Be Clean, Be Natural

It is almost fiesta season and that means it's time for cleaning the house, tossin' carpets and
pillows, barbecuing with friends, and scouring our living space from top to bottom. We might
tempt ourselves on spraying a lot of bleach (that makes things clean), and a lot of cleaning
products we might use on cleaning generally our homes.

One of the obstacles we face in finding safer cleaning products is the fact that many companies
have resorted to greenwashing. What's greenwashing? It's really just a deceitful sales tactic
used by companies who aren't at all concerned with the safety of your family or the
environment whereby they craft the labeling and marketing of their toxic products so that they
appear safer or greener when they're really not. Greenwashers often use words like natural,
pure, and eco to create the illusion of safety to convince you to buy their products. (Clear &
Well, 2014)

The Environmental Protection Agency ranks indoor air pollution among the top environmental
dangers, and much of this pollution comes from common cleaning products (or what we’ll call
“indoor pollutants”). Immediate effects of exposure to indoor pollutants can include
headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, as well as exacerbated
symptoms of asthma and other respiratory illnesses. Long-term effects (following long or
repeated exposure to indoor pollutants) include respiratory diseases, heart disease, and even
cancer. The indoor pollutants that can cause these reactions are so common that the EPA
strongly recommends everyone improve the air quality of their home, regardless of whether
symptoms are currently present. In other words, these pollutants are pretty whack. (Newcomer
L, 2015)

Bleach can quickly become hazardous, especially when overused in enclosed areas or when
mixed with other chemicals like ammonia. It causes eye, mouth, lung and skin irritation – not to
mention that people with asthma or other breathing problems are even more susceptible. The
toxic concerns of bleach include breathing problems, reproductive and developmental effects,
and even cancer. Also, the toxic dioxin that is released into the environment during the bleach
manufacturing process has been linked to cancer, birth defects, and developmental disorders.

Bleach is an active detergent found in almost all of the cleaning products we use daily. The
researchers find out some tips on how to lessen the use of this chemical.
OLIVE OIL
A yellow to yellowish-green oil that is made from olives and used in cooking.

CASTILE SOAP
A fine hard bland soap made from olive oil and sodium hydroxide; also : any of various similar
soaps.

BAKING SODA
A kind of salt that is used to make baked foods (such as cookies and breads) light and fluffy.

ESSENTIAL OIL
An oil that comes from a plant, that smells like the plant it comes from, and that is used in
perfumes and flavorings.

LEMON JUICE
Juice from a yellow citrus fruit that has a sour taste.

VINEGAR
A sour liquid that is used to flavor or preserve foods or to clean things.

This products can be an alternative to bleach. For serious disinfectant power, mix ½ cup
baking soda, 1 teaspoon castile soap, and ½ teaspoon hydrogen peroxide. Use a cloth to apply
the mixture to a wet surface, scrub, and then rinse thoroughly. All natural so there's nothing to
worry about.

For a simple, effective tile floor cleaner, simply combine one part white vinegar with two parts
warm water in a bucket. Use a mop or rag to scrub down the floors with the solution. No need
to rinse off! (Note: this one’s not recommended for wood floors).

To scrub down walls, mix ¼ cup white vinegar with 1 quart warm water, then use a rag to scrub
those walls down. To remove black marks, simply scrub at the spot with a little bit of baking
soda.

For an all-purpose window cleaner, combine 1 part white vinegar with 4 parts water (feel free to
add some lemon juice if you’re feeling citrusy), then use a sponge or rag to scrub away.

For an all-purpose furniture polish, combine ¼ cup vinegar with ¾ cup olive oil and use a soft
cloth to distribute the mixture over furniture. For wood furniture (or as an alternative to the
first recipe), combine ¼ cup lemon juice with ½ cup olive oil, then follow the same procedure.

This natural chemicals might also be used as Silver cleaner. Put silver utensils and jewelry back
to good use the non-toxic way. Line a sink or bucket with aluminum foil, lay out the silver on top
of the aluminum, and pour in boiling water, 1 cup of baking soda, and a pinch of salt. Let it sit
for several minutes and watch as—like magic—the tarnish disappears! Note: If you’re concerned
about immersing a particular item, simply rub it with toothpaste and a soft cloth, rinse it with
warm water, and allow it air to dry.
 Non-toxic homemade cleaning products
aren’t just better for us;
they can also help save us money
and protect the environment.

Luckily, chemical-laden cleaning products aren’t the only means to keep a home sparkly. Non-
toxic homemade cleaning products aren’t only better for us; they can also help save us money
and protect the environment. Making your own products cuts down on packaging waste and
reduces the release of household chemicals that can contribute to air and water pollution. In
relation to the study, the researchers campaign on the " Be Clean, Be Natural " program
to be used not just by some people but as well as the whole nation. The best news? The
majority of the most powerful cleaning products may well already be on our pantry shelves.
Science, Technology and Society

"Be Clean, Be Natural"

Submitted by:

Basio, Diomaris

Loremia, Harriel

Muaña, Rachelle

Sun-oc, Mieca

Submitted to:

Mrs. Maria Amy Fiel Racines