Clean and Green

 Rain-washing mats and waste bins are a super green idea. Wondering what is a rain-wash? Just pour some baking soda or detergent on door mats, car mats, and trash cans and leave them in the rain. Free falling water cleans them for you.  Isn't this a cool idea? But make sure that it is not windy otherwise you will find all the cans flew away when you go to collect your stuff.

Clean n green to save the earth

Wondering why green: When I came to the US, I was overwhelmed by the amount of cleaning I had to do. So, the first thing I did to help myself was to shop for things that made cleaning easy. In the process, I stuffed my laundry room shelves with tons of cleaning products. In fact, it seemed common because every friend I visited had similar storage. On top of it, we used to discuss, who uses the more powerful and faster-cleaning products. As if we are racing to demolish the world ASAP, Jeez. After spending money for years on those environmentally nasty and expensive products, I found cheaper greener reagents that are equally good. They are salt, vinegar, lemon, baking soda, washing soda, turmeric, rubbing alcohol, detergent, nonchlorine bleach, steam, etc.

 I am a biologist working in the laboratory for the last 10 years. In labs, it is mandatory to keep germ free environment by sterilizing and disinfecting. I am so glad to share the professional knowledge that I use in my daily life with added hype word "green". Actually, I am a nature lover. I rather call myself environment-friendly. Green is cheaper so why not save some money and save the earth too. 

Safety first: Use long cuffed gloves before coming in contact with any cleaning chemicals.                       

Veggie Wash: Vegetables and fruits are coated with food-grade wax and pesticides. Wax is applied to the producte to lock moist inside and look fresh. Veggie Wash is made from natural ingredients like fruit extracts and lemon juice. Rinse with Veggie Wash to remove all the dirt and wax, and to kill germs. 

Rinse meat with turmeric and salt

Turmeric: Turmeric powder is a herbal antiseptic available in Indian grocery stores. Use turmeric to rinse meat, fish, and prawns. Sprinkle turmeric and salt in a colander with meat and rinse 4-5 times. Simple isn't it?

Lemon:
Rinse veggies and meat in lemon juice.
To get rid of the garlic or onion odor, you can simply rub 2 drops of lemon juice on your palms.
Squeezed lemon can be used to clean the garbage disposal.

Baking soda: It is a very good replacement for bleach and also removes all the bad odors. Soak greasy dishes in water and sprinkle baking soda. Leave for a couple of hours and then rinse. It works like magic.

Inside fridge: Wet sponge or table cloth with diluted baking soda and wipe the surface.
Carpet cleaning: Spray talcum powder or baking soda half an hour before vacuuming.

Dirty kitchen cloth: Soak in baking soda and wash.

Mixture: Mix vinegar, baking soda, and salt in a Ziploc bag and tie it to the shower head, and leave it overnight. Helps to get rid of all the gunk and deposits. Watch this movie for clear instructions.

Non-Chlorine bleach

Detergent: It is needed to kill Salmonella on cutting boards, sinks, and utensils that came in contact with meat. Other green reagents do not kill Salmonella.

Non-chlorine bleach(NC): Green replacement for chlorine bleach (Clorox). NC bleach is safer for the environment but not an effective disinfectant. Oxyclean, Clorox-2, Biokleen, etc., are non-chlorine bleaches that contain Hydrogen Peroxide as an oxidizing agent. Though Hydrogen Peroxide sounds like a chemical it is quite harmful because it easily dissociates into oxygen and water. It can be used to remove mold and mildew in the shower.

Dilute Bleach: Bleach has chlorine which is not safe for the environment. I found that bleach is the only quick solution for mold near the kitchen sink and shower. Chlorine is not only effective on bacteria but also on viruses, fungi, mold, algae, and calcium deposits. Hence, I use it sparingly and use the diluted form as much as possible.

Shower: Every time after using the shower, dry with a squeegee, turn on the light and fan\exhaust for 15 minutes. This inhibits mold formation in wet areas.

Squeegee

Hard to clean things: We get sick not because there was any nook and corner that we left for those germs to attack us but because people around us left them free. When we come in contact with those infectious areas, we get sick and in turn spread germs on our mattresses, computer mouse, keyboard, cell phones, key chains, etc. It is hard to disinfect these areas, here are some easy solutions for you.

Rubbing Alcohol\ Isopropyl Alcohol

Rubbing Alcohol: This is the best cleanser for all electronic equipment because it disinfects and evaporates. Concentrated rubbing alcohol can be used to clean the cell phone, keyboard, mouse, and outer surfaces of the monitor. Be careful though, because alcohol is highly inflammable. 

Alcohol perforates the bacterial membrane and denatures(loses structure) the proteins inside. Proteins required for the existence of bacteria no longer function causing them to die.

Diluted alcohol

70% diluted alcohol: It can be used to wipe the coffee table, glass parts of the furniture, painted metal furniture, toys, key chains, inside of a car (wheel, dashboard, doors), pens, and pencils. Preparation: Mix one part water and two parts rubbing alcohol and save in a spray bottle. Diluted alcohol is better than concentrated alcohol because it can penetrate into bacteria better and hence more effective. Alcohol dehydrates the skin, so wear gloves before touching alcohol. Do you know that GermX has 60% ethanol which is nothing but Ethyl Alcohol?

