It used to be that if you needed to clean something in your house you just made a trip to the grocery store and perused the cleaning aisle. You would just throw into your cart whatever cleaning product caught your eye or maybe something you had a coupon for or you saw an advertisement and it sounded promising so you're going to give it a try. More recently though, there has been a trend towards homemade cleaning products that are made from all natural products. Products you may have in your home already. These homemade products can take the place of store bought floor cleaners, kitchen and bathroom cleaners, stain and odor removers and so much more. One of my all time favorites is white vinegar. You can use it almost anywhere in the home. It's inexpensive, it's usually something already in the pantry and it's good for the environment. White vinegar is a great cleaner for removing pet stains as well. Vomit, feces and urine stains come out easily with a quick application of my vinegar cleaning solution.

An added benefit is that vinegar is a deodorizer so it doesn't just remove pet stains, it removes any lingering odors. First of all, vinegar works. We use gallons of it at Mrs Clean. Vinegar is a natural deodorizer, mild disinfectant and germicide. It leaves no residue, so you don't have to rinse the stain again after cleaning with it. Vinegar is safe for just about every surface: carpet, wood floors, linoleum, vinyl and tile or ceramic floors. On a side note, vinegar is not safe for use on stone floors such as marble or travertine. Vinegar is mildly acidic and can cause surface damage to these delicate types of stone. It can also remove the shine and make the stone look dull and spotty. Vomit can ruin marble too, even more quickly than vinegar due to its extremely strong acidic nature. If you are concerned about a vinegar smell - Let me just say don't be. Granted, you may not like the smell but it won't linger for too long. The "vinegary smell" will disperse as it dries so don't worry about the house smelling like salad dressing for too long.

You can always open a door or window when cleaning with it. Try to remove the stain as soon as possible. If allowed to set in or dry, it's much harder to remove the stain. Cleaning up pet vomit, feces or urine with a vinegar and water solution may take several applications but it will work and as we mention above, vinegar is a natural deodorizer and will remove any of those pet odors. This method will work on upholstered furniture as well. Because you don't want the liquids soaking deep into the padding, use something like a shop vac to suck out the liquids. If you have a delicate or expensive area rug and your pet pees, poops, or vomits on it, check with the manufacturer if you are concerned about using vinegar to remove any of these. Vomit especially contains strong acids that can severely damage delicate fabrics. At the very least, it should be safe to remove and gently rinse biological materials with cool water.  Dab with a clean cloth to dry then check with the manufacturer as soon as possible.

Image courtesy of Microsoft office 13Most of us, unless we have severe allergies or sensitivities to chemicals, may not be aware of all the chemicals that surround us in our homes.But whether or not we know it, toxins -- substances that are poisonous or harmful to the body -- are everywhere, from the polyurethane we use to finish our floors, to the paint on our walls, the glue used for wallpaper, our upholstery fabrics, rugs and even mattresses.cleaning laptop fan with q tipToxins can also be found in the products we clean our homes with, and in the mold that may have begun growing in the basement and that can spread its tiny spores, unseen, throughout our living space. best cylinder vacuum cleaner ukEven the water we use to bathe ourselves is usually treated with chlorine, a substance that can cause respiratory problems.cost for dryer vent cleaning

What can we do to create safe home environments in a way that works with our needs and resources? There's a lot of information out there and it can be difficult to wade through it all.While it's hard to completely avoid toxic chemicals, we can take action to reduce our exposure. Families have to balance risk reduction with lifestyle issues, assessing their health -- whether or not they have an immediate medical need, such as a severely asthmatic child, the age of children, and other factors, such as financial resources. clean dust from laptop coolerSome will choose not to "green" their entire life at once, others will choose to take a step-by-step approach, changing one area at a time, while others may make significant changes on a variety of fronts.best homemade upholstery cleaning solution

Whatever your choices are, this article will bring you up to speed on the latest information you can use to help create a toxin-free home. And, you can start with the air you breathe!Bring in Fresh AirIn a five-year study, the EPA found significantly higher concentrations of 20 toxic compounds inside homes than outdoors. Among these compounds were some linked to cancer and birth defects. To help remedy the problem:Use Non-toxic Cleaning and Washing ProductsMost detergents are formulated from petrochemicals, and may contain bleaches, synthetic whiteners, and artificial fragrances, all of which can cause skin irritations and breathing problems.best way to clean wood floors with polyurethaneVisit Earth Friendly Products for more great tips.Use Paints and Finishes that Don't Emit ToxinsMost paints and finishes release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) -- a major class of indoor pollutants -- into the home.

