How can i disinfect and be eco-friendly?

Question

for a while now i've been doing everything i can to leave the smallest negative impact on the earth by:

- recycling all my paper, cans, bottles, and greens (for compost)

-using cloth shopping bags whenever i can

-being a vegetarian and buying organic as much as i can

- using energy saving settings on my clothes and dish washer

- using the least water and energy possible

- taking the bus/train/carpool rather than driving

yet the one thing i cant bring myself to stop doing is using disinfecting wipes to clean my house. its terrible because i go through twelve 35 clorox wipe canisters every two to three months. also when i dust or clean my floor i'll only use the disposable swiffer pads. in the bathroom i use the flushable toilet cleaners. i guess i'm kind of a germaphobe. but honestly the thought of cleaning my toilet and using that same cloth to wipe the sink counter grosses me out beyond belief! this is a terrible habit that i want to break. whats the best way to go about this? thanks

Answer 1

Why would you use the same cloth to wipe the sink that whipped the toilet, that's crazy?  You don't need those disinfectants, you just need a few clean paper towels and window cleaner take care of the cleaning.  The biggest problem with western society is the fear of germs. That fear has been fostered by companies trying to sell you their cleaners and telling you that you need to fear germs while you dish out the cash buying their c**p that damages the environment.  When you use these disinfectants you are encouraging the evolution of chemical resistant bacteria and thereby making those disinfectants useless over time.  

The fact is, you need to be exposed to germs to stay healthy.

Do you work out and try to stay healthy?  How physically fit are you for working out?  Your immune system is the same as anything in your body, you need to use it or it becomes weakened.  If you continually live in a sterile environment your immune system never gets a workout and you end up risking getting sick with an immune system ill prepared to fight those microbes.  You can use those expensive wipes, but you are you are actually endangering yourself and those around you.

George Carlin in his typical way said it best  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgGn4iiTK...

Answer 2

maybe have one cloth for the kitchen and a different one for the bathroom

Answer 3

I am very conscious of the earth. I use essential oils to disinfect with.  Get spray bottle, grain alcohol, lavendar, tea tree and eucalyptus essential oils and use for disinfecting.  Some people even like putting a little orange essential oils for nice citrus scent.  They work wonders and clean, disinfect wonderfully.  Also I use Sun and Earth laundry detergent, vinegar, baking soda to cut grease and wash clothes.  I clean once a week really good.  Don't be afraid of germs, be more afraid of commercial cleaning products.  Our bodies are built to fight germs.  Mind over matter!

Answer 4

Chlorine bleach, used according to directions, is absolutely killer to bacteria and viruses, so I'm not sure why you say it "doesn't cut it".  

I use old towels, cut into about 1-1/2 foot lengths and wash them in a front-loader with ~ 1/2 cup of bleach.  

As for using the same cloth on the toilet and then on the sink, why not clean the sink first?

Answer 5

the best defense against germs are anti bodies

they breed naturally

by over disinfecting ,

you by pass the natural defenses ,

and in fact become more vulnerable .

our past generations survived to ripe old ages

with out modern chemicals ,

Lemon,Salt ,Lavender,hot water,washing the cloths

and using different ones for different places.

example

the bath room stuff is not used in the kitchen

Always used to work. well enough.

add a bit of bleach if you like .

The chemical companies must love you.

Answer 6

http://www.simplegreen.com/

Answer 7

Use the Method brand cleaning wipes - they are antibacterial and environmentally friendly.

Lemon juice is considered nature's bleach - it kills lots of bacteria.

Shaklee has a lot of good non-toxic, biodegradable, hospital grade cleaners that work well.  '

Lemon juice, baking soda and vinegar still remain my favorite.  

In fact, those chemical cleaners you are using are worse for your health than the germs you are so worried about getting rid of.  

p.s. purchase different color microfiber cleaning cloths and designate them for different rooms - that way your toilet one is never used on anything else.  If you can't find them in the cleaning section, look in the car care section - they are designed to clean windows and shiny surfaces like car exteriors and countertops.

Additionally, you can wash those in your laundry, and you are not putting disposable anything into a landfill to leech chemicals and breakdown toxins for the next 1000 years.

Read the health report article I also included in the source list.......very enlightening.  

The pacificsands link lists the chemicals that are in those cleaners and what they can do to your body over time.....very scary

Answer 8

why don't you just have certain cloths meant for cleaning the toilet only?

"its terrible because i go through twelve 35 clorox wipe canisters every two to three months."

yes you do sound a bit like a germaphobe, that is a lot of canisters there