Green your Clean
REDUCING TOXINS FROM YOUR CLEANERS

FAQ’s on Green Cleaning Products
Do they kill
bacteria?
White vinegar reduces surface bacteria, making it
a safe alternative to bleach. In a 1994 study by
the Journal of Environmental Health, vinegar was
found to reduce the amount of bacteria on a
hard surface, although it was less effective than
commercial cleaners.
Most vodka is 80 proof, or 40 percent alcohol by
volume, it can be used as a disinfectant to
remove mold and mildew.
Hydrogen peroxide has been used as an
antiseptic on cuts because of its abilities to kill
bacteria by breaking down cell walls.
The simple combination of water and heat makes
for the ultimate economical and chemical-free
disinfectant. When heated to at least 200
degrees Fahrenheit, steam not only eliminates
tough stuck-on stains and grease, but can also
sanitize both hard and soft surfaces.
How many toxins
are in the average
home?
The average home today
contains 62 toxic chemicals -
more than a chemistry lab at the
turn of the century. B.
More than 72,000 synthetic
chemicals have been produced
since WW II. C. Less than 2% of
synthetic chemicals have been
tested for toxicity, mutagenic,
carcinogenic, or birth defects.
Why are household
cleaning products
dangerous?
Many cleaning supplies or household
products can irritate the eyes or
throat, or cause headaches and other
health problems, including cancer.
Some products release dangerous
chemicals, including volatile organic
compounds (VOCs).
Other harmful ingredients include
ammonia and bleach.

Toxins in Cleaning Supplies
 Over 80,000 chemicals found in conventional cleaning
supplies are unregulated by the federal government.
 Individually, these chemicals are linked to asthma,
reproductive harm, infertility, various cancers, and other
serious health problems, and we don’t even know what the
health implications might be when they are used in
combination

Cleaning Supply Labels
 You can find these chemicals and more
written in the small print of ingredient
lists (if you can even find ingredient lists)
on conventional cleaning supplies.
 Manufacturers aren’t required to
disclose ingredients on labels, making it
impossible for consumers to know what
we are bringing into our living spaces.

Reading Cleaning Supply Labels
Front Label
•Brand Product Name = the name assigned by the manufacturer (e. g.,
Tide, Lysol, Pine-Sol).
•Statement of Identity = what the product does (laundry detergent, air
freshener, multi-surface cleaner)
•Product Features = what is special about the product (product form,
scent, performance claims)
•Signal Word: one of 3 possible words: Caution, Warning, or Danger.
Some products do not have a signal word as their safety profile is very
low and does not present a hazard to the consumer.
•Hazard Statement: a short statement to provide a more detailed
description of the type of hazard, such as eye irritant, corrosive, etc.
•Read Precautions on Back: a statement to indicate where more
information can be found on the package.
•Net Contents Statement: a statement of the net contents of the product.
Provided in both English and Metric units that must be listed at the bottom
third of the front label. The number can be weight or volume, and can list
number of uses, depending on the type of product.
Back Label
•Marketing Claims: statements about what the product does and its key benefits
•Usage Instructions: how to properly use the product for safest and best results. Be
sure to read these before using the product.
•Keep Out of Reach of Children: mandatory statement required on all consumer
products to advise consumers to keep these products out of the reach of children (and
pets)
•Signal Word: repeat of the Signal Word from the front panel
•Hazard Statement: usually repeat of the Hazard Statement from the front panel and
any additional hazard information such as Choking hazard
•Precautionary Statement: details on what situations to avoid to prevent any accidents
or incidents during the use of the product
•First Aid Statement: in the event of accidental exposure, first aid instructions provided
and whom to contact for further medical treatment
•Manufacturer’s Contact Information: discloses the manufacturer’s name, address,
phone number, and Internet contact information for ingredient information. Also, has the
Company Trademark information and the Country of Origin (Made in…) statement
http://www.aboutcleaningproducts.com/education/reading-a-label/

Making Green Cleaning Choices
 Not only are conventional cleaning products bad for our
health, they’re also bad for the planet! Almost everything we
put down our drains ends up in some sort of body of water,
harming people, animal habitats, soil, ecosystems and all
species.
 The good news is that more and more companies are making
cleaning products with non-toxic ingredients, eco-friendly
materials, and biodegradable packaging!
 The Environmental Working Group is leading the way in
research with their recently launched Household Cleaning
Guide to help you make healthier cleaning product choices.
 EWG Cleaners Guide and Rating

DIY Cleaners
THE INGREDIENTS

Water
When making homemade
products, clean tap water may be used
for temporary storage; for long-term
storage use distilled water or boiled
and then cooled water to limit the
possibility of bacteria growth.

