Sustainable Lifestyles: Spring Into Green Cleaning

Winter's shut-in homes may hold a fine layer of dust from daily living, heating units or wood stoves, and spiders, feeling the change in seasons, will start webbing out their homes in yours.

Spring has finally sprung, and this is a time when many of us feel the urge to declutter and scrub up, readying ourselves for the next gorgeous Sierra summer.

Quick Facts
The average American spends about 90 percent of their time indoors. Studies from the EPA indicate that human exposure to indoor air pollutants can range from two to five or up to 100 times greater than outdoor levels (Google search EPA and toxic schools and businesses).

Indoor air pollutants/toxins are produced from the off-gassing of carpets and paints, air fresheners, household cleaners, mattresses, computers and electronic equipment, and even toys.

Speed Cleaning
The most efficient way to clean our homes is of course, top to bottom. The best order, according to Home Maids, is to start in the kitchen, move to main living areas, bedrooms, and finally bathrooms. For speed cleaning start by dusting ceilings and walls, move to shelves, and work your way down to floors. Spend time moving furniture, vacuuming, mopping, and finally, employ concentrated effort in and around the nether regions of the toilet.

Why Clean Green?
Here are the top three reasons, designed by yours truly, to clean green…

Animal Testing
Each year thousands of new cleaners are introduced from industrialized cleaning companies resulting in the testing of chemicals on millions of animals.

Animals used in testing include mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, dogs, cats and other animals.

The primary tests done on animals are the LD-50 and Draize tests.

LD – 50
The LD-50 test, used to determine the toxicity of chemicals, stands for Lethal Dose 50 Percent. This test is conducted with a group of test animals where the lethal dose is determined when half of the test animals die. These animals are forced to ingest or inhale a substance ranging from chemicals used in aerosol sprays and air fresheners, to laundry detergent, tile cleaners and more.

Test animals often experience pain, anxiety, ulcers, bleeding from the mouth/nose/eyes, diarrhea, convulsions and seizures. The test animals still alive after the first half die are then killed.

While the classic LD-50 test is banned in parts of Europe, and the EPA no longer supports this test, some American companies continue to test outside of the U.S.

Draize Tests Draize testing includes both the Draize Eye Irritancy test and the Draize Skin Irritancy test. Draize Eye tests are done on rabbits because of their infrequent blinking and limited tear production.

In the eye irritancy test, rabbits are restrained during the test period – which can last several days - with their eyes clipped open while chemicals are applied. This causes great discomfort and in some cases animals are in such extreme pain that they break their necks while trying to back away. These tests cause bleeding and ulcers in the eyes.

The skin irritancy test is started by stripping away several layers of skin and hair with tape and then chemicals are applied. After this a plastic sheet is applied so the rabbit cannot get to it.

These types of testing, as you probably understand cause these innocent animals great pain and I, for one, can scrub my toilet without chemicals and cleaners that include torturing bunnies and Scrubbing Bubbles.

Green Products are Great
Increased healthy indoor air quality.

If you haven't tried green cleaning products lately, you're missing out. As per many sustainable products today, green cleaners are an excellent value because they are highly effective, non-toxic, animal-friendly and family friendly.

Although these products may seem pricier, they’re not. Green cleaning products are generally more concentrated (less waste in packaging), and are designed in the same genres as (broad-based and specific) industrialized cleaners.

You are Cleaning for the Future
True Green Cleaning products and services are designed with you and your family in mind. Green companies are founded on the triple bottom line principle -- where the planet, the people, and companies all profit.

In every manner from the upstream production of green products to consumption, and reuse or recycling of “waste/packaging," green products have the health of the planet for future generations in mind.

What You’ll Find

Types of green products available include those for the following:

Laundry basics, dishwasher, cleaners for glass, ovens, wood, stainless steel, carpets, deodorizers, air fresheners, garbage bags, garbage cans, dish/cleaning "rags," paper towels ... and more.

Who Makes 'em:
I have listed green cleaners into two sections: good, and greenwash. Greenwash is a term used to describe a product or service where the manufacturer or corporation leads the consumer to believe a product (or the company itself) is more environmentally and socially responsible than they actually are.

The Good Green
Seventh Generation, Ecover, Naturally Yours, Shaklee, Aubrey Organics, Vermont Soapworks, Earth Friendly, AFM Safe Choice, Mrs Myers

Greenwash
Clorox Greenworks, Swiffer

Where to get 'em

To find a great selection of green cleaning products you can shop at Grass Roots in South Lake Tahoe or Trader Joe's (In Reno or Carson)

Other stores that promise a few sustainable cleaners include: Raleys, Safeway, Costco (occasionally), Mountain Hardware (Truckee), Blue Moon (Tahoe City and Truckee) and Sierra Market (Minden), and Wild Oats and Whole Foods in Reno.

In your own kitchen you will also find a variety of great cleaners such as white vinegar, baking soda, lemons and oils.

Green Hints
Many surfaces can be cleaned with steam or just water. Wipe up spills early so they don’t become deep stains.

If you're thinking about "going green" in your home or business, and are using toxic products, finish using them to help avoid further toxic "waste."

Direct questions in supermarkets about green products to employees who are using them.

Clean with reusable rags (old socks, torn sheets, etc.), and use old newspaper to clean glass surfaces.

If you are interested in having your carpets deep-cleaned through a service, utilize carpet cleaning professionals who use organic soaps. I’ve personally used Carpet Cops from Stateline Nevada (ask for John) with outstanding results.

For more information on Animal Testing please Click Here.

For information on Green Products please Click Here.

For home made cleaning solutions please Click Here.