Product: Antibacterials
Used for: Disinfecting everything you can think of, ranging from kids’ toys to toilets.
Nasty inside: Tricoslan, an endocrine (hormone) disrupter that doesn’t break down easily (it kills bacteria and bacteria are often the agents of biodegrading). Excessive use of potent chemical disinfectants to sterilise everything in the home is probably associated with asthma and other autoimmune problems, as an over-clean home leads to a bored, restless immune system that starts reacting to non-threats.
Natural cleaning alternative: Soap and water will do most of the cleaning and kill most of the germs you need to worry about. Vinegar, salt, ultraviolet light (sunshine), boiling water and strong alcohol are other natural disinfectants.
Product: Detergents
Used for: Nearly every sort of cleaner imaginable, mostly because it can work up a grease and grime busting lather in all sorts of water – even hard water – without getting gunky white scum all over everything.
Nasty inside: Phosphate. This is more of a nuisance in the water system, as it breaks down very slowly and allows too much algae to grow in the waterways, leading to environmental problems. Also, detergent in general is harsher on the skin and hair, leading to dry hair (the least of your problems) and cracking, flaking itchy skin.
Natural cleaning alternative: Soap won’t form that ghastly scum if it is used alongside a water softener such as washing soda. Alternatively, look out for reduced phosphate or phosphate-free cleaning products such as laundry powder.
Product: Synthetic fragrances
Used for: Air fresheners. Also used in a range of other cleaning products such as those spray on kitchen cleaners and bathroom cleaners because the active ingredients in these products pong. Baby products. Cheap perfumes and cosmetics.
Nasty inside: Toluene, which is a probable asthma and allergy trigger. Synthetic musk, which does all sorts of peculiar things to the hormones if you are exposed to too much of it.
Natural cleaning alternative: Make your own natural cleaners and add essential oils. Open windows to remove pongs. Use essential oils, pot pourri and fresh flowers to scent the air delicately. Don’t overuse perfume – just a few dabs on the pulse points will be adequate.
Product: Solvents
Used for: Dry cleaning fluid, spot cleaning treatments. Found in all sorts of common household products.
Nasty inside: This really depends on the solvent in question. There are half a dozen different types (or more) and each has its problems. The chlorinated ones are the worst – one of these can cause permanent brain damage if too much is inhaled.
Natural cleaning alternative: Oddly, mineral turpentine – which isn’t exactly natural – is one of the least harmful solvent. Strong alcohol also makes a decent solvent for everyday household cleaning. Don’t dry clean clothes or toys unless it is absolutely essential. Eucalyptus oil makes a good spot treatment.
Product: Ammonium compounds
Used for: Floor cleaners, glass cleaners and bathroom cleaners.
Nasty inside: Ammonia gas in itself is pretty awful if inhaled. It is positively lethal if mixed with chlorine. Avoid if you have chlorinated water and never mix ammonia-based cleaners with chlorine based cleaners. However, ammonia breaks down easily and doesn’t last long in the environment.
Natural cleaning alternative: For window cleaning, use dilute vinegar. For cleaning floors, use warm soapy water. For cleaning the bathroom, either use baking soda or use vinegar. If you have to use ammonia based products, make sure that the area you are cleaning is well ventilated.
You can tell that there’s something not quite right about new carpets if those carpets are made from synthetic ick – it smells. That characteristic chemical “new” smell. Now, the fumes and vapours given off by a new carpet are not quite as bad as some toxins that you probably get exposed to during a renovation or redecorating session – paint, for example, is much worse, unless you’re using “green” paint – but every little bit counts. And there are other options.
There are other alternatives to carpet, too. From a health perspective, having smooth floor surfaces means that fewer dust mites can lurk in your home causing asthma and allergies. Carpet gives them a place to hide in, as carpets trap dust. From a house cleaning perspective, however, having carpets down traps dust, which means the dust isn’t going all over the house, requiring you to dust more frequently as well as sweeping/vacuuming.
But you probably know what you need for your floor, whether you want something hard or soft, depending on which room we’re talking about and what your lifestyle and family are like. What are your more natural options suitable for natural cleaning products?
* Plain wood. If you’ve got nice wooden boards on your floor, why cover them? They’ll need to be sanded and sealed. This is not the moment to open up the polyurethane varnishes and stains. Instead, try lime-washing the wood or waxing it. There are plenty of eco-friendly low-toxin options knocking around. With some woods, the issue of tropical hardwoods from dubious sources crops up. To be on the safe side, stick to non-exotic woods – woods from conifers (pine, cypress, spruce, larch, fir and cedar) look good, wear well and are usually harvested from properly managed forests.
* Cork. Cork is softer than other wood used for flooring (e.g. pine) and is that little bit warmer. Finish like wood.
* Natural fibre mats: Coir, sisal and reed mats are soft enough to sit on and are also quite hard-wearing. They usually come in their natural colours (usually cream or beige), but you can get dyed and patterned ones. They can absorb liquids easily, so it may not be the best idea to use this where people are likely to spill drinks or ink, as it’s very hard to get the stain out.
* Rag rugs. These are often bright and colourful, giving a room character and a bit of cheerfulness. They are fairly easy to clean, too. As a bonus, they are nearly always made out of recycled materials.
* Woollen carpets: Wool is a natural material, after all, so this is one place where what’s natural is also luxurious. They’re delicious to lie on and to touch.
* Rugs made from natural skins. Cow hide and sheepskin rugs are a by-product of the meat industry, and are durable. People have been softening floors with skins for millennia! Hides from Friesian/Holstein or Ayrshire cattle look particularly striking.
* Stone and tile. A cooler surface to walk on but very durable and easy to clean as well as being natural. They have the added advantage of absorbing and storing heat, and are widely used in home with passive solar heating.
* Recycled rubber mats. These may not be the most attractive, but are great in rooms where you need a tough surface.
No matter what type of flooring you’re considering, also give consideration as to how you’re going to keep it in place. It’s no good buying a natural floor finish only to stick it down with fume-laden adhesive. Use a hammer and tacks, or track down adhesive made from cow’s hooves.
No other floor covering can surpass the beauty of stone flooring whether it is made from marble, granite, limestone, slate or the artificially made terrazzo. They all have a natural beauty that exudes richness. The
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