Back in 2019, Technavio reported the emergence of eco-friendly and sustainable cleaning products. This is due to the growing demand for alcohol and chemical-free cleaning agents.
However, living a carbon-neutral life does not mean that you have to spend more money. You would be surprised how household items like vinegar and baking soda can keep your house clean.
If you want to find ways to implement toxic-free cleaning, here are some tips:
1. Vinegar for Grease and Grime
Vinegar is one household item that you need to keep with you at all times, and that's not only because of cooking. Vinegar's acidic property makes it an excellent substance that can help you get rid of more problematic to remove debris.
Of course, since it's acidic, you have to be careful where you apply it. Otherwise, you'll be doing more harm than good.
With that said, you can use vinegar to get rid of any grease or grime. All you need to do is soak a rag or cloth in vinegar and use that to wipe away the grease and grime. You have to make sure that you only use this on non-porous materials to don't end up damaging whatever it is you're cleaning.
If you want to use vinegar for cleaning, but you don't want to get that sour smell everywhere, you can dilute it with water. However, this might affect the effectiveness of the vinegar, so check how much vinegar you need.
2. Baking Soda for Bathroom Stains
Sodium bicarbonate or baking soda is another household item that is very useful for cleaning your home.
Aside from your baked goods, a good sprinkling of baking soda is also helpful for getting rid of tough stains. They can help you get rid of stains from many surfaces, including any bathroom stains.
You don't need to add anything to baking soda when cleaning your bathroom. However, some people like creating a paste with baking soda plus water together. You can then use a brush to scrub through the stain, but make sure you let the baking soda sit on the stain first before washing.
Also, use a test spot first so you can see if anything is amiss before you start scrubbing away.
3. Lemon Essential Oil in the Garbage Disposal
Your garbage disposal has to go through a lot of food waste daily. You can expect that all that food debris is bound to create an unpleasant smell wafting from the garbage disposal. You don't want to leave that by itself.
Luckily, the solution is quite simple. All you need to do is get your essential oil of choice. At Eco Pro Auckland Commercial Cleaners, we recommend lemon essential oil because it smells citrusy and fresh.
Drop a few essential oils into the garbage disposal, maybe one to three drops, but it should depend on you. When you drop it, turn on the garbage disposal after. That should decrease the unwanted odor and make the lemon scent permeate—no more stinky garbage disposal.
4. Microfiber Cloth on Surfaces
Many people keep paper towels on hand to get rid of any messes and spills around the kitchen or only around the house.
Although it's convenient, you can tell that it's quite wasteful since you will have to throw it away immediately after use. Instead of that, why not get yourself a microfiber cloth?
Store it someplace that's easy to access, and you'll have a super absorbent and lint-free cleaning cloth. You don't even have to throw it away immediately after use. You can wash it, and it should be good to go again.
The great thing about microfiber cloth is that you can use it on any surface, and it would leave fewer marks than if you used any other type of towel. Plus, unlike a paper towel or even different types of cloth towel, it won't leave behind fuzz or lint on the surfaces you're cleaning.
5. Green Seal-certified Products
Many people would claim that their products are eco-friendly or sustainable. This is because they want to jump the trend and abate consumers' concerns.
However, this doesn't guarantee that they are sustainable. That's why you have to check whether or not they have a green seal certification on the product.
The green seal will indicate whether a product follows or passed the scientific, health, and environmental screening standards. It's a lot more reliable than claims that the company made itself.
The Bottom Line
More and more people want to live in a clean and non-toxic home that won't harm themselves and the environment.
That's why there's a growing interest in the use of homemade cleaning products. The ways listed above use any household product you have lying around, making green cleaning more accessible.
Try these cleaning solutions yourself next time so that you can have a clean and green home for you and your family.
