Herbal Household Hacks - A Greener Clean (reprise)

There are many misconceptions about labeling practices that confuse and even mislead consumers. First, understand that there are limited labeling standards in place when it comes to household products, including cleaners. While it’s true that manufacturers have given in to pressure in recent years to disclose ingredients despite the fact they are not required to by law, some of those ingredients and the terms that describe them are without regulatory definition.

For example, “fragrance” and “botanical oils” might conjure imagines of lavender fields and a relaxing visit to the local spa, but these are blanket words that can refer to more than 3,000 synthetic substances that are cheap to use and far from green. Similarly, the words “natural,” “biodegradable” and “eco-friendly” have limited or no legal definition. In effect, they’re advertising words intended to generate a new form of marketing spin known as “greenwashing.”

Another fact that surprises many U.S. consumers is that manufacturers are not required to safety test their products. Yet, the government and a number of research organizations acknowledge that many ingredients commonly found in household cleaning products are known carcinogens. There’s also a growing body of evidence to show that some of these agents are linked to liver and kidney damage, birth defects, neurological disorders and respiratory conditions. 

A 2007 study that involved more than 3,500 otherwise healthy people in 10 different countries found that weekly use of spray cleaners increased the risk of developing asthma by 30 to 50 percent. Some of the worst culprits -- antibacterial surface cleaners, air fresheners, furniture polish, oven cleaners, etc. -- may be lurking under your kitchen sink right now. (If there are, please don’t dump them down the drain. Use them up or call your recycling center for disposal advice.)

Contrary to Kermit’s grievance that it’s not easy being green, the path becomes easier to travel if you refuse to play leap frog with the notion that only store bought cleaners can make our homes sanitary. At the same time, give yourself permission to experience freedom from the fear of germs. 

Although it doesn’t seem evident in advertising, it’s a scientific fact that we must encounter a reasonable number of benign bacterial organisms over the course of a lifetime, otherwise our immune systems would fail to protect us from the big stuff. Cleaning counters and floors with formaldehyde, chloroform and other hazardous waste materials is overkill, and germs aren’t the only living things affected. 

The good news is that nature provides alternatives to these chemicals that effectively get the job done without persisting in the environment or (literally) knocking you out.

Most of us are familiar with the virtues of baking soda, vinegar, salt and lemon juice. These pantry staples have endured as tried-and-true safe cleaners for one simple reason – they work. Salt and baking soda are abrasive materials that move grime, while the acidity of vinegar and lemon juice dissolve fats and proteins (grease). 

Plants have a lot to contribute to the party. They offer saponins and other compounds that are sustainable, readily biodegradable alternatives to non-renewable petroleum-based surfactants that won’t harm fish or wildlife. As an added bonus, botanicals won’t remain on clothing like optical brighteners do or hang around to outgas VOCs from the carpet or kitchen counters. Worried about germs? Fear not. Most botanical essential oils possess antimicrobial, antibacterial, antiviral or antifungal properties — in some cases all of these properties.

Pair one or more of the herbal helpers below with liquid castile soap, baking soda, distilled vinegar, salt and/or lemon juice and there isn’t anything in your home (or office) that this team can’t handle!

DIY odor eliminator
Combine 1/2 cup dried sage, 1/4 cup baking soda and 8 drops sage essential oil. Pour this mixture into a sock, tie off at the end and stuff into stinky shoes or boots.

DIY scuff off
Remove black heel marks on tile flooring by rubbing with a cloth moistened with a few drops of sweet orange or rosemary essential oil.

DIY copper cleaner
To clean copper, mix 1/2 cup ketchup with 2 tablespoons cream of tartar. Spread over metal and let stand for an hour. Rinse in soapy water, then in clean water. Dry thoroughly.

DIY dryer sheets
Make your own dryer sheets with squares of flannel cloth dabbed with a few drops of essential oil of your choice. These can be used over and over again.