When my mother in law sent me the book green this! greening your cleaning  by deidre imus I took my sweet time to sit down and read it.  I didn't pick it up for at least a month. When I finally got to skimming it, I kind of had a panic attack. There are so many crazy things that normal, smart, "healthy" people do everyday (all day) in a false attempt to "clean" everything. 

I started out in the "fact section." Great. Hypochondria, paranoia, guilt, stupidity ..all those feelings set in when I read through the hundreds of toxic choices my friends, family and I make all the time. It was a real eye opener.  Here's a bit of info to get your hearlt palpatating.

The EPA estimates 80,000 chemicals in the environment.

Toxin Types [pp31-32]:

neurotoxins-chemicals that affect brain/nervous system

found in: air fresheners, disinfectants, spot removers, permanant press fabrics

carcinogens- chemicals that cause or aggrevate cancer cells

found in: all purpose cleaners, dishwashing liquids, furniture polish, oven cleaners, glass/window spray, air fresheners, spray starch, flea and roach bombs, spot removers

mutagens- agents that cause permanant genetic cellular change

found in: air freshener, cleaners, detergents, spray starch, disinfectants, furniture polish

endocrine disruptors- agents that interfere  (or mimic) with hormone / reproductive system

found in: some laundry detergents, furniture waxes, metal polishes

teratogens- substances that interfere with fetal development

found in glass cleaners, all purpose cleaners spray starch

After browsing that section, I read through facts such as dieases associated with chemical exposure (everything from adhd to tremors), types of cleaners (solvents to propellants), marketing tactics (saying "natural" when it's not a green product), where to find all these crazy chemicals, including petrollium distillates [EVERYWHERE from lipgloss to motor oil]...an on and on...

SO, after capturing my full attention, I read on to all kinds of ways to make my home safer, healthier and naturally cleaner.

Did you know air fresheners and toilet bowl cleaner vapors are extremely toxic? Did you stop to consider that burning candles can emit hazardous chemicals? Did you ever think  of your indoor plants as air purifiers?  Have you considered using natural, cheap substances like vinegar, lemon juice, hydrogen peroxide, salt and baking soda as household cleaners? 

I hadn't before reading this book.  I often bought less toxic lemon/citrus cleaner but  I quickly realized that there is MUCH more to it than that. So now, I have no choice but to reconsider my foolish ways. Here are a few ideas that everyone can use starting TODAY without making an expensive trip to the organic food store and investing in pre-bottled all natural household cleaners!

in the kitchen...

a baking soda & lemon juice paste can scrub sinks and countertops

in the bathroom...

adjusting ventilation can mean the difference between inhaling toxic chlorinated gases and breathing cleaner air

in the bedroom...

make natural mothballs from rosemary, mint, thym, ginseng & cloves (ok, you might have to go to the store for this stuff, lol)

in the living room...

use essential oil diffusers vs. candles and air fresheners

in the laundry room...

use distilled white vinegar vs. toxic fabric softeners

and so much more...

Beyond all the practical tips like these, the book is well researched and all proceeds benefit kids with cancer. SO, if I were to pick a top Christmas/ holiday/birthday gift??? This is one for the list.   Nice choice MIL, thanks...

Book Description (from amazon.com)

Change the way you clean and keep your family's home wholesome and healthy with the help of expert and activist Deirdre Imus.

We all grew up thinking chemical smells like bleach and ammonia signaled "clean." But as Deirdre Imus reveals, some of the chemicals we use to maintain our homes are doing us and our families much more harm than good. In Greening Your Cleaning, the first in her Green This! series, Deirdre shows how cleaning house the environmentally responsible way can be as effective and often cheaper than the more traditional, toxic, means. This volume includes:

• Simple, efficient cleaning methods for every room of the house

• Spotlights on everyday products (all purpose cleaner, glass/window cleaner, laundry detergent) and the toxic ingredients you should be wary of

• Summaries of the latest research on the toxic effects of ordinary chemicals

• Resource lists of widely available "green cleaning" products and retailers

Filled with tips and testimonials, Greening Your Cleaning will show you how to streamline your cleaning products and practices, and how easy it is to make "living green" your way of life.