It’s no secret that I’m kind of a clean freak. I’ll admit, I’ve grown attached to my clorox wipes, comet and bathroom cleaner with bleach. (Bad, bad and bad.) So I’ve made the resolution that with our new apartment, I’m going to start fresh. I don’t want our air inside to be even more polluted than the air outside (which often is the case in many American homes, as I learned at Earth911.com). So from the moment we walk in, there won’t be a drop of bleach on a single sink.
image from trends.move.com
Interestingly enough, the Wall Street Journal just did a story on companies “coming clean” about what’s in their cleaning products. I had no idea that there were no federal regulations regarding ingredient-listings on cleaning products. Even though I don’t know what half of the crazy-sounding chemicals really are, at least they were all listed, right? Wrong. Companies don’t have to list ingredients that would give away “trade secrets” like fragrances. So who knows what’s really in those bottles we’ve been spraying all over our house? That’s kind of scary.
But now I’m left with a dilemma: Am I brave enough to opt for the DIY baking soda and vinegar recipes online, or do I simply go for more eco-conscious store-brought products, like Method or Mrs. Meyer’s? While I’m attracted to the DIY method, I’ve read stories about baking soda ruining surfaces. And while I am a fan of vinegar (seriously, I ate it by the spoonful as a child), I’m not sure I want my whole apartment smelling like it.
We already use laundry detergent and dish soap that’s free of any dyes or perfumes, and I’ve really noticed that it makes my skin less prone to irritation. So now we just have to find some green cleaners that can satisfy this finicky clean freak.
When I finally settle on some earth-friendly, people/pet-safe products, I’ll be sure to share! In the mean time, have any recommendations for us?
Want to learn more about what’s in your household cleaning products?
• “Household Products Start To Come Clean On Ingredients” from the Wall Street Journal
