Eco-friendly Ways to Clean Your House
A walk down the aisle of your local supermarket, and you will see shelves heaped high with powerful, fragrant and user-friendly home cleaning products. Pick up any bottle of such cleaning agent from the racks and scrutinize the label carefully. You might be stunned to notice a list of warning about product's toxicity and inflammable nature. While some products are harmful if they come in direct contact with your skin, there are a few spraying agents that are packed in airtight containers full of CFC gases. Use of such chemicals increases the chances of poisoning and toxicity in the interiors of your home. These chemicals are one of the main causes for domestic air pollution, health problems in infants and adults and the green house effect. So, here are some eco-friendly ideas to clean your home.
Popular Natural Cleaning Agents
The market is flooded with heaps of home cleaning agents. But it can never beat the results you get by using the natural substances as listed below. I am not suggesting that you use these natural agents in combination. Instead, they can be used individually. The plus point is most of them must be already stocked in your house.
Citric Acid
There is nothing to surpass the fresh and pleasant fragrance of citric acid. Often, the smell of citric acid is associated with cleanliness and purification. It is commonly used in combination with chemical agents as well. Some common fragrances are that of lemon and orange. Lemons are known for their antiseptic properties and can be used to clean floors, washable upholstery and utensils. They are effective in sparkling aluminum, brass and copper. However, readers should avoid using lemon directly over marble and granite surfaces.
Vinegar
A simple solution of water and vinegar drops is useful in removing dust and grime. It can also be used for cleaning wax, stains and for killing bacteria. You may opt for concentrated vinegar to clean some tough stains at home. A light solution of vinegar and water may be used for cleaning and sparkling your mirrors and windows. My warning is that vinegar smell may irritate some of you. However, vinegar is prone to evaporate quickly and so does its odor. So relax!
Recipe
Mix 5 table spoons of vinegar in half a liter of water. Mix well and pour it into a spraying bottle. Use the spray within a span of 2 days lest the vinegar evaporates. Store in a cool place.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is not only an essential bakery ingredient, but it can also act as effective cleaning and deodorizing agent. Make tiny sacks out of old handkerchiefs. Now fill these sacks with baking soda powder. Tie these bags carefully and place them in your wardrobes, cabinets and refrigerators. Baking soda has some unique odor absorbing properties which help to remove any unpleasant smell from your home. You can also use baking soda with vinegar to clean your floors, toilets and kitchen counters. Baking soda can also be used as a water softener.
Orris Roots
Orris roots make excellent fabric cleaning agents and can be used to clean all your home linen. It also gives a fresh clean fragrance to these fabrics.
Recipe
Take half cup of orris root, half cup natural liquid soap and 20 drops of clove oil. Mix the ingredients with 250 ml of water. Store in a plastic jar. Mix this solution in small quantities in warm water. Dip all your bed linen in this solution for a minimum of 6 hours. I can guarantee that you will make use of this solution again and again.
Tea Tree or Lavender Oil Solution
Tea tree oil or lavender oil when mixed with water can be used as antiseptic floor cleaning solution.
Soapberries
If you are lucky enough to get hold of soapberries or sapindus from a neighborhood supermarket, then you can use them to make some really effective and organic cleaning solution. All you need to do is take 10 to 12 berries and boil them in plain water. Drain the remnants and pour the solution in a clean vessel. Use this solution as a gentle cleaner for anything ranging from glassware to gold jewelry. You may be surprised to know that this solution lathers just like a chemical soap. This solution works best when it is warm.
Toothpaste
If you thought that toothpaste could only clean your teeth, then think again. They can also be used to sparkle your silverware. Just take a small helping of toothpaste, approximately the same quantity as required for one tooth brushing session, on your hand. Moisten the silverware and gently rub the toothpaste all over its surface. You will find your silverware sparkling in no time.
Popular Eco-friendly Cleaning Brands
- Green Clean
- Oxy-Green
- Nature's Way
- Simple Green
- Neutraclean
- Bi-O-Kleen
- Mrs. Meyer's cleaning products
- Wipeout
- Clorox Green Works
- Ecos
- Seventh Generation cleaning products
- Blue Planet Hard Surface Cleaner
Grass Brooms
Yes, vacuuming is always easier but you can always use a traditional grass broom to clean your gardens, windows, balconies and porches. This might sound a little primitive to you, but the upside is that it is thoroughly Eco-friendly.
Old Rags
Stop using all the rubber and synthetic sponge floor dusters. Instead make use of old garments as rags for floor cleaning and furniture dusting.
Recycled Paper
Avoid using fresh paper for any cleaning purposes as paper is manufactured only by deforestation. Instead, use recycled old paper for any kind of cleaning purposes.
Indoor Plants
Keep some indoor plants at home as they are known to absorb harmful gases from the air and generate fresh oxygen. You can place them in common seating areas like your living rooms. Avoid placing them in your bedrooms as plants emit carbon dioxide during nighttime which can cause severe health problems while you are asleep.
These are some of the most popular and safe ways of cleaning your homes and these methods have been tried and tested for generations. Moreover, readers are always free to suggest new Eco-friendly ideas to us.