Olive Oil
Olive oil is more than just a healthy
cooking oil. It’s also a cleaning tool that
can nourish surfaces and loosen stains,
grease, and grime.
What can you can clean with olive oil?
• Stainless steel appliances (after
removing grease with vinegar)
• Leather chairs
• Kitchen cabinets
• Cast iron pans
• Silverware

Lemon Juice
Natural lemon juice annihilates
mildew and mold, cuts through grease,
and shines hard surfaces.
WHAT TO AVOID CLEANING WITH
LEMON:
• Natural Stone (countertops, flooring, etc.)
• Anything that is brass plated
WHAT TO CLEAN USING LEMON
• Real Brass
• Copper items
• Chrome faucets
• Stains on cutting boards
• Grout
• Boil water and lemon juice in microwave
• Laminate counter tops
• BBQ grills and grates
• Plastic food storage containers
• Much more

Baking Soda
Baking soda is a pantry staple with
proven virus-killing abilities that also
cleans, deodorizes, brightens and cuts
through grease and grime.
WHAT TO AVOID WITH BAKING SODA:
• Most glass surfaces (leaves heavy
residue, but okay if using to scrub off
food particles)
• Adding to a bottle with acids (it dilutes)
• Chrome surfaces (heavy residue)
• Drains! (it will not unclog a drain, it can
make it worse)
WHAT TO USE BAKING SODA ON:
• Fabrics
• Bathroom surfaces (when mixed with
other items)
• Odor Eliminator (like in homemade air
fresheners)

Castile Soap
Castile soap is made from 100 percent
plant oils (uses no animal products or
chemical detergents).
It’s commonly made of coconut, olive,
and hemp oils, but other oils like
avocado, almond and walnut can also
be used.
Ingredient Caution:
Castile soap should never be combined
with vinegar.

Hydrogen
Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide has great
disinfecting properties.
Due to it’s light sensitivity, hydrogen
peroxide should be kept in a dark
container/space.
Ingredient Caution:
Never combine hydrogen peroxide with
vinegar, it will create a peracetic acid
which can be irritating and corrosive.
WHAT TO AVOID WITH HYDROGEN PEROXIDE:
• Mixing with Vinegar (See Above)
• Dark fabrics (This oxidizer may fade darker
fabrics)
WHAT TO USE HYDROGEN PEROXIDE ON:
• It is safe for all surfaces aside from ones above

Vinegar
Vinegar is a solution of water and
acetic acid.
Because of it’s acidic pH, vinegar is
able to break down alkaline or basic
substances, hence it’s use as a cleaning
agent.
Ingredient Caution:
Never mix bleach and vinegar or
vinegar and hydrogen peroxide. These
combinations emit toxic vapors.
What to Avoid with Vinegar
• Marble
• Granite
• Tile
• Stone
• Sealants
• Paints
• Grout
What to Use Vinegar on
• Ceramic
• Plastic
• Metal
• Appliances
• Fabrics

Rubbing
Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol, also known as
isopropyl alcohol, is considered an anti-
septic and sold as such in grocery stores.
It is used in homemade cleaners to kill
germs.
Vodka may be safely substituted for
rubbing alcohol in cleaning recipes.
What to Avoid with Rubbing Alcohol
• Thin paints (like craft paint, nail polish)
• Heat sources (like warm burners, hair
dryers)
What to Use Rubbing Alcohol On
• Anything else!

Essential Oils
Essential oils can do so much more
than just create a pleasant aroma
around the home. Many have
antimicrobial properties, making them a
great alternative for cleaning your
house.
From the kitchen to the bathroom to
the laundry, essential oils can be great
additions to your homemade cleaning
products.
Some common essential oils used for
cleaning
• Thyme Sweet (Thymus vulgaris) –
antibacterial, antiviral
• Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) –
antibacterial, antiviral
• Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) –
antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal
• Spearmint (Mentha spicata) –
antiseptic and clean fresh scent
• Lemon (Citrus limonum) –
antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral

Borax
Out of all the ingredients used to make
homemade cleaners, borax is the most
hotly debated. Over the years, some
people have expressed concerns that Borax
isn’t a safe homemade cleaner, but
consider the alternatives of main-stream
cleaners.
Ingredient Caution:
Make sure to avoid inhaling this ingredient
and keep it away from little hands.
The product receives an F according to the
EWG for respiration concerns (don’t
purposely sniff inside a box of Borax!).
Use with Caution!