These paints and finishes may continue to "off gas" -- emit toxic gases -- for months or years, causing irritations and health problems. In fact, the Air Resources Board of California shows how the emissions from paint continue to contaminate the air in a building over two years later.Purchase Furniture that Doesn't Release FormaldehydeUnfortunately, the plywood, pressed wood, particle board and medium density fiberboard, which are used in most furniture today, are generally treated with formaldehyde, a suspected carcinogen, and can emit fumes for as long as five years. .Incorporate Cabinets, Counter Tops and Shelving that Doesn't Emit ToxinsParticleboard, which is typically used for cabinets, counter-tops, and shelving, usually contains formaldehyde. Most finishes commonly used contain toxins. and Stainless Steel Kitchens.Beware of Clothing and Linens that Contain Toxic ChemicalsMost clothing and linens have been treated with flame-retardant chemicals, which can be toxic.Check Children's Pajamas and Flame Retardant FabricsFor some parents, flame-retardant pajamas are really an issue as the chemicals may be the cause of their kids' allergies.

If this is the case, there are alternatives. One possible solution for pajamas is to purchase snug fitting cotton pajamas. Parent will need to weigh their options according to the severity and cause of their childrens' allergies and or level of toxin exposure tolerated..Substitute Mattresses Made of Natural FibersMost mattresses are made from plastic foam products and polyesters, with a mix of flame-retardant chemicals added. The chemicals in bedding most often cited as potential sources of concern are pesticides, herbicides, fire retardants, stain-resistant solvents, the various substances in synthetic fibers and formaldehyde. This combination may cause breathing, skin and asthmatic reactions.Look Down at CarpetsToxic gases that emanate from synthetic carpeting have been found to be the cause of many indoor air problems. Synthetic carpeting -- made from petroleum-derived plastic fibers -- is usually installed with solvent-based adhesives, which emit toxic gases believed to create asthma, dizziness, headaches, and other allergic reactions.

Natural fiber carpeting such as wool, sisal, cotton or jute, laid with solvent-free adhesives, provides a healthier alternative.If you do use synthetic carpets, ventilate the house continually for about 72 hours after installation.Explore Healthier Flooring OptionsWhen evaluating flooring, it is helpful to remember that flooring that has already been in a home or apartment over five years may have already off-gassed the dangerous fumes. Therefore, living with it may be fine for you. However, synthetic floors that are older and have deep scratches may be emitting chemicals. In this case, you may want to have a "green" builder evaluate your situation.Most vinyl building materials are made with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which can cause cancer, birth defects, genetic changes, chronic bronchitis, ulcers, skin diseases, deafness, vision failure, indigestion and liver dysfunction.And, for more information on green builders, visit the U.S. Green Building Council.Avoid Insulation that Contains Formaldehyde and PlasticInsulation commonly contains formaldehyde and plastics, which should be avoided if possible.

However, insulation made from less toxic alternatives -- such as cellulose, cotton, or other formaldehyde-free materials -- is now widely available at most home improvement stores.Read Labels on Art and Hobby Materials and Provide Adequate VentilationWhen using art or hobby materials, many of which emit toxic gases, it's important to read the labels. Art materials with toxic products have warning labels and usually specify an appropriate childrens' age range for use. Be sure to heed all product warnings on craft products for your children.It is always important to have adequate ventilation when using arts and crafts supplies..Choose Natural-Fiber Shower CurtainsAvoid most shower curtains, as they are made from PVC. Instead, choose a natural-fiber curtain, made from hemp, organic cotton, or even your old cotton flat sheets.Choose Furniture and Metal Polishes that Don't Contain PetroleumPolishes contain petroleum distillates, which, with long-term use, are linked to cancer. Instead, choose a polish made of natural products.

For more information, go to Pristine Planet.Avoid Plastic Food PackagingPlastic packaging is unstable, which means the chemicals can migrate into the food or drink. Some plastics migrate when heated up, others when cooled down, and still others upon contact. If you microwave plastic, it may increase the contamination level.It's safest to avoid plastic wraps, #3 PVC and #6 Polystyrene and to substitute glass or metal containers for plastic ones.Avoid any Pesticides in the Home, as well as Deodorizers with Petroleum-based Fragrances Avoid any use of pesticides within your house, as they release toxic chemicals into the air. Also avoid deodorizers with petroleum-based fragrances that are released into the air each time they are used.Have a Healthy PerspectiveKeeping our homes free of toxins is a never-ending issue. We'll always be faced with choices, and depending on our health and wealth, our decisions will differ. But if we keep ourselves informed, and make healthier choices over time, we can gradually create homes that are less toxic and better for our family's overall health.