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Our toilets become dumping (excuse the pun) grounds for more than our own
waste. In our efforts to create a hygienic environment, we're often killing not
only the bacterial nasties, but beneficial organisms and poisoning our
waterways.
I was brought up to believe that for a toilet to be truly clean, not only must
ever single bacterium must be destroyed, it must smell like a field of flowers
and the water needs in the bowl also needs to be blue. It was just a
psychological association I made.
My mother was extraordinarily house-proud and our cleaning closet was full of
all sorts of cleaning potions. My mother's fastidiousness came from a good place
- a desire to maintain a clean and healthy environment for her family.
The toilet received particularly close attention. Whatever breakthrough
product hit the market for keeping toilets looking and smelling cleaner; we
bought it :). I continued this habit for some years; but I've learned,
particularly after owning a blackwater
recycling system, that what I was doing really had no advantage. In fact, I
was creating problems for the environment.
Many toilet cleaning products have chlorine, ammonia and hydrochloric acid as
ingredients, all of which are highly corrosive and can shorten the lifespan of
the valve in the cistern. Additionally, while these agents kill bad bacteria,
they also kill helpful bacteria further along the system that can assist in
breaking down our waste. Chlorine can react with other organic substances in the
environment and generate hazardous compounds such as furans and dioxins.
Another chemical that may be found in toilet cleaning products, used mainly
in chemical toilets for camping and RV's, is formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a
carcinogenic also shown to cause mutations in animals.
I researched some popular toilet products and found these other
environmentally damaging ingredients:
Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether - volatile organic compounds harmful to
aquatic organisms
Sodium dichloroisocyanurate - very toxic to aquatic organisms - may cause
long-term damage in the environment
Chlorinated phenols - respiratory and circulatory toxins
Triclosan - a cumulative toxin, primarily used for anti-bacterial purposes,
but can also damage plant, animal and aquatic life.
Many of the de-scaling ingredients used in toilet cleaners are based on
petrochemicals, i.e. crude oil.
Often these chemicals are not removed water treatment facilities.
The big problem with identifying environmental toxins in your toilet cleaner
is in many countries companies are not required to disclose all of the
components. Some products may also be tested on animals while in development.
In addition to all the chemicals, there's the plastics and packaging for
these products; particularly the plastic cages used in rim blocks. The cages are
used once, then thrown away - multiply that by millions of people who use these
products and it becomes quite a substantial amount of non-biodegradable waste.
Greener toilet cleaners
Good hygiene is important, but as with other aspects of modern life;
attempting to overdo it and maintain a sterile environment in the average home
isn't possible or beneficial for that matter. Regardless of what the marketers
might tell you, our attempts at disinfecting the average home are futile and
only help to breed stronger bugs while killing beneficial bacteria.
There are many earth friendly products available now based on citric (e.g.
orange oil) or acetic acid (vinegar) that act on bacteria within the immediate
area and then quickly lose their potency to prevent damage to other
organisms not being targeted further down the system. These products are by no
means inferior to heavy duty chemicals. I used orange oil a great deal during my
contract cleaning days and it was as effective as anything else I've used.
Earth friendly toilet cleaning products will be more likely to list their
ingredients in order to satisfy eco-savvy customers, so check the label of a
"green" cleaning agent you're considering purchasing and do some
research of the ingredients on the Internet.
If the label is vague, call or write to the company asking for
clarification. Also try to find products that use packaging made from recycled
materials.
Environmentally friendly toilet cleaning
One of the best ways to keep your toilet looking clean is through a bit of
elbow grease - regular use of a toilet brush helps to prevent build-up of gunk
and breeding zones for bad bacteria. It only takes a few seconds to do each day.
Once a week, sprinkle baking soda in the bowl and use the toilet brush to
scrub. The soda acts as an abrasive without scratching the porcelain.
For treating stains, sprinkle baking soda into the bowl and then spray with
vinegar. Allow to sit for a while and then apply the toilet brush - this method
also helps remove odors.
For keeping the toilet smelling fresh on a ongoing basis, I've seen it
suggested to use 10 drops of tea tree oil in a spray bottle filled with water;
then spray around the bowl and let sit.
If you're looking for an earth friendly disinfectant, I have a
couple of recipes here.
The wonderful thing about making your toilet cleaning a little more
environmentally friendly is that it can save you money too!