Cut the Chemicals and Go Green This Spring-clean with Lisa Bronner’s Low-tox Cleaning Tips
June 1, 2015
Love it or loathe it, housework is one of those things that just has to be done. However, according to Lisa Bronner, granddaughter of legendary soapmaker Dr. Bronner, green-living advocate and author of the ‘Going Green with a Bronner Mom’ blog; it can be done naturally, chemically-free and without compromising the environment.
“Creating effective, environmentally friendly and economical household cleaning products is easy,” says Bronner. “But more importantly it means inhaling dangerous fumes or polluting our waterways with a cocktail of chemicals needn’t be the by-product of having a clean home,” she added.
North America’s leading natural soap brand, Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps has been made by the Bronner family for five generations, using only organic, plant-based ingredients of the highest quality. Although primarily formulated for the body and face, the magic of Dr. Bronner’s lies in its versatility, there are 18 uses for one bottle – it can be used for anything from cleaning your kitchen sink to washing the dog!
Dr. Bronner’s soaps contain no synthetic foaming agents, thickeners, preservatives, dyes or whiteners and use 100 percent post consumer recycled (PCR) cylinder bottles and paper labels. Completely biodegradable, the soaps are made with certified Fair Trade and organic ingredients sourced from India, Ghana, Palestine, Israel, and Sri Lanka.
Clean your home quickly, effectively, safely and economically with these recipes from Lisa:
All-natural Anti-bacterial Household Cleaner
Clean the sink, shower, tiles and any other hard surface with this all-natural, anti-bacterial cleaner. The addition of Tea Tree essential oil ups the anti-bacterial ante, making it perfect for bathrooms and kitchens.
Ingredients
- ¼ Cup Dr. Bronner’s 18-in-1 Pure Tea Tree Castile Soap
- 10-20 drops of Tea Tree essential oil
- Spray bottle
- Water to fill spray bottle
Instructions
- Fill spray bottle with water about 2/3 from the top (adding the water first will avoid an overflow of bubbles
- Add Dr. Bronner’s 18-in-1 Pure Tea Tree Castile Soap
- Add 10-20 drops of Tea Tree essential oil (this adds to the antibacterial power)
- Simply spray over surfaces and wipe clean with a cloth.
Soap Scum Buster
Getting rid of soap scum using pure soap may seem like a crazy concept but this ‘scour and remove’ method works wonders on basins, shower screens, baths and anywhere there’s a build up of scum. The trick to preventing a build-up of future soap scum is to dry all surfaces after cleaning. By doing this you’re removing any dissolved salts that would later cling to surfaces once the water evaporates. If you’re using this method in a shower stall keep a squeegee near by to dry off the glass after each shower.
Ingredients
- 1 Cup of Baking Soda
- All-natural Anti-bacterial Household Cleaner (see recipe above)
- Old wash cloth
- Hot water to rinse
Instructions
- Spray the surface with the all-natural Anti-bacterial Household Cleaner
- Sprinkle the baking soda liberally over where you’ve just sprayed
- Take the old wash cloth and scour the soap scum, this will take some elbow grease!
- Rinse with hot water and wipe dry with a soft cloth or old towel.
Notes to editor
Dr. Emanuel Bronner was a third generational soap maker who spent his life renouncing hate and war on a personal mission to unite mankind. His strong views and lectures landed him in a mental asylum in Chicago, but eight months later in 1948, Bronner escaped and continued with his message in California. During this time, he also began making peppermint liquid soap under the ‘Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps’ brand. He gave away soap during his talks but soon realised people were taking it without listening to him speak. As a result, he started writing his philosophy on the bottle in tiny script, which is still used on Bronner’s packaging today.
Dr. Bronner’s 18-in-1 Pure Liquid Castile Soap
RRP $4.95 for 59mL
RRP $10.95 for 237mL
RRP $24.95 for 944mL
Available in the following fragrances: Peppermint, Lavender, Almond, Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, Unscented Baby-Mild, Rose and Citrus Orange, Green Tea, Cherry Blossom and Sandalwood & Jasmine.
Dr. Bronner’s products are available at David Jones department stores and health, natural product and organic stores nationally. Stockist number: 03 9562 8822 or visit www.drbronner.com.au
For further information on Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps, interviews with Lisa Bronner, product samples or high resolution images please contact Belinda Andrade at PR Chicks: 0425 252 822 or email [email protected]