Natural Living

Naturally Jo

The queen of eco chic, Jo Wood, lets us in on her tips for how to clean the green way.

The queen of eco chic, Jo Wood, lets us in on her tips for how to clean the green way.
My eco journey began back in 1989. Once I had made changes to both my diet and my beauty regime I then started asking questions about what I was using to clean my home.

Some of the products we use to clean our kitchens and bathrooms may do a great job, but they are toxic to humans, animals and the environment. Some products have been linked to allergies, illness, headaches, dizziness, breathing problems and skin reactions. You can now find many wonderful eco cleaning products, and they are starting to have a bigger presence in the supermarkets too. This delights me when I’m doing my weekly shop as you can really see that a change is happening. They aren’t all certified organic but they are environmentally friendly which is a great starting point. Here is a guideline of what to avoid: Bleach – A lung and eye irritant which can create a toxic gas if it is mixed with the wrong products.

Petroleum-based products – These are made from coal tar which is carcinogenic and when poured down drains goes straight into the food chain. Triclosan – This is an antibacterial agent which can be found in dishwashers, toilet cleaners and deodorants. It can cause infertility and organ failure and is toxic to aquatic life.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) – Formaldehyde, toluene, styrene, xylene and trichloroethylene are all VOCs. These are manmade chemicals and many household products release VOCs into the air. Studies have found these can cause breathing difficulties, cancer, birth defects and can disrupt our hormones. It’s important to remember that these man-made chemicals have only been around for the last 50 years. We don’t yet know the full side effects, but at least we can be proactive by making a stand and making small changes in the home. My mum passed on lots of tips to me, which I’d love to share with you too.

White vinegar – This can be used for so many jobs in the house such as descaling kettles, taps and showerheads. You can also clean windows and mirrors with it by polishing with newspaper.

Bicarbonate of soda – Great for blocked drains as well as cleaning dirty pans, ovens or baths.

Lemon – This can help remove food smells from your hands. It is also great for removing stains on clothes and for cleaning chopping boards. Just dip the lemon into salt and scrub away. You can also work on your silver too.

Article by

Jo Wood

Healthy and Organic Living Guru

is a healthy and organic living guru and creator of her own natural beauty range

Discover more

Article by

Jo Wood

Healthy and Organic Living Guru

is a healthy and organic living guru and creator of her own natural beauty range

Discover more