The Green Way to Clean - Environmentally Friendly Methods for Buffing Your HomeUse this search feature to quickly find the information you’re looking for. How to Green Clean: Environmentally Friendly Methods. One quick and easy way to cut down on dangerous chemicals in your home is to use natural cleansers. Nearly all household cleaning needs can be met using five nontoxic and inexpensive products available at most grocery stores: -- soap (nonpetrochemical-based) -- baking soda -- washing soda (a hydrated sodium carbonate) -- borax -- white vinegar. Fortunately, there are manufacturers keeping pace and creating new, ``earth-friendly'' cleaners. Now we can keep such germ-magnet rooms as the bathroom and kitchen clean without endangering the family. 
The key to safe cleaning is providing adequate ventilation, wearing gloves and avoiding eye exposure to cleaners and fumes -- green or otherwise. To further minimize your family's exposure to chemicals, steer clear of certain ingredients in both green and commercial cleaners, such as: -- ammonia (in glass cleaners) -- glycol and butyl ethers (in several popular all-purpose cleaners)-- terrenes (a chemical in virtually all citrus or natural cleaners) -- formaldehyde, phosphates and perfumes. These chemicals can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, nausea and headaches in the short term. Long-term exposure can damage the liver, kidneys and the central nervous system. Read the label of cleaning products and look for green products that are dye-free, perfume-free, phosphate-free, biodegradable, low toxic and highly concentrated. 1. Bathroom Basics
-- Cast iron: To safely clean cast-iron sinks and lavatories, rinse with water and dry thoroughly after each use. For stubborn stains, abrasives may be used sparingly but not regularly.Washing soda and borax are good alternatives to chemical cleaners, and a lemon half can even be used to scrub out mild stains. -- Ceramic tile: Scrub ceramic tile floors and countertops with a nonabrasive, all-purpose natural cleaner such as baking soda mixed with water. Tub/tile/sink cleaner or a liquid cleanser can be used sparingly. Rinse thoroughly with clean water. The easiest -- and safest -- way to keep tiled shower walls clean is to wipe them down with a towel after each use. To clean stained or mildewed grout, use a commercial mildew stain remover applied carefully with a brush, or diluted bleach ( 3/4 cup bleach to 1 gallon of water) and rinse thoroughly. -- Marble: Avoid using acidic or abrasive cleaners on this delicate, highly polished surface. Also, avoid spilling acids on marble as pitting and staining can result. Wipe up spills immediately, and use a product formulated for cleaning marble. 2. Kitchen Cleanups-- Laminates: For those who don't mind extra scrubbing, vinegar and water work well for general cleaning of laminate flooring and countertops, as does liquid dish-washing detergent and water.To remove tough spots or stains, buff the blemish with acetone nail polish remover, then wipe clean with a damp cloth. To kill countertop germs, use a nonabrasive disinfectant weekly, such as a bleach and water solution. -- Vinyl: Vinyl floors often require only regular sweeping and damp mopping with water. But for those grimy jobs, a cleaner with a surfactant will provide more uniform cleaning and drying. For regular weekly cleanings, use a water-based, neutral cleaner. -- Hardwood Floors: Whether yours are oak, maple, ash or beech, cleaning them is as safe as it gets. Simply vacuum or dust mop once a week and wipe up spills immediately -- standing water can warp wood. Avoid oil soaps; they can build up and create problems. Instead, neutral pH cleaners made specifically for wood floors are recommended. -- Solid Surfacing: These are among the hottest materials for kitchen countertops, back splashes and integrated kitchen sinks. These synthetic surfaces include such brand names as Avonite, DuPont Corian, Fountainhead by Nevamar and 2000X by Formica. These surfaces should be cleaned with a damp cloth and ordinary household soap or a nonabrasive mild cleanser. For extra safety in the kitchen, disinfect countertops weekly, using an EPA-certified disinfectant or a bleach and water solution that is safe for the surface. More Tips on Maintaining a Green Home
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