Regina Ryerson

Clean solutions for healthy homes

You are here: Home / Blog

Blog

Clean Solutions for Healthy Homes

SHARE
Winter squash, pears, pomegranite and a fig, in ceramic bowl. On tablecloth-covered table with a small bowl of sea salt.
Organic produce from Farm Fresh to You, on a client’s dining room table.

Blog on hiatus— My first book’s coming!

2022-01-26: Update: I’m itching to blog again as I discover more ways to save cleaning time, money and hassle— with a lot less toxics and waste. But for now, taking care of clients comes first. And writing my first book! When new content is ready, be the first to know by signing up for my email list. Just look for the on my site— at this writing it’s in my sidebars.

Practical tips for clean, healthy homes

A healthy home is clean and safe. Where you can breathe easier. Discovering practical ways to get there— and stay there— is the focus of this blog.

This is my first blog, by the way. Learning as I go! With room for improvement, always. Feedback helps— so whether you’re an industry professional; homeowner who hires help; or DIY’er— pipe up!

Cleaning for your health, and the health of your loved ones

Among the first steps toward a healthy home is health-based cleaning. With a background in the industry, I’ve written some practical starter tips.

If you suffer from environmental allergies, asthma or other respiratory conditions, you know about avoiding your triggers. Your health care practitioner has likely recommended a personalized “Action Plan”. In my health-based cleaning post you may find additional tips.

Cleaning up your indoor air while you’re at it

Indoor pollution can affect everyone’s health. There are many sources, with cleaning among the easiest to deal with. Learn more, and find practical tips.

… The air within homes… can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities. Other research indicates that people spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors.

It is prudent to try to improve the indoor air quality in your home even if symptoms are not noticeable.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)

Your turn

What are your challenges— or victories— in keeping a clean, healthy home?

Do you hire help for managing and cleaning your home? Do they “get it” about your healthy home needs, and protecting their own health and safety on the job?

Comment tool coming!

Small and Big Steps — Cleaning Up Your Indoor Air

SHARE
A dozen or so DIY air purifiers at Teacher Liesl McConchie's school.
Update 2022-12-13: A small but mighty step for cleaning up your indoor air. A DIY air purifier, called the Corsi-Rosenthal Box, designed to reduce exposure to airborne viruses. You can build one yourself for around $65.00 with a 20″ x 20″ box fan, along with 4 20″ x 20″ MERV 13 2″ filters and duct tape. Thanks to Math Expert and Teacher Liesl McConchie for bringing these boxes to her school, and permission to use this photo.

Allergens. Irritants. Airborne viruses. Hormone-disrupting chemicals. Any one these indoor air pollutants in your home is enough, thank you. Now add wildfire smoke, if you live in the growing number of regions impacted.

If even thinking about these sources of indoor air pollution puts you on overwhelm, you’re not alone. Never mind contemplating cleaning it all up.

The good news— It’s not all or nothing. Every step, however small or simple, can help.

The smaller, simpler steps

In my healthy home services I specialize in clients with allergies, asthma and chemical sensitivities. Reducing airborne triggers means taking one simple step at a time. Following are practical measures that add up.

  • Have everyone leave their shoes at the door. Keep slippers handy for your household and guests. “Eighty percent or more of the dirt that comes into a space is brought in on our shoes,” according to this CleanLink article.
  • Use walk-off mats at entrances, inside and out. Long enough for a few adult footsteps. According the same CleanLink article. “you can improve IAQ by as much as 50 percent just by installing good matting systems”. I’m exploring healthy matting materials. Meanwhile, here’s a guide from Waxie Sanitary Supply Co. for commercial and institutional buildings.
  • Open windows when safe to do so. Safe, meaning you’re not living near a major freeway, nor refinery. Nor in the path of wildfire smoke or an extreme heat wave.
  • Prevent mold. Start by keeping surfaces clean and dry.
  • Change your HVAC filters at least quarterly.
  • Bring in air purifiers as needed, to reduce your exposures as you work on your next steps. You can make your own, like the Corsi-Rosenthal Box in my leading photo for this post. Mike and I use a commercial one from Air Doctor, with a HEPA filter. Not that we’ve compared all the brands yet. So here are some brand reviews from Nontoxic U.
  • Gradually let go of any clutter. Doing so creates conditions for efficient, thorough cleaning.

The bigger steps

  • Get your kitchen exhaust fan, and your bathroom fan, working, if they’re not already. And use them. Be sure they’re vented to outside your home.
  • Gradually replace toxic furnishings throughout your home with healthier pieces. At least in your sleeping space, where you spend the most time. For example, anything with polyurethane foam treated with flame retardants. You can find healthier replacements at many retailers now, Eco-Terric and Coyuchi among them.
  • Have your HVAC system checked. Check out expert advice from Nate Adams, Home Performance expert at The House Whisperer.

