As a nurse, you’re aware of the importance of cleanliness, yes, but also the danger of using toxic brews to deodorize and disinfect. How do you balance household hygiene with health-related chemical sensitivity and allergy concerns? Clean with simple and safe staples from your kitchen cupboard!

As you may be aware, some popular cleaning brands contain ingredients that have been associated with unpleasant (to say the least) side effects, including stroke and high blood pressure. Though that link doesn’t prove causation, why take a chance?

Especially when using common items such as white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and baking soda, is easy and inexpensive. Plus, they smell so much better than even the commercially available “green” cleaning products with their faux floral scents.

Here’s a quick guide for nurses who want to replace toxic single-use, store-bought cleaners with healthier, multi-purpose DIY versions:

For scrubbing sinks/removing stains: Replace abrasive cleaners like Comet with baking soda from the grocery store.

For polishing sterling or silver plate: Also replace abrasive silver polishers like Tarnex with baking soda.

For cleaning glass: Replace window cleaners such as Windex with white vinegar from the grocery.

For removing soap scum, grease and mineral deposits: Also replace drain cleaners like Drano with white vinegar.

For so-bright-you’ll-need-sunglasses white laundry: Replace chlorine bleach like Clorox with 3% hydrogen peroxide.

For disinfecting countertops and other surfaces: Also replace chlorine bleach with 3% hydrogen peroxide.

For washing clothes: Replace laundry detergents like Tide with Castile soap, a plant-based liquid soap, such as Dr. Bonner’s, from the grocery natural foods store.

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For mopping floors: Also replace floor care cleaners like Mop ‘n Glow with Castile soap.

Save money, protect your family and the environment by using safe, simple ingredients to clean your home.

Tomorrow I’ll give you some recipes for everyday cleaning products that will protect you, your family, and Mother Earth.

Jebra Turner is a freelance health writer based in Portland, Oregon, but you can visit her at www.jebra.com.

Jebra Turner
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