We live in a world obsessed with cleanliness. Our cleaning products must be industrial strength. Everything seems to be better when it’s labeled as anti-bacterial. And we can’t say something clean until it smells like artificial lemon, orange, or pine.
In our quest for a hygienic home, we release gallons of toxic chemicals down our drains and release harmful vapors into the air we breathe. There has to be a safer and more environmentally friendly way to disinfect our domains.
They may look innocent, but these bottles contain a sinister toxic substance.
There is. By using common sense and a few items from your kitchen, you can go green and clean.
1. Embrace the power of vinegar, baking soda, or a mixture of the two.
White vinegar and everyday baking soda have excellent cleaning abilities. In some cases you will use them alone and, in other times, you may use them together. Here’s how.
white vinegar. Not only is it delicious on French Fries, this condiment is also a green cleaning wonderworker. With its natural anti-fungal and disinfectant properties, it is also great for removing bad odors.
• Window: By using 1/4 cup of vinegar for every two cups of water, you will be able to remove dirt from your windows and restore their brilliant shine. Kiss the ammonia goodbye.
• Wooden surfaces: 4 cups of vinegar in a gallon of warm water will keep wood floors hard and tidy. For wood furniture, try 1 cup vinegar with 1 teaspoon olive oil. Adios Pledge.
• Fragrances: Put 1/2 cup of water and 1/2 cup of vinegar in a spray bottle. Add 12 drops of essential oil and–voila–you have a fragrant homemade room spray. Farewell Febreze.
• Mushrooms and Mushrooms: Clean with pure white vinegar. You can let it sit on the mold or mold spots for a few minutes before wiping it off.
• Soap scum and lime deposits: Vinegar is slightly acidic, making it the perfect adversary for soap scum and lime deposits. Pure vinegar will work best for these stubborn stains. Take a hike, Vim.
Baking soda. This baker’s must-have can do double as an all-purpose cleaner. As a gentle abrasive that can also deodorize, it is a non-toxic alternative to the harsh liquid cleaners found in stores.
• Ovens: When tackling stubborn spills in your oven, simply sprinkle some baking soda on the spot, spray it with water, and let it soak overnight. In the morning, use a scouring pad to remove it.
• Porcelain: Make a paste using baking soda and water to tackle baths, sinks and showers. Baking soda’s ability to scrub porcelain without streaking it will make you kiss Mr. Clean abon voyage.
• Refrigerator: Who wants toxic chemicals in contact with their food? Hope no one. Your water and baking soda paste is a very safe ingredient for cleaning your fridge.
Both of them. Vinegar and Baking Soda make a very effective team. There are several great ways to use them together and reap the benefits each has to offer.
• Clogged drains: Pouring 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain and, then, 1/2 cup of vinegar will help unclog drains. This combination causes a foaming action that loosens stubborn clogs. Be sure to flush with water after doing its job.
• Toilet Bowl: Apply a small amount of baking soda to the toilet bowl. Add a little vinegar, scrub with your toilet brush, and your toilet will be officially clean. Bid adieu to bathroom cleaner like Comet.
• Floortile: Add 2 parts vinegar and 1 part baking soda to 4 parts water and you have a great tile cleaner.
2. Make friends with your clothing line.
Why pay for fabric softener that smells like the outdoors, when you can catch the real scent naturally? And it’s free. Whether you choose a permanent line or a retractable model, hanging your clothes to dry is both economical and environmentally friendly.
3. Get some fresh air.
Air fresheners are expensive and, often, too powerful. The best way to combat odors is to keep your home clean and open your windows. Nothing smells “fresher” than fresh air. If you must add fragrance to your home, try baking cookies, fresh bread, or boiling cinnamon sticks.
These are some cheap and simple ways to make your home a greener, cleaner, and safer place for everyone who lives there. Take some spices and clean it.
What common kitchen items have you incorporated into your cleaning routine?
Image courtesy Backdoor Survival