Clean Like a Professional— with Organic Ingredients

SHARE
Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Soap, Spectrum Organic White Vinegar with Arm and Hammer baking soda.
Contrary to myth, you rarely need specialized cleaners with mystery ingredients. Soap made with organic ingredients can have you cleaning like a pro. Add baking soda for tougher spots, and rinse fast with organic vinegar.

 

Last updated 2022-12-30

Contrary to myth, you rarely need specialized cleaning products. Simple products, some with organic ingredients, can work effectively and efficiently. And surprisingly, even for many tough spots.

We’re talking hard, washable surfaces you clean frequently. Like your counter top, stove top, small appliances, sinks, tubs and showers.

No fussing with recipes! Just add water, and you’re good to go.

2022-12-20 Update: If you have hard water, or dealing with serious grease, skip the simple soap and vineger in this post. And try Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds instead. Sal Suds contains no organic ingredients but is still non-toxic— and works! For other challenges check out my piece, Using the Least-Toxic, Simplest Cleaners That Work.

Assuming you have soft water, and no serious grease, as with Mike and myself, read on!

Gallon bottle of Dr. Bronner's in granite shower stall.
Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Soap is made with oils certified under the USDA National Organic Program. Plus is Fair Trade, and comes in a 100% post-consumer waste bottle. Here’s the gallon size in a clent’s new granite shower stall. Not a pretty bottle but it this stuff works!

Pure castile soap

This plant-based, petrochemical-free soap can clean almost everything. Check out basic facts about castile soap.

Buy in bulk when you can find it, to reduce packaging waste. You may need to bring your own bottle. If you can’t find bulk, buy the largest size you can. In the shot above is the gallon size.

At least three brands contain organic ingredients. Here are a few I’ve checked out.


Distilled white vinegar is great for cleaning non-greasy surfaces. Spectrum’s organic brand is widely available in natural grocery stores. Here’s the 32-oz size.

Organic distilled white vinegar

Green Myth alert— Vinegar doesn’t work on grease! Not for me, at least. Its’ often better as a rinsing agent. For grease, try a plant-based dish liquid instead, like Seventh Generation.

Some brands of vinegar are USDA Organic, Including Spectrum Organic Distilled White Vinegar. The only ingredient in Spectrum is organic distilled vinegar.

Did you know— some vinegar brands may be made with petroleum-based ingredients. Not to worry— that would not make the vinegar toxic. Personally speaking, though I prefer organic when it’s available. I just assume that organic farming is more sustainable than petroleum production into the future.

Buy vinegar in bulk when available— again, to reduce packaging waste. You may need to bring your own bottle. If you can’t find bulk, buy the largest size you can.

Baking soda box with two scrub sponges on clean, shiny granite counter top in kitchen.
When you hit tough spots, reach for baking soda and a damp scrub pad— adding soap! Any baking soda brand should work. Buy in bulk when available.

You’ll need baking soda too— for tough spots

OK, baking soda is not organic. It’s made from trona, a naturally occurring inorganic mineral.

Use baking soda for light- to medium-duty scrubbing. It won’t scratch, the way some dry scouring cleaners do.

Green Myth alert— Baking soda’s not an “all-purpose” cleaner. Soaps and detergents work better for that purpose, especially when dealing with oils or grease.

When shopping, get baking soda in bulk when you can find it. If you can’t find it in bulk, buy the largest size you can. Either way, you’re minimizing packaging waste.

Store your baking soda in a wide-mouthed plastic jar with a tight lid. This keeps baking soda dry and flowing. Kept in cardboard in a damp spot, it can too easily cake.

What’s worked for you?

Have you tried cleaning with soap, vinegar or other simple products made with simple ingredients? And baking soda? How are they working for you, in the real world?

First Book in the Works! Blog mostly on the Back Burner

SHARE

Cover of guide titled "Clean It! Safer House-Cleaning Methods that Really Work"! From Bay Area Pollution Prevention Group.
“Clean It”! is a guide I helped develop with the City of San Francisco, that was adopted by several neighboring cities. You can download the Clean It! guide here. My coming book will update and expand on many tips from this guide.

Greetings everyone,

I’m itching to blog more as I discover more ways to clean safely while saving time, money and hassle! But for now, the following projects take priority.

  • Day job— developing new features on demand for my Healthy Home Services, faster than I can write about them! Never quit your day job until… you know the drill.
  • Night job— finishing my first book, combining professional cleaning approaches with the least-toxic, least-wasteful products and tools that work. Now closer to final content editing! When it’s closer, I’ll launch my email newsletter.

