A “Green Cleaning” Reference January 5, 2009

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by Bob Ferrari

As time goes on, the news media is rife with lists of new items/chemicals that cause some sort of disease or disruption of the quality of life.

There are studies that link the use of aluminum-ladened products (as in underarm deodorants, cooking pans, etc) with the onset of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. Whether these problems exist for real or not, there is evidence that they do exist, so why take the chance exposing yourself and your family to these “possibly toxic” and mostly man-made chemicals? Make an effort to make changes to “do without” some of these items.

One tiny part of the “Green Movement” involves removing pollutants from inside our homes, which many studies have proven can be more polluted than the outside of our homes. We spend 90% of our lives indoors for the most part, let’s strive to make the best of it!

Here is some helpful reference reading for those of you who are thinking about making changes in your homelife for the sake of yours and your families health:

• The Union of Concerned Scientists has a thorough list of definitions for common household cleaning products, including an explanation of what makes them harmful and alternative options.
• This National Institute of Health webpage allows for searches on a variety of products, including cleaning products and their health and toxicity ratings. The database includes a multitude of companies but is limited to information provided by company reports.
• Under the LEED certification system, a building can receive as many as fourteen points for green cleaning products and cleanability.
• Grist offers tips on how to get your cleaning crew at work to switch to safer products.
• GreenBiz.com provides in-depth reports and articles on the business breakdown of a green approach to cleaning.
• The Children’s Health Environmental Coalition offers great advise on how to make your own cleaners that can handle just about any corner of the home and lays out the five products needed to clean just about anything.
• What’s the difference between a sanitizer, disinfectant, and a sterilizer? The US Environmental Protection Agency Antimicrobial Pesticide Product page will clear that up for you. Their Green Cleaning Products page also lays out the basics of why cleaning chemicals can be so harmful.
• CleanerSolutions Database is a free online tool for evaluating surface-cleaning products.The Center for a New American Dream offers advice on how to change the cleaning products used by your custodial staff as well as the statistics to back it up, and they also offer reports from cities that have greened their cleaning practices.
• Environmental Choice is an international organization that certifies green cleaning products and other home and office products.
• The Ashkin Group advises cleaning services on greening their cleaning.
• Green Seal is another standardization organization that is certifies cleaning products among other things.
• Green Earth is one of the most widely available ecologically preferable drycleaning systems.
• Seventh Generation’s Making a Difference Newsletter provides regular doses of sound advise.