Last month we shared with you the Top 6 Toxins to kick out of your home, and since then, everyone’s been asking…
“What about popular cleaning products?”
That’s why we’re bringing you Dr. Morrison’s tips for keeping your house spic and span, while minimizing contact with harmful detergents and cleaning agents.
If you’ve heard of the “hygiene hypothesis,” then you know that the overuse of common household cleaning products, particularly antibacterial disinfectants, are believed to be major contributors to the rising numbers of childhood asthma and allergies. Not to mention headaches and rashes triggered by toxic chemicals in household products. So how do you balance keeping a clean home with keeping harmful chemicals at bay? The answer lies in using more natural cleaning options, such as:
Baking soda: Absorbs odors and chemicals and can be used as a mild abrasive. It can remove stains from the bathtub or toilet and remove grime from a dirty oven.
Borax: A mineral compound (sodium borate) that is a disinfectant, deodorizer, mold inhibitor, and mild abrasive.
White vinegar: Cuts grease, deodorizes, and dissolves sticky buildup and mineral deposits.
Lemon juice: Cuts grease, dissolves sticky buildup, and has a bleaching effect.
Vegetable-based dish soaps: Use a vegetable-based soap that is made out of olive oil, such as castile soap.
Interested in trying out these natural options? Check out these homemade versions of common household products to clean your home healthfully.
With these tips, we hope you’ll enjoy a cleaner, greener, and healthier summer!
| Product | Homemade option |
| Air freshener |
|
| All-purpose cleaner | Mix 1 tsp borax, 2 tbsp vinegar or lemon juice, 5 drops lavender essential oil, and 2 cups hot water into a spray bottle |
| Tub and tile scouring powder | Mix 1 cup baking soda and ¼ cup borax, sprinkle on area and scrub with warm water |
| Floor cleaner | Wood floors: use a vegetable soap like castile soap or Murphy’s Oil Soap
Vinyl floors: use a mixture of ½ cup vinegar, ¼ cup borax, 1 gallon hot water |
| Glass cleaner | Mix ⅛ cup white vinegar to 1 cup water in a spray bottle |
| Furniture and floor polish | Use 2 parts olive oil, 1 part white vinegar, and essential oil for scent; another option is to use mineral oil with a few drops of lemon juice for each pint |
| Mold and mildew cleaner | Mix 1 tsp borax, 3 tbsp white vinegar, and 2 cups hot water, spray on surface and scrub off mold; to inhibit mold growth, spray a few more times but don’t wipe off |
For more information and tips to keep your home and body clean and clear, check Dr. Morrison’s book, Cleanse Your Body, Clear Your Mind, and be sure to follow The Morrison Center on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.