LOOK UNDER THE SINK

Now that we are spending more time in the house, it would be a great idea to have a look under your sink. Firstly you could make sure that all of the pipes are dry and that there are no wet patches that could cause the house to start smelling of damp. Next have a look at products that are potentially harmful. Almost everyone in the western world has a cupboard full of poisons under their kitchen sink. Sprays, oven cleaner, waxes and polishes. The place is full of chemicals that display the words poison, danger, warning, or caution. Small amounts of the poisons drift from, and leak out of bottles and spray bottles, which then waft around the kitchen. Household poisonings are one of the highest threats to the health of children. Next time you are at the shop look for safer versions of the products. Try the health shop. Replace all hazardous products with safer versions in the future. The kitchen will then have no chemicals wafting into your household, which is a safer environment for the kids.

GO A BIT FURTHER
As you are in the kitchen try to reduce your use of non renewable resources; avoid products with potentially harmful ingredients such as sponges with antibacterial ingredients; reuse old shirts as rags. Use cloth rags instead of paper towels to save trees. And save money! Look at your purchase of mops, paper towels, sponges, buckets and vacuums with an eye towards their durability, health and environmental impact. If you must use paper towels buy recycled, unbleached paper. Try to buy reusable mops and rags instead of paper ones.

ANTIBACTERIAL SPRAY
New research is proving that the old folk recipes using herbs and essential oils to kill germs, such as those used by 14th century doctors during the Black Plague were based on good science. Many essential oils, such as the oils of lavender and thyme, are more antiseptic than phenol, the industry standard. Research is also showing that antibacterial plant oils may not cause drug resistance as could be the case with common chemical disinfectants. The essential oil-based spray, below, leaves a lovely, clean scent. It is a good choice to use for misting your cutting board after use.


Lavender Antibacterial Spray
1 cup water
20 drops pure essential oil of lavender
Pour the water into a spray bottle. Add the lavender essential oil and shake to blend. Spray on the surface and let set for at least 15 minutes, or don’t rinse at all.

Makes: 1 cup spray

Shelf Life: Indefinite

Helpful Hint:
Look for small, coloured (and recycled!) spray bottles at the local hardware store or charity shop.

Caution
Make sure you never get essential oils near your eyes, or to put them directly on your skin.
Make certain to use only clean spray bottles, and ones that have never contained toxic poisons.

Note that homemade herbal antibacterial sprays are not registered disinfectants.

Household.