Household Cleaners

If you have, or someone in your household has celiac disease, gluten intolerance, or a topic reaction to gluten does it make sense to wipe down your hard surfaces with wheat protein? How about your laundry? Should it be washed with gluten containing ingredients? I certainly don’t think so. Then why is it that we do this anyway? Because many household cleaners contain gluten. I certainly wasn’t aware of this until I was diagnosed with celiac disease, so I don’t expect anyone else to be aware either. Yet, it is time we all learned what we’re using to clean our homes and to ensure a safe environment for those with celiac disease, gluten intolerance, or a topical reaction to gluten.

In the kitchen I like to be sure that I am using a gluten free dishwashing soap, dishwasher detergent, and hard surface cleaner. Dishmate is completely gluten free; and, only the Lemon and Aloe Washing Up Liquid by Ecover contains gluten. I also use Ecover’s dishwashing tablets. As of 2009 Seventh Generation states that they test all their products to ensure they are free from gluten. My other favorite all gluten free brand is Biokleen. Their products contain neither gluten or dairy. The only “nut” product they use is coconut. To clean my counters I make a mix of 50/50 water and vinegar with a few drops of lavender essential oil. The lavender essential oil has antibiotic effects without the harshness of conventional antibiotics. I keep this in a spray bottle on the counter and use reusable cloths to wipe everything down. I simply refill as needed, and wash the cloths. It’s very simple, eco-friendly, and inexpensive.

For laundry purposes try Ecos Laundry Detergent by Earth Friendly Products, or a Seventh Generation laundry detergent. I’ve recently begun using Naturoli Soap Nuts which are gluten free. I don’t use fabric softener as my research suggests that it can make your clothes wear out faster. So, I use dryer balls. They’re ecologically friendly, and gluten free. If a little extra scent is desired in the dry cycle moisten a wash cloth and put a few drops of your favorite essential oil onto it and add to the load.

To clean my floors I use a trick I learned from a linoleum salesman when I was a kid. He said that to clean either sealed tile or linoleum you can use a cup of vinegar in a gallon of water. I also add a few drops of lavender essential oil for its antibacterial effect, though sometimes I like to add peppermint essential oil for the smell.

For scouring powder try Bon Ami, which can be found at any major drugstore or grocery store. It’s not harsh like comet, and promises not to scratch whatever it is you are cleaning. I like to use it on my stainless steel pots and pans on occasion. If you want something even more basic, baking soda makes a good scouring paste. You can even put some baking soda into your toilet with a splash of vinegar to get rid of any staining. Let it fizz, sit for about half an hour, and then scrub your toilet bowl to a bright shine.

If there are conventional brands that you enjoy, give the company a call to inquire about their gluten free status. However, I personally recommend switching to more ecologically friendly products as we only have one planet and we should take care of it like it takes care of us.