NONTOXIC HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS
- By DeAnn Waggoner, Executive Director, Wings of Love
Bird Haven
Chemicals and toxic cleaners can be very hazardous to
your birds. I personally believe they are hazardous to
you and your family as well. Why not make the change---
for your whole family's sake? First of all I will say
that many times we reach for a strong cleaner- when just
a mild soap/water solution would work just as well…
because of habit. Try to re-think the use of any and all
cleaning products and ask yourself if you really do need
it. Many times it isn't necessary.
There are 2 basic products that most people keep in their
kitchen that work great for cleaning many different surfaces.
.. baking powder and vinegar. I'm including a couple of
simple recipes that you can make yourself that work great
as a household cleaner. For those that want the convenience
of a ready-made product I'm listing a few other items
below. Just remember that with the self-made products
you are also SAVING money, a huge plus in today's economy.
All of the prepared items I am listing can be purchased
at almost any health store or click on Good
Shop. On this page just type in the store name VITA-COST
or their website which is www.vitacost.com.
Once on the Vita-cost website you will see each product
that I've listed below and how to order them. They are
almost always discounted, plus you can order as much as
you want for only 4.99 shipping. Many times for me the
cost is much cheaper than going to my local health food
store.
By ordering them thru the Bird-Haven website you will
be giving us the opportunity to earn a small % to help
the Haven. If you go directly to the Vita-Cost website
without clicking thru the Bird-Haven website we aren't
given the % kickback for your order. Please take the time
to purchase thru our site… cost is the same for you-
yet makes a big difference to the birds at the Haven.
Every penny helps.
By the way--- www.vitacost.com
isn't the only store you can buy from to allow us to get
that % kick-back. There are hundreds of others. Please
take a few minutes to see what other stores you shop that
we could benefit from as well.
PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS
LAUNDRY PRODUCTS
DISHWASHER PRODUCTS
HOUSEHOLD CLEANING PRODUCTS
GENERAL ALL-PURPOSE CLEANERS
PAINT/STAINS/STRIPPERS
AUTO CLEANING PRODUCTS
PERSONAL
CARE PRODUCTS
DEODERANTS--- There are many different ones to
try. I've used Tom's of Maine, Aubrey, Jason's, Burt's
Bees, and others. I'm not going to lie--- this is one
item that doesn't work as well as the antiperspirant you've
been using. However, if you really stop and consider what
an antiperspirant is actually doing to you (clogging your
pores) you would agree that the deodorant (even if you
have to apply it more than once a day) is worth the health
risks. Did you know that antiperspirants have been linked
to causing cancer as well as Alzheimer Disease???
SHAMPOO---Many different types-but I use the Aubrey
Organics for dry brittle hair. It never leaves a residue
on my hair and my hair always feels clean and soft. More
than one beautician has commented on how soft my hair
feels. I contribute it to the fact that I use only natural
organic products.
CONDITIONER--- Again, many different types- but
I use the Aubrey Organics for dry hair. The fragrance
is mild… honeysuckle rose- but nothing that is overpowering…
even a guy can use this and not worry about the smell.
BATH SOAP--- There are many different types of
bath soap products on the Vita-Cost website. All are good-
and healthy for you and your family. I prefer to use Dr.
Bronner's liquid Castile soap. It comes in several different
fragrances.. tea tree, almond, lavender, original, peppermint,
hemp almond, citrus, baby soap, rose, hemp eucalyptus…
and others. I use the Earth Therapeutic" body sponge
as my cleaning rag and boy does this soap really later
up well on this sponge. You'll love it. My personal favorite
is hemp almond.
HAIRSPRAY--- I personally never use hairspray,
but Jason's and Aubrey both make one that is very good…
take your pick.
MOUSSE/GEL---On the occasion that I do wish for
a little extra hold- I choose Giovanni Natural Mousse.
Air-turbo charged, it comes out like foam--- so it is
easy to get just a tad rubbed into your hair instead of
too much. There are many others- but this is the one I
choose when I need a mousse.
MAKE-UP--- BASE/FOUNDATION--- any mineral make-up
is non-toxic. Well, although I don't use a lot of makeup,
there is one product that I do love when I do need to
get dressed up and look nice. It is called Tinted Facial
Moisturizer. The one I've always used is by Burt's Bee's,
however they have recently stopped carrying this product.
I'm currently waiting for an order for a different Tinted
Moisturizer. The moisturizer works like a make-up base
to cover up imperfections in the skin- but yet is a moisturizer
allowing your skin to breath naturally. The one make-up
type product I won't be without.
LIP-STICK--- I also love the Burt's Bees lip shimmer.
It comes in many different colors and feels silky, not
sticky on your lips.
MASCARA--- I typically buy Ecco Bella Mascara from
Vita-Cost. There are other brands there that work just
as well.
POWDER, BLUSH AND EYESHADOW--- For my other make-up
products I buy only mineral based powdered. I purchase
several years ago from a company called Sweet Scents.
They can be found at www.sweetscents.com. Be sure to check
out their clearance section. You can find almost any color
of eye shadow you want at ½ the original cost.
Plus, a little goes a long way. Find a friend to split
the product with because if you buy as I did (1 oz packages)
you can probably have enough for an entire lifetime of
that same color. Just be sure to purchase the little "sifter
pot" containers as well. You will need 1 for each
color of shadow. You can also order eyeliner, powders,
blushes, etc. from this same company at a fraction of
the cost of other mineral based companies.
LAUNDRY PRODUCTS
DETERGENT--- I always prefer a liquid. I usually
either use Seventh Generation or Earth Friendly Ultra
Eco brand.
SPOT REMOVER--- I have tried both Seventh Generation
and Mrs. Meyer's brands. Both work great.
