous systems, cresol, a suspected carcinogen and respiratory toxin, formaldehyde, a carcinogen, sensitizer and suspected central nervous system depressant, chlorine , a lung irritant, and alcohol. There are more than 300 different active ingredients approved for use in anti-microbial products, ingredients classified by the EPA as pesticides, because they kill microbes. In the Journal of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Dr. Elaine Larson wrote that because of potential health risks, antibacterial agents and disinfectants should be reserved for hospitals and home care of patients with suppressed immune systems.
Scientists are also concerned that products containing antibacterial and anti-microbial agents kill beneficial bacteria and contribute to the creation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Not all bacteria will be killed by antibacterial agents. The surviving bacteria are resistant to antibiotics and go on to produce new generations of resistant bacteria. Triclosan, one of the most popular antibacterial agents, creates dioxin, a carcinogen, as a by-product. Triclosan is a derivative of 2,4-D, an herbicide. There is concern that use of antibacterial products may affect human health. A Swedish study found high levels of this bactericide in human breast milk. See also anti-bacterials.
Less-toxic Alternatives
• Alcohol
• Hydrogen peroxide - drugstore dilution. Use undiluted..
• 20 Mule Team Borax
• Zephiran Chloride 17% (1 part to 10 parts water)
Make your own Alternatives
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Disinfecting/Deodorizing Cleaner
Add 1/2 cup of borax to 4 litres of warm water.
One hospital used this formulation for cleaning for a year. The monitoring bacteriologist reported that the solution satisfied the hospital’s germicidal requirements.
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Disinfectant
Mix 2 teaspoons borax, 4 tablespoons vinegar and 3 cups hot water. For stronger cleaning power add 1/4 teaspoon liquid castile soap. Wipe on with dampened cloth or use non-aerosol spray bottle.
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Tea Tree Disinfectant
20 drops tea tree oil (approx. 1/5 tsp. or 1 ml)
20 drops emulsifier
1 cup water or vinegar
Put emulsifier in container. Add oil and blend. Add 1cup water or vinegar.
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Cinnamon Disinfectant
12 drops cinnamon oil (approx. 1/8 tsp. or 0.6 ml)
12 drops emulsifier
1 cup water or vinegar
Put emulsifier in container. Add oil and blend. Add 1cup water or vinegar. Shake before using.
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Drain Openers
Drain cleaners usually contain sodium hydroxide and sodium hypochlorite, which can cause permanent damage to skin and eyes on contact. Vapors can burn lungs. These chemicals are often mixed with ammonia or volatile petroleum distillates. Drain cleaners may also contain dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride, a severe eye and skin irritant, and dichlorodifluromethane, an eye irritant which is also neurotoxic. Drain cleaners may be fatal if ingested. Biological products containing stabilized enzymes and bacteria are less toxic, equally effective and more environmentally friendly.
Less-toxic Alternatives
• Citra-Drain - contains d-limonene
• Earth Enzymes Drain Opener - available at health food stores
• TSP
Make your own Alternatives
Drain Cleaner
1/2 cup baking soda
1/2 cup white vinegar
Boiling water
Pour baking soda down drain. Add white vinegar and cover drain, if possible. Let sit for 5 minutes, then pour a kettle of boiling water down drain. (The vinegar and baking soda break down fatty acids, allowing the clog to wash down the drain.) This method can be used weekly to help prevent drain clogs. Do not use this method if you have used a commercial drain opener and it may still be present in the drain.
Drain Opener
Use a plunger. It may take a number of plunges to unclog the drain. Do not use this method if you have recently used a commercial drain opener as it may still be present in the drain ready to splash on your skin.
Drain Cleaner and Opener
Option 1: Use a wire coat hanger, cut to form one long 'stick' and straighten the curved hanger portion to be able to fit into the drain. Bend this end into a slight oval shaped curve about the size of your thumb. This wil help prevent accidental puncture of the drain pipe as well as more easiily help catch debris in the drain. Lower this end of bent hanger into the drain to fish out and catch the debris and gunk. Bring the clogging debris completely out of drain and put into trash or compost heap (as long as no commercial drain opener or other chemical has been used).
Option 2: Use a flexible metal snake. It is usually more effective than chemical drain openers. The mechanical snake may be purchased or rented. Thread it down the clogged drain to push away obstruction.
Oven Cleaners
Conventional oven cleaners create toxic fumes that can burn eyes, skin and internal organs. Lye and ammonia are often the cleaning agents and they are especially dangerous in aerosols.
Less-toxic Alternatives D’limonene is a sensitizer. Use with caution and ventilate well.
• Citra Solv - all-purpose cleaner and degreaser (contains d-limonene)
• Nature Clean - Natural Barbeque and Oven Cleaner (contains d-limonene)
• That Orange Stuff - (contains d-limonene)
Make your own Alternatives
Oven Cleaner A
In a spray bottle, mix 2 tablespoons liquid castile soap, 2 teaspoons borax and warm water to fill bottle. Dissolve completely. Spray on, keeping nozzle close to oven surface. Even though these are natural ingredients, it is best to wear goggles and rubber gloves. Leave solution on for 20 minutes, then scrub with nylon scrub pad and baking soda.
Oven Cleaner B
Scrub with paste of liquid all purpose cleaner and scouring powder.
Make a paste of baking soda and water and spread on oven interior. Leave overnight with oven door closed. Remove with sponge or nylon scrub pad. SOS pad can be used to remove stubborn bits.
Tips
While oven is still warm, sprinkle water on the spill, then sprinkle salt on it. When the oven cools down, scrape the spill away and wash the area.
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