Healthy Spirit: 8 Ways to Replace Toxic Cleaning Supplies

8 ways to Replace Toxic Cleaning Supplies in the Home

• Oven Cleaner: Traditional oven cleaners contain dozens of toxic ingredients, including those that can cause permanent chemical burns, blindness and poisoning if ingested. Healthy replacement: Make a thin paste with baking soda and water. Coat all oven surfaces with the paste. Let it sit overnight and wipe clean with a damp cloth. Your oven will sparkle and your family will not have to breathe the toxic fumes.
• Floor Cleaner: Instead of a floor cleaner that fills your home with fumes and can be toxic if ingested, use vinegar instead. Vinegar kills mold, mildew and bacteria. Make a solution of one cup white vinegar to one gallon of water and mop as usual. The vinegar scent does not linger after the floor dries.
• Bathtub/Shower: Get the disinfecting results without chemicals by mixing a solution of ½ cup baking soda, 1 cup vinegar and 1 gallon of warm water in a spray bottle. Spray your tub and tile and wipe as usual. Spray white vinegar (undiluted) directly on glass shower doors to remove soap scum. Wipe with a cloth and rinse as usual.
• Countertops: For a great all-purpose counter top cleaner, mix 1 quart water, 1 cup rubbing alcohol and 1 teaspoon dish soap in a spray bottle. This mixture kills bacteria and can be used on granite countertops as well.
• Stainless Steel: Stainless steel cleaners can be costly and laden with chemicals. Care must be taken with stainless steel because citrus and other acids cannot be used. Shine your stainless steel appliances with a few drops of olive oil on a soft cloth. After polishing with the olive oil, polish with a clean cloth dampened with white vinegar.
• Silver: Clean your silver the natural way with a paste of baking soda and water. Scoop the paste onto a damp sponge, gently polish and rinse with hot water. Pat dry with a soft towel.
• Toilet Cleaner: Replace your conventional toilet cleaner with a safer alternative. Pour one cup of borax and 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar or lemon juice into the bowl. Let sit for a few hours, then scrub with a toilet brush and flush. 
• Wood Furniture Polish: To replace your favorite wood polish, mix ½ cup white vinegar and 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Apply with a soft cloth and polish

*If you would like to try any of these cleaning methods for Pesach, please ask your Rav if the products need to be kosher l’Pesach.