Non-toxic cleaning of floors is problematic simply because floors are a very large percent of our living environment, and the most likely to need cleaning the most often, especially when kids are around.

Hard Surface Floor Cleaning, Wax, Polish
Conventional products often contain mineral spirits and petroleum solvents, both of which are neurotoxic and can cause severe eye and skin irritation as well as Stoddard  solvent which is also neurotoxic. Petroleum solvents may contain traces of carcinogenic benzene.  Some wax removers with ammonia contain tripropylene glycol monomethyl ether which can cause narcosis and kidney injury with repeated and prolonged skin exposure.  

Less-toxic Alternatives
• Down East  - All purpose Cleaner
• Microfibre mop - use with plain water ( Expensive but a real revolution in mop technology. Rinses cleaner than other mop heads and saves money by eliminating cleaning products. Safe for hardwood floors.)
• Nature Clean - Natural Floor Cleaner
• TSP (trisodium phosphate) can be used to eliminate  built up dirt and grime. Use with care, it can dull or remove finishes on wood.
 
Make your own Alternatives
Floor Cleaner: Add 1 cup of vinegar to a pail of water.

Stronger Floor Cleaner:
1/4 cup washing soda
1 tablespoon liquid castille soap
1/4 cup vinegar
8 litres hot water
Mix well to dissolve washing soda

Wood Floor Cleaner
1/4 cup liquid castille soap
1/2 to 1 cup vinegar
8 litres warm water

Wood Floor Polish A		Wood Floor Oil Polish B
1/8 cup olive oil or other vegetable oil 1 tablespoon vinegar 1 tablespoon vodka		Rub with olive oil, almond or walnut oil.
For both A and B, apply a small amount to a soft rag. Test on your floor to determine if this is to your liking. Spread evenly over surface. Polish with a dry cloth.

Wood Floor Wax
1 cup olive, almond or walnut oil
1/2 cup vodka
30 - 40 grams grated beeswax
40 - 55 grams carnauba wax (depends on hardness desired).
Put oil and the waxes into a wide-mouth glass jar or tin can and set in pot of simmering water.  Stir gently until waxes are dissolved. Remove from heat and add vodka, mixing well. Allow to harden. Use a rag to rub into the wood. If the rag "drags" too much, dip it into a tiny bit of oil.
 

Carpet Vacuuming, Cleaning & Deoderizing

Vacuums
Vacuum cleaners work by sucking air, along with dirt and debris, into a paper or cloth filter bag.  In theory, dirt and debris stay in the bag while the air is exhausted back into the room.  However, a large percentage of the particulate matter (very fine particles) is often blown back into the room, depending on the quality of the vacuum cleaner.  Particulate matter can contain dust mite fragments and feces, soil, lint, human and pet hair, human and pet dander, mould spores, pollen grains and pesticide residues.  Vacuuming can provoke allergic and asthmatic attacks in susceptible people. A good quality vacuum is especially important where there is carpeting, as carpet can store a large amount of contaminants.

Best Options:
• Central Vacuums - Central vacuums vented outside eliminate the problem of recirculating particulate matter.  The motor can be located away from the main living area, reducing noise and any fumes created.  Central vacs can be vented indoors but outdoor venting is cleaner and healthier.
• HEPA-Filtered Vacuums - Many vacuums now use HEPA filters.  HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Arresting.  These filters are made of synthetic materials so that most particulate matter cannot pass through.  There are varying qualities of HEPA vacuums.  People with severe allergies will want a true HEPA vacuum while people interested in capturing just moulds and pollens can opt for a less expensive HEPA-like vacuum. (Some older vacuums can be retro-fitted with HEPA filter attachments.)
• More efficient vacuum cleaner bags, designed to capture more of the particulate matter, can be purchased to fit some regular vacuums from vacuum cleaner shops.

Any vacuum filter is only as good as the seal around the filter  which prevents leakage.

Carpet Cleaning
Carpet cleaners can contain perchloroethylene, a known human carcinogen which can have immediate central nervous system (CNS) effects including dizziness, sleepiness, nausea, tremors and disorientation as well as long term CNS effects. Napthalene, which the Condensed Chemical Dictionary describes as "toxic by inhalation" is another common ingredient. Carpet cleaners may also include butyl cellosolve, a central nervous system toxin, propylene glycol methyl ether which is an eye, skin and respiratory irritant, aliphatic petroleum solvent which is neurotoxic and isopropyl alcohol which is carcinogenic at high concentrations. They may also include detergents which can irritate skin, the carcinogen1,4-dioxane, ethanol, ammonia and fragrances. In areas where there is a large quantity of carpet, the amount of chemicals released from carpet cleaners and deodorizers can be considerable.

Less-toxic Alternatives
• Down East - All purpose cleaner
• Earth Friendly Products - Stain and Odor Remover (contains d-limonene)
• ECOgent - Carpet Cleaner
• Nature Clean - Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner
• Nok Out - Odor destroyer

Make your own Alternatives
Carpet Stain Remover A
In a 500 ml spray bottle: Fill one-half the bottle with warm water.  Fill rest of bottle with vinegar, to within one inch from top.  Add 1 tablespoon liquid castile soap. Label bottle.  Spray on carpet stains until stain is soaked.  With a damp cloth, rub the stain out. Apply to stain as soon as possible.

Carpet Stain Remover B
We successfully use Hydrogen-peroxide, 3% solution sight out of the bottle for spot cleaning our all natural, non-dyed carpeting. At less than $1.00 for a 16 oz. size andd esaily available at most grocery and drug stores, its hard to beat. Alternatively, non-bleach laundry whiteners that are primarily peroxide can be used. We sugget you first test a small out of the way patch of carpeting to determine if these will work on your carpeting.

Heavy Duty Carpet Cleaner
Mix  1/4 cup each of salt, borax and vinegar.  Rub paste into carpet and leave for a few hours.  Vacuum.

Tips
It is not necessary to use products designed for carpet cleaning machines. Any less toxic, concentrated heavy duty cleaning liquid will work.  Start off with a small amount of cleanser and adjust if necessary. First fill the tank with water and then put in the cleaner. You need to avoid creating a lot of suds so simply swirl the liquid around in the water until it's distributed. Then shampoo. If using a rented machine, you may want to clean the tank first to eliminate residue from previously used products.

Ask commercial carpet cleaning companies to clean using only water and baking soda, steam, or club soda. 


Carpet Deodorizers
Most carpet deodorizers contain heavy fragrances.

Make your own Alternatives
Sprinkle baking soda on carpet. Let sit a few hours or overnight, then vacuum well.