Keeping a clean home is essential for health and hygiene, but many of the chemicals used to do so are not very environmentally friendly. Fortunately, there are plenty of eco-friendly alternatives out there that will keep your home clean without harming the planet. Here are 6 easy ways you can go green in your house cleaning routine:
Use eco-friendly dishcloths
Dishcloths are often used for many things around the home, such as cleaning dishes and wiping down countertops. Try using something like a dishcloth to wipe down your countertops rather than paper towels; while paper towels can become clogged with dirt and dust that is difficult to remove, dishcloths will pick up all of the dirt and leave your surface sparkling clean. Additionally, use rags rather than paper towels when drying your hands. This will help stop litter from ending up in landfills. A Swedish dishcloth is a remarkable product made of a cellulose-cotton blend, which makes it 100% biodegradable. It is highly absorbent and gentle on most surfaces, making your dishes and countertops squeaky clean, and shiny. It is surprisingly durable, lasting around 2-3 months with average wear and tear, even reaching up to 6-12 months!
Replace chemical cleaners
Chemicals such as ammonia and bleach should be replaced with natural products like vinegar and baking soda. These items can often replace other types of cleaners you may be used in your home and can prevent chemicals from getting into the soil and water supply. Vinegar is a great cleaning solution that sanitizes and deodorizes surfaces like floors, shower stalls, toilet bowls, and countertops. Baking soda is also great for cleaning your stainless steel appliances, chrome fixtures, and tubs because it doesn’t scratch surfaces the way that some other cleaning products can. You may be surprised to learn that baking soda can unclog drains too!
Remove stains naturally
More often than not, you’ll find stains on your clothing if you haven’t done laundry in a while. Try removing these stains by soaking them in vinegar before washing, or even spot-treating with hydrogen peroxide if the stain has already set in too much to soak. Another tip for removing common household stains such as coffee and tea is to mix baking soda and lemon juice in equal parts, applying the mixture directly to the stained area. After letting it sit for a few minutes, run the area under warm water and scrub any remaining residue away with an old toothbrush.
Replace disposable razors
Do you have trouble with growing facial hair? Oftentimes, people who struggle to grow or manage facial hair will use razor blades on their face, hoping that they can get all of the hair cut down to a manageable length. However, there are more eco-friendly ways of removing unwanted facial hair that does not involve throwing out expensive razor cartridges every few days. Hair removal creams are designed to remove unwanted hair without actually cutting it down at the skin level, which means that you won’t have thinning skin or ingrown hairs as your hair starts to grow back either; keeping your skin healthy and radiant.
Use a squeegee after showering
In order to prevent water from seeping into your home, you’ll need to use a squeegee to get rid of the excess water after you step out of the shower. This will help prevent mold growth and the resulting moisture damage that can cause many problems for homeowners. If you have bathroom tiles, be sure to clean them regularly in order to prevent mold buildup or damage caused by too much moisture seeping into cracks and crevices between tiles.
Use DIY cleaning products
Instead of buying expensive cleaners from your local grocery store, try making your own cleaner at home. There are many recipes that call for common household items such as baking soda, white vinegar, salt, and hydrogen peroxide in order to create the perfect cleaning solution. Some of the DIY cleaning products are listed here.
- Baking soda – use baking soda as a grout cleaner by sprinkling it on the area and scrubbing with a brush. You can also mix it with vinegar and water to create a paste for tough jobs like removing rust from bathtubs.
- White vinegar – white vinegar is a good general purpose cleaner when mixed with water, but you can also use it to create your own homemade window cleaner. Simply combine equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle and you have an all-purpose cleaner perfect for mirrors, windows, or even countertops.
- Hydrogen peroxide – hydrogen peroxide is one of the best disinfectants because it’s safe to use around kids and pets (just always make sure to test a small area first before using it on the entire surface). Mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water in a spray bottle to create your own all-purpose cleaner or use it as a mouthwash.
- Water – plain old water is not only an effective window cleaner, but you can also use it as a final rinse after washing dishes (instead of buying expensive commercial kitchen cleaners). This will make your kitchenware shine like new.
- Salt – salt can be combined with lemon juice or vinegar to scrub sinks and countertops; its coarse texture makes it perfect for scrubbing areas that are tough to clean. Plus, salt can help remove stains from marble surfaces by mixing a few teaspoons of salt into a paste with just enough water to make it workable.
- Baking soda and peroxide – baking soda and hydrogen peroxide can be combined to make a natural drain cleaner that will clear out your pipes without damaging them like some commercial cleaners can do. Simply pour equal parts down the drains, allow them to sit for an hour or two, and then rinse with hot water.
