Eco-friendly cleaning has become increasingly important in recent years. We’re learning more about the prevalence of chemicals such as phthalates and perchloroethylene (PERC), which is known as a carcinogen. The good news is that all-natural and non-toxic cleaning products work just as well as the more toxic varieties, and sometimes better.
All-purpose cleaner
The most useful cleaning supply you can have is an all-purpose disinfectant. I don’t know about you, but I like to wipe down and disinfect surfaces in my house daily. A quick and easy all-purpose cleaner can be made my mixing equal parts white vinegar and water with one to three drops of a natural dish washing liquid into a spray bottle. This can be used to clean everything from your kitchen sink to your fridge to your bathroom mirror.
Cleaning glass
A nice, natural way to clean glass is to use your all-purpose cleaner. You can clean your mirrors and your windows with this. To prevent streaking, use newspapers instead of paper towels or any other cloth.
Cleaning appliances
Microwaves get dirty quickly and collect a lot of odors. An easy way to take care of both problems at once is to use fresh lemon. All you need to do is squeeze the juice from about half a lemon, and add three-fourths of a cup of water in a microwave-safe dish. Microwave it until it boils, then wait for ten minutes so it can disinfect. All you need to do now is take out the bowl (be careful!) and wipe down the microwave with a clean cloth. It should easily wipe clean and all odors should be replaced with a light lemon scent. You can also clean your stove by rubbing the other half of the lemon on it, and then sprinkling baking soda on top. You’ll need to lightly scrub the surface with a sponge, and then wipe it off with a clean cloth in the end. You can read more about cleaning with lemon at the Uber Clean House website.
Carpet stains
Another common cleaning problem, and one that seems to especially warrant strong chemical cleaners is the issue of carpet stains. Most people struggle with carpet stains, especially if they have children or pets. This simple method should take care of most stains and all without the nasty carcinogen that is found in most carpet cleaners, PERC. It will also eliminate odors. All you need for this cleaning method is vinegar, baking soda, water, a spray bottle, and a few clean cloths. Step one is to blot out as much of the staining liquid as possible. Then you’ll need to mix together equal parts vinegar and water into a spray bottle. Sprinkle baking soda liberally over the stained area, and then spray a significant amount of the vinegar-water solution onto it. Let soak for five minutes, then blot up. Repeat steps if necessary.
Air freshener
While it isn’t exactly cleaning, a noticeable factor of a clean home is that it smells nice. Air fresheners are as bad as chemical-filled cleaning supplies. Cleaning with lemon will help your house smell better, but there are a few more ways to accomplish this. My favorite all-natural air freshener is putting fresh orange slices and cinnamon sticks into a pot of water on my stovetop. You need to keep it barely simmering and it will make your entire house smell nice.
Hopefully these tips can help you to keep your home clean and smelling nice. The best part is that these supplies are cheaper and healthier to use than their chemical-filled counterparts. You, your children, and your pets will breathe easier with the use of natural air fresheners.