This weeks article was to be about Green Cleaning. Don't worry that is still to come.  However, as I tried to organize the information this Swine Flu (aka H1N1) thing and other assorted ideas kept coming into my thoughts. So I'm going to jump on the bandwagon and add my thoughts to the fray on the subject.

(NOTE: I am not a medical professional. Nor am I biochemist or other science professional, though I used to teach science. These are my own personal opinions and don't necessarily represent this site, other writers or site's management.)

There is a saying among my siblings and me, "Better Living through Chemistry". Now, I have heard this said by others as well so I know it is not unique to us. However, I think it is time to amend this saying a bit. How about, "Better Living through SMART chemistry."

A thing to know about us siblings (6) is that we are all somewhat involved in science whether directly or indirectly. We view the world in terms of biology and chemistry among other ‘sciency’ things. These things are NATURAL. Many chemicals are natural. They are found in nature and have a purpose and a use. Problems start when an imbalance of chemicals to biology and vice versa occurs.

So I will be proposing "Green Living through SMART chemistry" when it comes to Green Cleaning. (Coming soon)

To foreshadow the upcoming article a bit, I propose some household cleaner alternatives and some home made concoctions that work well. These disinfectants are also going to minimize or eliminate those chemicals that are contaminating our water in ways that we never even thought of (see Disinfectants Create Toxic By-products).

However, we are in the midst of a possible Swine Flu pandemic (See this CDC link for more info). I think to myself, "NOW WHAT".  Then I say to myself, "This is what: Time for the big bad chemistry concoctions."

We should not be using these big bad chemistry concoctions on a regular basis in our daily lives (sans specific instances like raw meat). It is for just a time as this, that we SHOULD pull out the anti-bacterial/anti-viral soaps and cleansers, but still be smart about it.  Now is the time to pull out that chlorine bleach, ammonia, and alcohol to help contain those pesky germs. Please remember though "a little dab will do you". Disinfecting can still be done in a GREEN way. (Disinfecting is done AFTER cleaning the dirt off. Though it can be done at the same time if you use a soap or detergent as well). I would love to find a botanical disinfectant that is proven as effective as bleach for these new viruses and bacteria. But until I do, I will be using bleach moderately when needed. I don't want to grow mega germs in my house. You know, those bacteria that are becoming immune to known anti-biotic medications.

Here are some of those "little dabs that will do you" recipes to help you through this possible pandemic. As an extra benefit, these recipes will also save you some of that other green.

BLEACH
Mix just 1 tablespoon of bleach with 1 quart of water and use it as a disinfectant in kitchens and bathrooms instead of more concentrated and damaging cleaners. (Don't put extra bleach in your solution. It's not necessary.) The CDC recommends bleach as the ideal way to kill viruses, bacteria, parasites, and microbes. If you put it into a clearly marked spray bottle, the bleach will not evaporate and you can mix it up and just use what you need as you need it. However, A solution of bleach and water loses its strength quickly and easily when exposed to heat and sunlight or aloud to evaporate. For best results mix what you need when you need it. Remember proportions. For added disinfection, spray on your surface and let set for 10 minutes before wiping. 
The solution of bleach and water is easy to mix, is nontoxic, is safe if handled properly, and kills most infectious agents. (Be aware that some infectious agents are not killed by bleach. For example, cryptosporidia is only killed by ammonia or hydrogen peroxide.)

ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL
Use isopropyl alcohol (full strength or diluted 1/2 with water), spray it on or pour into your cloth and wipe clean. Once again make sure your spray bottle is clearly marked. You can also by Isopropyl Alcohol in bulk.

AMMONIA
2 Tbsp. ammonia
1/2 cup rubbing alcohol
1/4 cup vinegar
water

Put ammonia, alcohol and vinegar in a clearly marked spray bottle and fill with water. This works especially good for counter-tops but may also be used to clean showers, toilets and sinks. Great for most cleaning needs.

Important tip: NEVER mix ammonia and bleach.
Another tip: Use in a well ventilated area.
One more tip: Use ammonia sparingly. It is the most harmful of the chemicals listed here.

KEEP ALL QUESTIONABLE MATERIALS/FLUIDS OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

So Live Green, Clean Green, and as Douglas Adams said in the Hitch-Hikers Guide To The Galaxy, "DON'T PANIC".

-LizBeth

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