Kosher or
Sea Salt
Salt has been well-known for
centuries for its cleaning and preserving
properties.
Salt can be used to soften hard water
and clothes, and even used as a natural
scent booster.
And its abrasive properties can be
used to scour dirty surfaces, particularly
when paired with a lemon or lemon
juice.
WHAT TO AVOID WITH SALT:
• Don’t leave on for a long period of time, it
can leave residue
• Natural Stone
WHAT TO USE SALT ON:
• Anything sticky to exfoliate
• Sinks, tubs, dishes, pans, appliances
• Tools

Let’s DIY some Green
Cleaning Products

Simple Citrus Soft Scrub
1 cup baking soda
1/4 cup liquid castile soap
10 drops lemon essential oil
10 drops lime essential oil
10 drops wild orange essential
oil
Deep Clean Toilet Scrub
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup baking soda
1/3 cup liquid dishwashing soap
1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide
30 drops eucalyptus essential oil
Daily Shower Spray
1.5 cups water
1 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup rubbing alcohol
1 teaspoon natural liquid dish soap (not
castile soap)
15 drops lime essential oil
15 drops melaleuca (tea tree) essential oil
Fresh Linen Spray
1/4 cup distilled water
3 tablespoons witch hazel or vodka
20 drops lavender essential oil
15 drops frankincense essential oil
Dusting Spray
1 cup water
1/4 cup vinegar (cuts through grease and
grime & disinfectants)
2 tsp olive oil (shines and protects wood)
10-15 drops of Lemon essential oil* (makes
your home smell naturally fresh and clean!)
Glass Cleaner
3 cups distilled water
1/4 cup rubbing alcohol or vodka
1/4 cup vinegar
20 drops peppermint or spearmint
essential oil
All Purpose Cleaner (Lemon)
2 cups white vinegar
2 cups water
1 teaspoon natural dish soap (NOT
castile soap)
30 drops lemon essential oil
20 drops melaleuca essential oil
Generic Poo-Pourri
Find a clean 2 oz (or 4 oz) spray bottle.
Combine 10 (or 20) drops of Essential Oils and 1 (or 2) tablespoons
of Rubbing Alcohol in a small spray bottle first.
Shake to mix thoroughly.
Next, add water to the spray bottle, enough to almost reach the
rim.
Shake extremely well — until you’re confident that all of the
different liquids are dispersed evenly throughout.
Instructions: Shake well. Lift lid. 5 sprays before you go!

Is it really worth it to make homemade
cleaning products?
Effectiveness
You may have to put in some additional
elbow grease to get the same outcomes of
the chemicals that make conventional
cleaners so effective.
The recipes you use for making these
products is very important. Some ingredients
will cancel each other out.
If you mix an acid with a base you get
ACID + BASE = SALT + WATER.
Common household cleaners that are
acids:
• Vinegar (acetic acid)
• Lemon juice (citric acid)
Common household cleaners that are
bases (aka alkaline):
• Ammonia
• Baking soda
• Borax
• Bleach (but don’t mix bleach with
anything ever)
Cost
Cost can be broken down into
both the economic cost of the
supplies needed to make the
products and the cost of your time.
In many cases, the economic cost
can be significantly less than the
conventional cleaner.
Health Benefits
This may be the biggest reason to
push for cleaner “green cleaning”
supplies at camp. The toxins
found in conventional cleansers
have clear negative impacts on the
health of the staff and guests
occupying camp spaces.
Educational Opportunities
Consider the opportunity that DIY Green
Cleaners can provide for modeling sustainable
practices for campers and staff at your camp.
Educational signage could highlight the impact
of the choices your camp has made in reducing
or eliminating toxin cleaning products.
Campers could make DIY Cleaning Supplies like a
mattress spray, shower spray or toilet air
freshener (Poo Pouri)
You can educate support staff on safe cleaning
habits to ensure they use proper protection when
using conventional cleaning products.