How to Clean Green

Cleaning products vary in type and purpose to wash away the dirt and grime in homes and buildings. Most traditional products today may have environmental implications or have harsh chemicals. On the surface, traditional cleaning products may be viewed as safe-to-use but often times have warning labels with strict precautions to adhere to. These cleaning products are usually petroleum-based and can be quite harmful to your health if the proper instructions are not followed and if your home isn’t well ventilated. To avoid further harm to the environment and your health, try giving natural cleaners a chance to clean up your home or office without the harmful side effects. I personally think you’ll be surprised on how easy it is to clean green.

Use Green Products for Cleaning

As the environmental and health implications of traditional products are gradually sinking in, greener alternatives are slowly gaining popularity. Green cleaning products are competing with established conventional brands for the right to become the ultimate cleaning solution to any home or office. Green cleaning products are usually biodegradable and sometimes made from renewable materials.

If you find green cleaning products a bit expensive in supermarkets, try home-made cleaners instead which could actually be a fun DIY project. You can mix baking soda and vinegar to wipe off dirt and dust on any surface. Combine warm water into the mixture of vinegar and baking soda to create your very own green and all-around cleaner.

Open Windows While Cleaning

When using green cleaning products, allow fresh air indoors by keeping windows open. Some toxins may be released in the air once you start wiping the cleaning solution on walls and floors. It is best to avoid poor air quality inside your home or office by allowing the fresh air inside so that the toxins can swiftly breeze out.

Use Antibacterial Cleaners with Caution

If you are one of those people who think that using antibacterial cleaners are necessary, better pay attention. Most people think that antibacterial cleaners do a job better than soap and water. According to the FDA, the notion is not true. You can still clean surfaces the green way by washing your hands with soap and water thoroughly without the need for antibacterial.

Clean with Baking Soda

This one is my personal favorite because of its many different applications. Does something smell inside your refrigerator? Remove strange odors by using baking soda. Baking soda has chemical properties that absorb foul odors. It can also be used when cleaning carpets if you smell something fishy. Just add a little baking soda on the carpet before using a vacuum to clean it.

Use Natural Air Fresheners

To keep your home smelling fresh all day, use natural air fresheners instead of those small cans commonly bought in stores. Clean green by making your own air freshener. Prepare cloves, cinnamon and other herbs that you like and boil them. Let the mixture cool off before putting it inside a container of your choice. If you don’t want to boil herbs, get a plant and place it inside your home. Plants have a way of making your house smell good depending on the type of plant. They also keep the air inside your home fresh.

Dispose Toxic Cleaning Materials Properly

If you are planning to replace your cleaning products, avoid throwing the empty cans in your trash bins. Toxic cleaners are not safe for the landfill and the drain in your sink. Throwing toxic cleaning materials down the drain might contaminate the water supply in your community. Check your local recycling center for tips on disposing your old conventional cleaning products away.

Photo Credit: Some rights reserved by I am I.A.M. via Flickr.

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JT (423 Posts)

Just living life in Portland, Oregon and enjoying every day that goes by. I love the environment, and I love community, and I love being able to share my experiences and perspective with the world. Follow @EnvironmentBlog

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