Join my email list for any updates! Look for the dog and cat signup button in my sidebar.

Meanwhile, join the conversation on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook as I post and respond in those little, in-between moments. See my social icons in the sidebar. Plus, I’m just getting on Mastadon @reginaryerson.

More about this blog

Breathe Easier— and Clean Easier— with Health-Based Cleaning

SHARE
Small, short-haird cat sits in an open screened window, above a sofa. A narcissus bloom stretches over the sofa’s edge.
Sophie, my buddy with feline asthma. Her symptoms improved after a big house cleaning detox, plus frequent damp-dusting and HEPA vacuuminng. And switching her cleaning over to using least-toxic products.that work.

Updated 2021-09-28

There’s more to keeping a clean, healthy home than “eco-cleaners”, microfiber and HEPA vacuums. Based on my years in the cleaning industry, I’m here to fill in some gaps. And share what’s worked on the job.

Sick of cleaning?

I’m talking literally.

Did you know— over 80,000 modern chemicals are in use today, but most have never been fully tested. Many of these chemicals are in everyday consumer products, like cleaners. Some may pollute our indoor air. Learn more…

Get some relief

Health-based cleaning protects your health, and the health of your loved ones, with the least impact on the environment.

Based on my hands-on experience in professional settings, and extensive research, here are some key elements to start with. More details in coming posts!

  • Keep germs under control by keeping everything clean and dry. Then disinfect as needed, selectively and safely.
  • Damp dust, as recommended by allergy and asthma experts. A textured cotton or linen cloth works great in most cases.
  • Vacuum rather than sweep. You’ll pick up more with your vac, and scatter less dust. Be sure your machine is equipped with a true HEPA filter.
  • Work efficiently.
  • Handle and store any toxic products safely. Most toxic cleaners are obsolete in my experience. Safety tips coming!
  • De-clutter to streamline your cleaning. Update 2021-09-28: Check out Debra Baida at Liberated Spaces who works virtually or onsite. Her pioneering service has been named Best organizer in San Francisco Magazine’s annual Best of SF issue and is one of the first Certified Green Businesses in San Francisco. Check out her blog that goes way behind the scenes.
  • Design and decorate for low-maintenance cleaning. Think streamlined, with smooth, easy-to-clean materials. And fewer of them. Keep small items you don’t use constantly in drawers, or in cabinets or glass-covered shelves, to keep dust off.

Could Indoor Air Pollution be Making You Sick?

SHARE
Alt: Short-haired cat nuzzles cardboard boxes full of cleaning products. Brands names and labels are hidden.
Can you spot the cat in this shot? Sophie, with feline asthma, says goodbye to harsh chemicals that may be aggravating her symptoms. She sneaks in— I whisk her to safety! To reduce indoor air pollution we switch to safer products. Within a few months, anecdotally, her symptoms improve. Find out more about the project.

Last edited 2023-01-25

Any product on a store shelf is highly regulated. To use it safely, follow safety instructions, and use your common sense.

Right?

Not necessarily. Ingredients in many commonly-used products can cause or worsen asthma. Others are linked to hormone disruption, cancer and other major health conditions.

How exposures can impact your health

Potential immediate effects

Some people can become sensitized to biological or chemical pollutants after repeated or high level exposures. Symptoms can include “irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue”.

USEPA

Potential long-term effects

Here’s what moved me to wear a respirator on the job since 1989, for dusting and vacuuming in my health-based cleaning service. Even when using a HEPA vacuum. And even at home.

Other health effects “… May show up either years after exposure has occurred or only after long or repeated periods of exposure. These effects, which include some respiratory diseases, heart disease and cancer, can be severely debilitating or fatal”.

USEPA

What I discovered on the job— in just one home

Many of my clients have had respiratory symptoms, migraines, and chronic fatigue. My job— reducing sources of indoor air pollution that may aggravate symptoms.

Taking a deep dive in one home, I screened roughly 65 different cleaning-related products. Not being a health expert, I ran each product through ewg.org, mostly for respiratory issues. And found plenty. Read about the project here.

Air pollutants concentrate indoors

… The air within homes… can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities. Other research indicates that people spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors.

It is prudent to try to improve the indoor air quality in your home even if symptoms are not noticeable.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)

More time indoors with more pollutants = more exposure

Indoor air pollution is on more people’s radar these days. First with environmental allergies and asthma on the rise. Plus, wildfire smoke or heat waves hit are sending more of us indoors.

Following is a quick round-up of pollutants and irritants to be aware of, and health considerations. And tips for reducing your exposure.

