Durability is an important aspect of green products and green living. Taking care of your furniture so that it lasts for decades is one element of durability. Especially these days when so much furniture is 'box' furniture made to throw away after a short period of time — and its expensive. Whether purchasing quality sustainable furniture such as we offer here at GreenSage, or buying box furniture elsewhere, here's some tips on green cleaning upholstery and toxic-free polishing your wood.

Upholstery Cleaning
Upholstery cleaners may contain similar products to dry cleaning solutions. They may contain perchloroethylene, a known carcinogin and central nervous system toxicant and naphthalene, a suspected carciinogen considered "toxic by inhalation"  (Condensed Chemical Dictionary). They may also contain ethanol, ammonia and detergents. Aerosol products should especially be avoided. 

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

Make your own Alternatives
Upholstery Cleaner
1/4 cup liquid castile soap
3 tablespoons water
Blend in bowl and rub foam into upholstery with a cotton cloth.  Rinse with a sponge.

Tips
Use a steam cleaner with plain water or a less toxic cleaner to clean upholstery.
Purchase furniture with covers that can be removed and washed or dry cleaned using water process. Beware of stain resistant fabrics as chemical coatings are often formaldehyde based, which can cause problems for sensitive people.


Spot Removers
Spot removers are often made with highly toxic petrochemical solvents including toluene and xylene which are neurotoxic and can cause reproductive damage, tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene) which is carcinogenic, neurotoxic and an eye and kin irritant, and petroleum distillates which can cause eye, skin and respiritaory irritation and is neurotoxic. They may also include petroleum spirits, sodium dithionate, TEA, and 1,1, 1-trichloroethane.

Less-toxic Alternatives
• Earth Friendly Products - Stain and Odor Remover (contains d-limonene)
• ECOgent - General Purpose Cleaner and Stain Removal
• Natural Chemistry Stain and Odor remover

Make your own Alternatives
General Spot Remover
1/4 cup borax dissolved in hot water.  Let cool.  Sponge on fabrics or carpets.

Pre-treating Stain Remover
1/2 cup ammonia
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup baking soda
2 Tbsp. liquid soap
2 litres water
Mix all ingredients in a spray bottle and label it. Shake well before each use. Spray liquid onto stain and let sit for a few minutes. Rinse well with clear water soaked white cloth.
Spills and stains should be cleaned immediately for best results.
Club soda will remove many stains.  Rub into spot and clean off with a sponge.  For tougher stains, mix baking soda with club soda.


Furniture Polish
Furniture polishes can contain nitrobenzene, a carcinogen, reproductive toxin and central nervous system toxicant which can be absorbed through the skin, phenol, a carcinogen and severe skin irritant, as well as propane, butane gas, aliphatic naptha, petroleum distillates, white mineral oil and turpentine which are all neurotoxins, and may also be eye or skin irritants. Polishes may contain morpholine, a severe irritant which may cause kidney damage, as well as ammonia, detergents, and synthetic fragrance,  Aerosol products create microscopic particles that can be inhaled deeply into lungs and transferred to the bloodstream. Some products contain carcinogenic formaldehyde and nitrosamines.  

Less-toxic Alternatives
• Clapham’s Beeswax Salad Bowl finish, Furniture Polish (Lee Valley Tools or www.claphams.com)
• Earth Friendly Products - Furniture Polish (contains d-limonene)
• Guitar/violin polish - unscented, available in music stores

Make your own Alternatives
Option 1: Polish with plain olive oil, almond or walnut oil. Shake well and apply a small amount to a soft rag.  Spread evenly over furniture surface.  Polish with a dry cloth.

Option 2: Polish with 1 cup olive oil, almond or walnut oil to which you've added 1/2 cup vinegar or lemon juice. Shake well and apply a small amount to a soft rag.  Spread evenly over furniture surface.  Polish with a dry cloth.

Option 3: Polish with food grade mineral oil. Although it is petroleum based, it is non-volatile and relatively safe. Available in drug stores. Shake well and apply a small amount to a soft rag.  Spread evenly over furniture surface.  Polish with a dry cloth