Looking for Scientific Data on Natural Cleaning vs Chemical

Updated on April 18, 2011
A.M. asks from Austin, TX
6 answers

I try to avoid toxic chemicals in my home and clean mostly with vinegar and hot water, castille soap and borax (not related to boric acid at all, it's a naturally derived cleaner). My mother thinks that bleach is a wonder product which should be used on every surface in the house. I think it's a nasty toxic liquid that causes respiratory illness.

I read on a package of disinfecting wipes that you don't get the disinfecting properties unless you keep the surface wet for something like 15 seconds. Well nobody does that. Usually you just run your hand over it a couple of times and it dries.

Anyway, I've been searching the internet long and hard trying to find some real data on the germ killing properties of various cleaning products and also on the dangers of various products. Does anyone know of a good website with real data (not anecdotal evidence)?

Many thanks!

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.K.

answers from Appleton on

You can boil rosemary in water, strain the water, and use it to disinfect your bathroom and kitchen. I have several books on herbs and herbal medicine. You might want to check herbal and holistic healing sites.

There is not a lot of real data, the FDA has blocked the information.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.B.

answers from Milwaukee on

That's a really good question! You can try searching for scholarly and medical research studies on Google Scholar. I'll start looking too because I'm curious.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.B.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I went to a Green Clean party recently for essential oils and the woman that owns the site seems to answer all sorts of questions in a timely manner via her website - maybe try her?
http://www.greencleanchic.com/product.asp?s_UPC=705105969...

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.K.

answers from San Antonio on

There is a household product database that provides information about different chemicals. Just enter what you want information about in the search box, choose whether it's a product name or type or whatever, and search. The results are detailed, and the data is real.

Here's the link
http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/household/se...

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.D.

answers from Houston on

You can try PubMed - www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed but it is very scientific oriented and sometimes difficult to comprehend even for someone like me who works in the scientific industry. I would also look up WebMD.com many of the articles on there are very helpful.

good luck

C.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.B.

answers from Houston on

I know that Shaklee had studies done about bleach and kids - HORRIBLE!! Not sure where you can get them other than a Shaklee rep.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions