The days are getting longer, the weather is warming up, the birds are singing… No doubt it's spring! For the gardener that I am, it's the big HAPPINESS! For the housewife… a little less! Hihihi, let's say that spring cleaning is not what I prefer. BUT, it feels so good! We open the windows to let in the fresh spring breeze and air our winter bugs! The first thing I tackled during my green shift were household products. You have no idea to what extent our homes are polluted by all the toxic agents contained in conventional household products, which we sprinkle everywhere without asking too many questions. Do you or your children have respiratory problems such as asthma, frequent headaches or even eczema? It may be a sign that it's time to equip yourself to go green by undertaking a spring cleaning, version 2.0!
“DIY” Solutions
Meet your new best friend: vinegar. With this accessible and economical basic product (and easy to find in bulk!), you can clean just about anything. Even your shower will never have been so sparkling!
Here is MY all-purpose cleaner recipe:
- 1 empty bottle with vaporizer
- 1 cup vinegar
- 1 cup of water
We recommend a ratio of one to one, but you can dilute more for lighter tasks, especially if you don't like the smell of vinegar too much... - 30 drops of essential oil
For example, lavender and lemon, in addition to smelling good, have antibacterial properties. - Castile soap or dish soap (optional)
For those who like to have a little foam, add only a few drops.
We mix everything and we sprinkle cheerfully. For surfaces stained with soap or limescale, leave on for a few minutes, then scrub!
Green products
In recent years (too little for my taste), we have seen the birth of a multitude of small businesses that specialize in the development of eco-responsible household products. We say a big THANK YOU to them, because honestly, with our crazy lives, it's often easier to buy a ready-to-use product... And it's an opportunity to give a big pat on the back to the local economy! At Signé Local, we are fortunate to have among our members two Quebec companies that offer quality products without risk to your health and the environment:
Planette: 100% handmade ecological products
The Laval mother-daughter team behind Planetette has brought the famous Marseille soap up to date! This magical ingredient, composed of 72% olive oil, comes from one of the last artisanal soap factories still using the hot saponification process. Chosen for its cleaning, disinfecting and degreasing properties, Marseille soap is then grated by the Planette team and integrated into its entirely handmade recipes. In addition, it is hypoallergenic and biodegradable. The Ménage Vert! set, which includes an all-purpose cleaner, a floor soap, a cleaning cream and a recurring cream, is perfect for attacking your spring cleaning from ceiling to floor, without toxic products for your health!
Baléco: bulk for future generations
It is in a family spirit that Baléco was born. Always intolerant of synthetic fragrances, Anie Rouleau began designing eco-responsible, fragrance-free products the day she became a mother. The disastrous consequences that chemical irritants could have on the health of her family gave her a sense of urgency. In addition to caring about our health, Baléco wishes to reduce its impact on the environment by offering bulk filling stations to its customers in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors. In addition, since Baléco household products are concentrated, a smaller quantity is needed for such great effectiveness, which translates into savings for you! Its business model: the right choice of biodegradable ingredients, the eco-design of packaging, the reduction of residual materials and the accessibility of local suppliers. The products are notably available in several IGA and Rachelle-Béry grocery stores.
A first step
Have you been thinking about going green with your family for a long time? No need to buy yourself a small farm and grow chickens there! Every little gesture in your daily life has a positive impact on the environment. I therefore encourage you to take a quick and simple first step by changing your household products for eco-responsible solutions!
Take advantage of spring 2017 to make your home HEALTHY!
Happy cleaning!
Cover photo credit: Joannie Houle Art
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