GreenSage E-zine 01/2008

Green Cleaning and an Environmentally Sound Guide to Show You How
By Jon Dougal and Elaine Ireland

The U.S.EPA rates indoor air as up to five times more toxic than outside air, and we spend about 90% of our time indoors. So doesn't it make sense to try to eliminate any air borne toxins like those that emanate from harsh cleaning chemicals?

It is estimated that 33% of our cleaning products used by commercial cleaning companies contain chemicals that can irritate the skin, cause eye irritation, cancer and reproductive disorders. It is estimated that anywhere from 37 million to 60 million, or 9% to as many as 20% of Americans, suffer from chemical sensitivities. Chemicals from some cleaners can evaporate harmful vapors that can be the root cause.

Whether at home or at the office, eliminating these vapors is important to your health. Companies who experience increased absenteeism should check to see if what products their cleaning company uses.

Laundry detergents, general prupose cleaners and other products may contain nonylphenol ethoxylates, or NPE's, which when decomposed form a toxin lethal to aquatic life. Phosphates, found in dish-washer detergents, promote harmful algae growth. Petroleum (solvent) based cleaners make up a majority of the market. Use up and don't rebuy non-sustainable cleaners.

Responding to solve this problem is a new breed of cleaners and cleaning agent manufacturers. Eco-cleaners are competitively priced, easily available and administered by a new wave of eco-conscious janitorial advocates.

A great resource with detailed information, strategies and steps to a safer, cleaner and healthier home, we highly recommend Green Glean, by Linda Mason Hunter & Mikki Halpin. Its even made from polypropylene — a DuraBook, as it were. Waterproof, stain-resistant and super durable so you can carry it around with you as you clean — without harming it. Its completely recyclable — you can even send it back to the publisher to recycle if you have no local source.

The contents are rich with tips. The first thing you need to know is that its really simple and easy to shift to a less toxic cleaning routine. One step at a time puts you on the right track. for example, just start by:
-Using cloth kitchen towels instead of paper ones. When you do use paper, make sure its bleach-free.
-Fill a clean, refillable spray bottle with club soda to use instead of a commercial window cleaner.
-Check out the ingredients on all those containers under your sink. When those toxic ones are gone, pretty much all of them can be replaced with a non-toxic version. This book shows you how.

These authors talk about categories of cleaners and their health risks. Some Elaine knows the toxic consequences of first hand, such as commercial carpet cleaners — many contain naphthalene, a member of the carcinogenic benzene family that is a neurotoxin — and chlorine bleach, which is part of a class of chemical compounds that may cause all kinds of disorders (including the endocrine, neurologic and immune systems). It can be volatile and extremely dangerous if it comes into contact with certain other chemicals used in the home and is the chemical most frequently involved in household poisonings — not to mention its enviornmental consequences.

Twenty-five categories are listed. Carpet cleaners and chlorine bleach may be obvious. What may not be so obvious is dishwashing liquids. Many are petroleum based, non-biodegradable and contain colors and fragrances that are chemical based. Some contain an ingredient that reacts with other compounds forming carcinogenic nitrosamines. They're also the most frequent cause of childhood poisonings.

Once you familiarize yourself with the issues of conventional vs. green cleaning, these authors help you devise a plan to phase in a healthier routine to keep your family safe. Entire chapters are devoted each to Kitchen, Bathroom, Laundry and Storage/Disposal.

And check out the recipes for cleaning and the how-to guides for stain removal

This is a handy book that will be useful for a lifetime. Once you've learned the contents, and incorporated the steps into your cleaning routine, simply give it to someone else — since its a DuraBook, it will last for years!

Some products & websites that Jon likes:
Green Cleaning Pollution Prevention Calculator - Estimates the eco-benefits of switching to greener janitorial supplies and services. www.ofee.gov/janitor

GreenUnikleen - Green Seal certified, bio-degradeable with no carcinogens www.ipax.com
Green Seal - www.greenseal.org

Ecover.com and Seventh Generation and BioKleen are biodegradable brands of laundry cleaners.

Center for a new American Dream - Listings of green institutional cleaning supplies for big businesses.

Shaklee Get Clean - This maker of bio-degradable, chlorine free, and eco-conscious cleaners has been doing it for a couple of decades.