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Effectiveness of Green Cleaners

Submitted by kscarroll27 on Sun, Apr. 20, 2008

Are green cleaners as "effective" as conventional cleaners, such as Lysol, for disinfecting toilets, bath tubs, and kitchen sinks. I would like to eliminate bleach and as many other chemicals from my home as I can,but I also want to make sure that these areas in particular are "cleaned" of bacteria and/or other germs. I also clean houses part-time and want to replace the products I use for them. I am concerned for my health as well as the environment, but, again, want to make sure that when I'm finished my houses are clean. If you could include a list of products that are most effective that would be great! Thanks for your time and consideration.

‹ Steel Wool/Brillo Pads Laminate Floor Cleaning ›

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Comments (4)

Britta Braught
Wed, Jul. 23, 2008

There is no need for bleach - ever !!

I grew up in Germany and I can tell you that I don't even know one single person there that uses bleach for cleaning or disinfecting at home. My sister and I shared a potty chair as well and my mom only cleaned it with soap and warm water. If one child is sick then you might have to scrub a little more but there is no need for bleach. If you clean your cutting board right after you used it you can use soap and water as well. I have a 6 month old boy and I also only use SG cleaning products, baking soda and vinegar. I have never used bleach in my house and I won't in the future. I don't even bleach my white laundry. Sun does a much better and safer job at it anyway. :)

2AlaskanDarlings
Wed, Jul. 23, 2008

What about the bacteria/virus/germ factor?

I agree that vinegar and baking soda are awesome cleaners, and I also use SG cleaning products, but what about killing germs, bacteria, and viruses? I would love to stop using chlorine bleach completely, but I'm not sure how natural cleaners compare. Does the non-chlorine bleach kill germs in the same way that chlorine bleach does? What about cleaning kitchen utensils and cutting boards after working with raw chicken. Will vinegar kill germs such as salmonella? When one of my kids are sick, it seems like I should clean their potty chair with chlorine bleach to stop the spread of germs to my other child. Is there a natural cleaner that will work for this?

imspecl
Wed, Jul. 23, 2008

I'm still kickin

I have to say that as I've been using green products for years and have remained healthy. I've used SG cleaning products and love them. No offending "perfume" and they work great. I've found vinegar and baking soda to be my favorite two items as well. Vinegar, water and a couple drops of SG's dish soap leave my windows super clean (of course I use a cut up t-shirt for drying). To scour anything baking soda is my magic. Sprinkle on, spritz with my "window cleaner" and scrub. Vinegar is also awsome as a fabric softener. I use the "ball" - fill with vinegar, toss in the wash and it'll release the vinegar in the rinse cycle helping the detergent/soap rinse out of the fabric. Leaves things soft too. Borax works great for scrubbing the toilet. Sprinkle in 1/4 cup, let set for the amount of time it takes to clean the rest of the bathroom, scrub and flush.

I love the SG laundry products, dish soap, when I had a dishwasher the SG soap worked great, the toilet cleaner works well - heck, take your pick!

Chris Middings
Tue, Apr. 29, 2008

See this Relevant Forum Topic

http://www.seventhgeneration.com/mrsa-does-seventh-generation-products-k...