Spring Cleaning Time...Naturally!

Spring is upon us. It's time to open the windows and air out the winter stagnation...after that final foot of spring snow! It's also a time to clean house which means wiping the walls, dusting off the cobwebs and cleaning the windows to let the sunshine in! The many manufacturers of cleaning products will have you believe that using strong chemical potions are the only option to get this job done. In reality, most commercial cleaning products are not only unnecessary, they are down right harmful to your health.

Cleaning products are one of the most pervasive sources of toxic chemicals which make their way into our environment. Many of these chemicals are known endocrine (hormone) disruptors. They have been detected in our water and in our air and they have the ability to cause heightened estrogenic activity in humans and other animals as they make their way inside our bodies. These high levels of blood estrogen are a known risk factor for reproductive cancers. So does this mean we have to live in a dirty house to lower our risk of cancer recurrence or to prevent cancer in the first place? The answer is no and in fact it may be quite the opposite.

Keeping a house clean by vacuuming carpets, cleaning floors and wiping the dust away can clear toxic compounds that settle into our homes. Be certain to use moisture on floors and other surfaces so you don't simply push dirt and toxins around and into the air. The options for cleaning are not limited to the strong smelling products that practically choke you to death. Getting a surface clean entails using a substance that has the capacity to grab onto microbes, dirt and oils to be carried away by a bit of elbow grease. There are several multi-use substances that can get your home clean by wiping away the grime and even killing mold, bacteria and other germs. One such substance is distilled vinegar. Other potent bacteria fighters can be found amongst the essential oils. A study of essential oils was conducted at Teikyo University Institute of Medical Mycology in Japan and found some impressive results. Of the 14 oils studied, cinnamon bark, lemongrass and thyme essential oils showed the highest activity against a number of bacterial strains. Peppermint, tea tree, coriander and lavender oils did moderately well. Aside from their effectiveness, these oils give your home a truly clean smell rather than the noxious smell of most commercial cleaning products. So start your spring cleaning off with this simple and effective cleaner recipe!

All-Purpose Cleaner
Used for hard surfaces, windows and mirrors
- 2 cups white distilled vinegar
- 2 cups water
- 20-30 drops of essential oil
Mix in sprayer bottle.
Tip: Warming in microwave until barely hot will boost cleaning power. Use only glass for microwave.
*Complements of Women's Voices For the Earth

To learn more about how to detoxify your home, join our April 22nd class at Healthlinks Clinic!