I was reminded in a news article today of how much damage unnatural chemical cleaners can do to the human body. I read about Dee Ferguson, who has cleaned houses for a living. She reported a range of health problems in the introduction of the article, including her throat swelling up and raw, irritated skin - all related to cleaning products. Another cleaning professional, Gary Walker, said that he’d had three sinus surgeries as a result of conventional chemical cleaners, and now has occupations asthma.

This is not just anecdotal information. Research has shown a direct link between the use of chemicals in the home, including air fresheners, with increased risk of asthma. Nurses in frequent contact with the typical hospital cleaning and sanitizing products had as much as a 72 per cent increase in new asthma diagnosis.

Then there is the allergy issue. Chemicals themselves can be potent allergens, resulting in many types of skin conditions including eczema.

So what do you use to clean?

Environmentally-friendly cleaning is easy. It’s good for you and your pocket book. In fact, your best bet is to make your own cleaning supplies with the ingredients from your own cupboards! In many cases, these homemade solutions are just as effective as any commercial product, and are free of volatile indoor pollutants of all kinds, including artificial scents, toxic ingredients and carcinogens like Acid Blue 9 which is used in toilet bowl cleaners and deodorizers.

I’ve been researching easy cleaning solutions for a number of months now - and trying out my own recipes. No doubt about it, going natural works!

One of the easiest things to do is to replace your regular spray cleaner with your own do-it-yourself cleaner with what you have at home. Mix 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda into a 1 quart or liter spray bottle. (Be ready for this to foam!) This can be used as all-purpose cleaning power, but is also great at removing water deposit stains on shower stall panels, bathroom chrome fixtures, windows, bathroom mirrors, etc.

You can use the same combination for your toilet. Add about a cup of vinegar to the water in the toilet bowl. Then spoon in about 1/2 cup of baking soda. The foaming action will help to remove any mineral stains on the bowl. Scrub with your brush for any stubborn areas, and you’re done!

You can also drop in a couple of denture cleaning tablets to clean and freshen your toilet bowl.

Another great trick for cleaning is to convert from regular cotton cloths to microfiber cloths. In many cases, microfiber can lift off all kinds of dirt, grease and grime without any kind of cleanser because the fibers themselves will penetrate and trap dirt. Just use water.

If you buy microfiber cloths, buy good quality! If you do, they can last for years.

Sources: PreventCancer.com, KansasCity.com