(Image courtesy of Google Image Search)
The unique memories of my Grandmother, and her infinite housekeeping tips, will stay with me forever. Though she spent her days as a traditional "housewife"for most of her 90 years, Grams had a job. Yes, she cared for three children and her aging mother, cooked, washed, and ironed. But Grandma's real employer went by the name of Mr. Clean (and if it were possible, I think she would have married the man)!
My Grandmother's house is kept "just-so," as she calls it; which also means anyone visiting her home must keep things "just-so," as well. There were many times when I was younger that a weekend visit came with a requirement: to polish the beautiful, (now) antique furniture throughout the house. If you saw my Grandma's furniture today, you would no doubt be amazed at the condition of the wood. Through her meticulous upkeep and diligent cleaning standards, the furniture looks just as good as the day she bought it, over 60 years ago!
Some of you may wonder what Grandma's secret is. Well it's certainly no family secret, she would tell you. All it takes is a good furniture polish and some elbow grease! Alright, you say, let's look into this magic polish (elbow grease not included), and see what it's all about.
If you take a trip to your local grocery store, they normally have a sizable collection of cleaning products, furniture polish being one of them. The basic polish sold in the market usually comes in a handy-dandy aerosol can. If you turn the can around and look over the product's ingredients, you will most likely see these primary active agents: Polydimethylsiloxanes (Silicon oil), Naphtha, and hydrotreated heavy petroleum. Quite a mouthful for some simple furniture polish, isn't it? Once you work through how in the blazes to pronounce the ingredients, do you think you'll be able to figure out what these chemicals can do? The first ingredient, let's just take the easy way out and call it Silicon oil, is the same substance used regularly in elective plastic surgery procedures, like cosmetic injections and breast implants. While the market for these services is frighteningly large, the possible side effects are just as scary. Who hasn't watched the latest Hollywood gossip shows that come on before the nightly news? There's story after story of celebrities becoming extremely ill after such procedures. There are up to 14 medical disorders caused by the use of Silicon oil. That subject is far too lengthy to cover in this particular blog, but the precautions when using this substance are clear.
The next ingredient, Naphtha, can be carcinogenic. It is a hydrocarbon product, and the result of a complex chemical soup. There is a vast mixture of distinct chemicals included in each product containing Naphtha, making identification of and caution regarding carcinogens difficult in today's world, where we are exposed to these dangerous substances on a daily basis.
Petroleum is a substance we should know well; a large part of our economy is based on it. The health hazards from using Petroleum are well know, too. How many cancer deaths do we need to witness, before we finally get the picture that we need to utilize something else? In addition to human casualties, further use of this product only continues our dependency on oil resources that are nonrenewable. Our planet can only take so much.
I bet Grandma wouldn't bet the farm on the value of her trusted old furniture polish now. But I've found an easier, healthier, more cost-effective way to keep your wood furniture looking brand new. Homemade recipes have been passed around for years, but this is the one that works best in my home: 1/4 cup white vinegar, with a few drops of oil. It's seems deceptively simple, but the vinegar helps pull the dirt and grime from the wood, while the small amount of oil lubricates it, as well. You can substitute organic apple cider (be careful of possible staining) or lemon juice, in place of the white vinegar. Olive oil works well, for its long shelf-life; or you can use liquid wax jojoba (it never goes bad).
I hope this post gives you a few green alternatives for the traditional furniture polish. I know it keeps my wood table and chairs, book cases and dresser, smooth and shiny as ever.
Now if I can just change Grandma's mind...
Check my post next Tuesday for another product comparison. Go Green!
(This priceless polish recipe written by Annie B. Bond, posted 7/7/99, on care2.com )
Comments
Leave a comment