Microfiber cloth

Microfiber cloth Cleans without chemicals with a dense loop-and-rib weave that grabs dirt and locks it deep inside. I use it for dusting laptop, keyboard, monitor, TV screen, music system, etc.,                                                                                                                                                      

UV sterilizer  $60.79

UV sterilizers: UV light kills germs by breaking the bonds in the DNA molecules. It is the easiest and quick way to sterilize hard-to-clean things like beds, toys, pillows, etc. There is no liquid chemical involved or leftover residue to worry about. Be aware that exposure to UV light causes cancer in humans. Keep the UV light away from the skin, and pets and mainly save your eyes by wearing safety goggles.

Steam vacuuming: The temperature of the steam is 100 degrees Celcius which is capable of destroying the germs instantly. In laboratories, the utensils and media (bacteria food) are sterilized using autoclaves that use steam under pressure for killing any form of life. Steam has the power to penetrate. So, very useful in cleaning bathroom tiles, grout, floors, windows, cracks, drapes, and walls.

Boiled water: All moms know quite well that milk bottles, nipples, and feeding spoons should be sterilized at least once a week in hot boiling water.

Rain wash trash cans & mats

Rainwater: I bet a rain-washing car is another good idea. You go green.                                            

Natural air fresheners:

Homemade: Vinegar, water, essential oil (Ex: Lavender oil).

1. Take a spray bottle and add vinegar to a quarter of the bottle and fill the rest with water. Mix well and spray. Vinegar will not mask the odors but it will absorb and neutralize the bad odors.

2. In a spray bottle add 3 teaspoons of essential oil and fill the rest with water. Oils do not dissolve in water so you have to make an extra effort to shake well before use.

Grow indoor plants: They need regular maintenance to keep the bugs off.

Sandalwood: You can keep the sandalwood as is or buy some sculptures or decorations made of it to make the room smell fresh.

Incense sticks: Buy reliable ones as many of them are made of harmful chemicals.

Natural air: Open the windows and let a fresh breeze replace the stale air. There are more pollutants inside the air-tight houses than outside. Let the sunlight sterilize your house with natural UV light.

Do you know the name of this plant?

Sandalwood stick

Indoor plant: Mother of millions

White vinegar

Granular Drain Cleaner $23.18

Clogged drain: Use enzyme drain cleaner like Drain Eze which breaks down sludge and grease with the help of enzymes and harmless bacteria. It does not harm pipes or the environment. Commercial drain cleaners contain acid or lye. 
If needed use a plunger, snake, or electric snake. 
To prevent clog use a metal sieve (available in Lowe's or Home Depot).

Wood: For countertops, cabinet doors, and varnished furniture use a few drops of lemon oil in a glass of water. Use microfiber dampened with the solution to wipe first and then dry thoroughly.

Toothpaste: Brush silver and gold ornaments or decorations with toothpaste.
Washcloth: Use a washcloth instead of a paper towel or wipes. Reusing is the best way to go green.

Leather sofa\interior: Use linseed oil to clean. To shine leather, use organic wood polish or olive oil.

Steel Scrubber $5.25

Scrub made of Agave plant fiber

Scrubs: For those hard gunky kitchen utensils I use steel scrubber scrub or Scotch Brite scrubs.

 Green vs Harmful products: All those promising commercial cleaning products which promise to be fast and easy are enticing. But, they do not reveal how harmful they are to the environment. I fell for those commercials and ended up filling my stock room which I never used because I decided to go green. I wasted money but I am glad that I haven't poisoned the environment. The chemicals go down the drain and mix with organic compounds and release volatile organic compounds that are harmful to live beings. Many of them were identified to be cancer-causing toxins. What goes around comes around. If we neglect today then tomorrow these nasty chemicals come after us.

I would like to dedicate this post to my friend Jyothsna and thank her for helping me in editing this post.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

References: 
Fruits and vegetables have been coated with food-grade vegetables, petroleum, beeswax, and/or lac-resin-based wax or resin to maintain freshness… No fruits or vegetables have been coated with animal-based wax”. 
Lyme disease, Pubmed Health. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002296/

Pseudomembranous colitis, Pubmed Health. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001305/ 

Why wash vegetables and fruits. http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=322317
 UV sterilizer wand, http://www.gaiam.com/product/cleanwave+uv-c+sanitizing+wand.do

MRSA and CRKP - Superbugs. http://health.yahoo.net/experts/dayinhealth/antibiotic-superbugs-crkp-mrsa-risk

Madi, http://en.allexperts.com/q/Hindus-946/f/Hindu-Meal-2.htm

Miracle cloth, http://www.solutions.com/jump.jsp?itemID=1361&itemType=PRODUCT&path=1%2C2%2C4%2C110%2C111&iProductID=1361
 Clean car and interior,  http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1694800/green_ways_to_clean_your_car_inside.html?cat=27Drain cleaners, http://www.care2.com/greenliving/clearing-clogged-drains.html#, http://www.procheminc.com/product_details.asp?ID=99&cat=2

Best website for clean and green, http://eartheasy.com/live_nontoxic_solutions.htm

Published on

4/25/11 4:02 PM