I won't use toxic cleaners
Conventional cleaning products contain harsh toxic chemicals that contaminate indoor air quality for humans and pets while endangering the health of ecosystems and wildlife when they are washed down the drain or sprayed in the air. The majority of products contain unnatural harmful petroleum-based chemicals such as bleach, dyes, perfumes, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Nature has provided us with natural wonders to clean effectively, so why use anything else?
How to do it
It’s easy to clean green, just make your own! Vinegar and baking soda, mixed with aromatic essential oils or natural dish soap have hundreds of household cleaning applications. Mix them with water in a spray bottle, and you’ve got an all-purpose cleaner for countertops, tiles, toilet bowls and much more. If you prefer to buy ready-made products, stay away from anything that says “poison” or “corrosive.” Instead, look for “plant-based” ingredients and organic on the label with third party certification. Finally, choose washable, reusable cloths over disposable tissue products.
Why this action matters
- Surfactants (e.g. sulphates) used in degreasers, disinfectants, and general cleaners, break down into hormone-disrupting agents for wildlife.
- Antibacterial ingredients have made their way into 58% of our streams and into breast milk.
- Indoor air pollution can be 2 to 5 times higher than outdoor air!
- Each year, the average Canadian family consumes anywhere from 20 to 40 litres of toxic cleaning products.