Types of indoor air pollutants

Following is a quick round-up of pollutants I’m following for my clients. For a complete list, Read USEPA’s The Inside Story: A guide to Indoor Air Quality

Environmental allergens

Perennial (or year-round) allergies are often caused by common indoor triggers such as dust mites, mold, pets and cockroaches and are the body’s physical reactions to inhaled airborne allergy triggering proteins, known as “allergens.” These perennial, or year-round, allergy sufferers deal with stuffy or runny noses, itchy eyes, sneezing, and wheezing all year long. Others suffer from seasonal allergies from trees, grasses, or weeds.

Clifford W. Bassett, M.D., FACAAI, FAAAAI

Infectious particles

Most homes in the US are are poorly ventilated. So here is what you need to do. And why follows next.

Prof. Shelly Miller Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder. 
Respiratory viruses

One of the best introductory videos out there is a 2020 animation titled, “Let’s talk about transmission of respiratory infectious diseases”. It clarifies my understanding about general respiratory infections, Sars-CoV-2 among them. Written by Prof. Shelly Miller, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder. 

Flu viruses

The following article I quote seems more about potential implications. What’s not clear, to me, is the risk for infection. But in any case, it makes a great case for dusting and vacuuming regularly.

Influenza viruses can spread through the air on dust, fibers and other microscopic particles…

Medical Express, August 18, 2020

Fine, inhalable particles (2021-06-11 Edit)

These invisible particles can linger longer in the air, and penetrate deeper into the lungs.

… Particles that are 10 micrometers in diameter or smaller because these particles are inhalable. Once inhaled, particles can affect the heart and lungs and in some cases cause serious health effects.

… Indoor PM can be generated through cooking, combustion activities (including burning of candles, use of fireplaces, use of unvented space heaters or kerosene heaters, cigarette smoking) and some hobbies. Indoor PM can also be of biological origin.

USEPA: Indoor Particulate Matter

Wildfire smoke

Some wildfire smoke particles are among the finest inhalable particles. Wildfires are becoming yearly events now. The last time wildfire smoke hit our area, year Mike and I put together a simple, cheap DIY Filter Fan for less than fifty dollars. Ours is much like this one at Texas Air Filters. Thanks to Nate Adams, aka Nate the House Whisperer, for getting us started!

Fine particles (also known as PM2.5): particles generally 2.5 µm in diameter or smaller represent a main pollutant emitted from wildfire smoke, comprising approximately 90% of total particle mass (Vicente et al. 2013; Groβ et al. 2013). Fine particles from wildfire smoke are of greatest health concern. This group of particles also includes ultrafine particles, which are generally classified as having diameters less than 0.1 µm.

U.S.E.P.A.: Why Wildfire is a Health Concern

Chemicals emitted from household products (2021-07-02 Edit)

This one’s too close to home for me, as I’ve owned and operated a cleaning service. Dodging sprays and fumes containing mysterious and irritating chemicals is a losing game. To learn more, check out Environmental Working Group’s eye-opening piece, Cleaning Supplies and Your Health.

Here’s my cleaning method that keeps me and my clients safe. Without sacrificing effectiveness!

But even if your cleaning is least-toxic like mine is, you’re likely exposed to airborne dust stirred up as you move about your home. And when your home is cleaned.

Indoor dust consistently contains four classes of harmful chemicals in high amounts… 45 potentially toxic chemicals that are used in many consumer and household products as vinyl flooring, personal care and cleaning products, building materials and home furnishings.

Milken Institute School of Public Health, 2016

Chemicals emitted from building materials

According to the Parsons School of Design, many building materials can emit or shed chemicals through volatilization, chemical degradation, abrasion, leaching, oxidation and climate change. To find healthy design materials, check out Parsons’ Material Collections.

“Forever Chemicals”

Some consumer product chemicals are persistent, meaning they don’t break down in our home or bodies. One example is stain-resistant chemicals.

So-called “Forever Chemicals” that are used on carpets for stain resistance and as surface coatings on nonstick pans are associated with testicular cancer, kidney cancer, and reduced vaccine effectiveness in kids.

Some 98% of Americans have these chemicals in their body. In a study of a weight-loss program, women with higher levels of these chemicals gained back more weight and gained back weight faster.

Joseph Allen, associate professor and director of the healthy-buildings program at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Got symptoms? Share yours in Hayward Score’s survey (2021/07/02 Edit)

The biggest indoor air survey to date is under way. You and yours can participate at Hayward Score. Here you can share your home’s environmental conditions, along with your symptoms, And find some of the best educational visuals for consumers.

Your turn

What’s your indoor air situation been like? Are you and yours experiencing symptoms? What have you tried? Your experiences and thoughts can help others.