FABRIC SOFTENER--- I've used Seventh Generation
and Earth Friendly. There is also a fabric softener sheet
if you prefer this. It is by Sun and Earth.
BLEACH--- Seventh Generation and many others make
a non-chlorine fabric bleach that is much safer and less
toxic than the chlorinated type.
DISHWASHER PRODUCTS
DISH-WASHING LIQUID--- FOR DISWASHERS---I
use Seventh Generation.
DISH-WASHING LIQUID--- FOR HAND-WASHING--- I USE
THE SAME Dr. Bronner's Castile that I use for showering.
I use this same item for many different things around
the house.
SPOT TREATMENT- FOR DISHWASHING--- Haven't found
a product that substitutes for this but then again---
don't have a need for this either. You might try just
adding a squirt or two of vinegar to the final rinse-that
usually works well on spots and streaks.
HOUSEHOLD
CLEANING PRODUCTS
SHOWERS AND TUBS--- I typically use an all purpose
non-toxic cleaner instead of one specific for the showers
but they do make several. Seventh Generation I know
sells one specific for cleaning the shower.
TOILET BOWLS--- same as above--- Seventh Generation
and many other companies make a non-toxic toilet bowl
cleaner.
FLOORS--- Earth Friendly Floor Cleaner is good
for most hard-surfaced floors such as tile, laminate
and wood surfaces.
CARPET CLEANER--- Earth Friendly Carpet Shampoo---
Please remember that when you rent a carpet machine
the toxic chemicals might still be in the hoses, etc.
Make a thorough cleaning of the equipment before you
use the carpet cleaner in your home. As always, even
though you are using a seemingly non-toxic product-
please make arrangements for your birds and other animals
to be out of the house during and for several hours
afterward to avoid any respiratory distress.
CARPET SPOT REMOVER--- Seventh Generation makes
a good carpet spot remover.
ODOR ELIMINATOR--- When I need to make my house
smell nice--- I just put a small handful of cloves on
the stove in a pan of boiling water. You can buy cloves
by the pound at www.star-botanicals.com.
You can also use Essential oils by the drop (make sure
you only buy from www.young-living.com
or www.swissorganics.ch).
These two companies are very careful about buying and
using only the highest quality products when making
their oils. Don't settle for second best. You can use
things such as orange, lavender or bergamot essential
oils dripped into a pan of boiling water as well. You
will only need a few drops each time.
If you want something to put on the carpet---
try adding a few drops of good-smelling Essential oils
into a shaker both with baking soda. Baking soda is
an all-natural odor grabber and when you add the Essential
oil to this it makes a great substitute for carpet fresh.
Just sprinkle it down and vacuum it up as you would
the chemical type such as Carpet Fresh.
You can also throw down a handful of whole cloves and
vacuum them up. The cloves will be broken up inside
the vacuum cleaner. The scent will then be distributed
throughout the room and house.
FURNITURE CLEANER/POLISHER--- I personally don't
buy a store-bought furniture polish. I make my own.
Here is the recipe.
Pine Fragrance Furniture Polish
1/4 cup of olive oil
2 TBLS lemon oil
20 drops of pine essential oil
This is a scented oil designed for hydrating old dry
wood. Mix all ingredients in a bowl and apply with a
cleaning cloth.
Lemon Fragrance Furniture Polish
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 tsp olive oil
10 drops of essential lemon oil
This recipe is for cleaning wood. Mix all ingredients
in a bowl and apply with a cleaning cloth.
Cedar and Patchouli Furniture Cleaner
1/2 cup liquid Castile soap
3/4 cup water
10 drops of patchouli essential oil
15 drops of cedar essential oil
I use the above recipe about 4-6 times per year--- just
to get off any left-over residue that might be left
on the furniture with continued use of the polish oils.
GENERAL
ALL-PURPOSE CLEANERS
WINDOW/GLASS CLEANER--- I typically use
vinegar and water with an added essential oil but there
are several good cleaners for glass on the Vita-Cost
Website. Seventh Generation would be my choice if I
had to purchase one, but I prefer the results with the
Vinegar/water/EO. Remember that one of the main problems
with cleaning glass is the "lint" that accumulates
when you are wiping if off. Try using old newspaper
for this job and see if you get a more "lint-free"
result.
SCOURING CLEANER--- Try using a mixture of baking
soda, salt and an essential oil. Baking Soda is a great
cleaner and the salt adds the "scrub". If
you prefer a store-bought yet chemical free version
try Mrs. Meyers Surface Scrub.
PAINT/STAINS/STRIPPERS
Obviously if you are going to do any major renovating
in your home it is best to board your feathered friends
(as well as your furr babies). It is my belief that
even young babies and the elderly need to be removed
from the environment during this time because their
immune system is compromised. Be sure to air out the
home for several hours before bringing them back into
the environment. One company that I have used with great
success is called Eco Safety Products. They have concrete
stains, wood stains, paints, strippers, etc. all that
are non-toxic. You can find them on the web at www.ecosafetyproducts.com.
I have also purchased non-toxic paint from Sherwin Williams.
The brand I buy is Harmony. It is both non-toxic as
well as low VOC. I am just in the beginning stages of
working on a shelving product in the Haven using wood
stain called BioShield. The website is www.bioshieldpaint.com.
This stain is non-toxic and has very deep- rich colors.
I can't wait to see the finished product.
AUTO CLEANING
PRODUCTS
CAR WASH/WAX--- I've never used it but have read
that the product called Ecover Car Wash and Wax is a
great product.
If you have any testimonials or suggestion on other
products we should add to this list of non-toxic products
please send us an email at de@bird-haven.org.
We would love to include your thought about the different
suggested products.
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