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Cleaning your home is a necessary task. But did you know that there are ways to make it cleaner, healthier, and better for the environment too? Here we will show you 7 simple tips on going green when cleaning!
1. Get the Right Cleaning Supplies
When it comes to green cleaning, you can’t rely on the harsh chemical cleaners found in most stores. Instead, look for plant-based oils and vinegar. These ingredients have been used for years to cut tough grease and grime without filling your home with toxic fumes.
Vinegar is an excellent degreaser and is also a natural disinfectant. Add it to hot water and clean countertops, toilets, and floors. Just remember to use an all-natural white distilled vinegar.
Lemons are a vital ingredient when learning how to green clean. Antibacterial and antiseptic, this zesty fruit works overtime. Here’s how to green clean like a pro with this citrus fruit:
Boil your lemon in some water for about 5 minutes.
Use the hot water to clean counters, appliances, and stovetops. It will leave these surfaces smelling fresh and feeling smooth.
Use the leftover boiled lemons for an all-natural air freshener by placing them in a bowl around the house or even in your car!
2. Floor Cleaning Solutions
Throw out the toxic floor cleaners and start using a simple vinegar mixture, water, and lemon juice. It will leave your hardwood floors shining while also killing harmful germs.
Mix 1 cup of white distilled vinegar with ½ cup of lemon juice and add 2 gallons of hot water. The best thing about this natural cleaner is that it won’t leave any sticky residue on your floors, and it’s great for wood, tile, and laminate, as well as vinyl.
You can also use baking soda instead of vinegar for a gentler clean. Sprinkle the baking soda on your floor and then add some water to make a paste. After scrubbing away dirt with a damp cloth or sponge, you can use boiling water to mop up any extra residue.
Dust regularly to avoid buildup and minimize the need for cleaning later. If you don’t dust regularly, you’ll end up with a lot of dust buildup. The longer you leave it unattended, the longer it takes to clean it up at a later stage. To prevent this from happening, dust frequently, and you’ll be good to go!
Vacuum often with a HEPA filter vacuum to reduce allergens in your home. When we vacuum our floors, we’re removing loose dirt and grime, but we’re also removing dust and other airborne particles like pet dander and pollen. If you suffer from allergies or asthma, it’s a good idea to vacuum your home regularly.
Don’t let your wooden furniture collect dust and grime. Dusting wood furniture is an essential part of the cleaning process, even if you have a deep clean once or twice a year. Dust can settle into fine surface cracks, creating a film that damages wood over time. To prevent this from happening, dust regularly, and you’ll be good to go!
3. Dishwasher Detergent & Air Freshener
You can also green clean your dishwasher by using vinegar as the basis of your detergent. Add 1 cup of vinegar to each load. This will also help deodorize your dishwasher and keep it smelling fresh without emitting any poisonous chemicals into the air.
To make your home smell amazing naturally, try this easy recipe: Mix 1 cup of water, two tablespoons of baking soda, and a few drops of essential oil like lavender or citrus. Put the mixture in an open container and place it wherever you’d like to have a fresh scent. Need to deodorize your home quickly? Try boiling cinnamon sticks, cloves, and allspice in a small pot of water. You can do this on the stove or simply put the mixture in a saucepan with an inch of water and place it in the microwave. Either way, you’ll have your house smelling great in no time!
4. All-Purpose Cleaners
Around 90% of all household cleaners contain harsh chemicals harmful to the environment. These chemicals often seep into waterways where they can damage marine life and wildlife, not just in our backyards.
When cleaning your home, you should look for eco-friendly alternatives to avoid these problems. There are a lot of them – from natural soaps to vinegar and lemon juice.
A great way to clean every surface inside your home is by making your all-purpose cleaner. To do this, just mix 1 cup of water with 1/4 cup of white vinegar and ten drops of your favorite essential oil. Fill a spray bottle with the mixture, and you’ll be able to wipe down countertops, bathrooms, floors, or even windows without worrying about exposing yourself to harsh chemicals.
Another green cleaning recipe calls for 1/2 cup of baking soda, 1/2 cup of lemon juice, and 1 gallon of water. However, only use this mixture on sealed surfaces because it can potentially damage marble or other natural stones if used too often.
5. Dishes
If you’ve already got the vinegar out for your dishwasher, why not use it to clean dishes too? Fill your sink with hot water and add ½ cup of vinegar. Let the dishes soak in this mixture for about 10 minutes, then rinse as usual. You can also use a homemade baking soda scrub or some lemon rinds as a natural sponge. If you’d rather keep your dishes sparkling without using any chemicals, simply fill up an aluminum basin with hot water and place the plates inside. Add 1/2 cup of vinegar to help clean the dishes and eliminate odors.
6. Microfiber Instead of Paper
Use a microfiber cloth to clean instead of paper towels – they’re more absorbent and can be reused multiple times
Paper towels are bad for the environment because it takes enormous amounts of wood to produce them. They also create a massive amount of waste each year.
If you want to clean your home eco-friendlier, microfiber cloths are the way to go. They’re much more absorbent than paper towels and can be reused multiple times. How awesome is that?
7. Furniture Polish
Dusting wood furniture is an essential part of the cleaning process, even if you have a deep clean once or twice a year. Dust can settle into fine surface cracks, creating a film that damages wood over time. To prevent this from happening, dust regularly, and you’ll be good to go!
To deep clean your wood furniture, try out this recipe: Mix 1/4 cup of olive oil, a few drops of your favorite essential oil, and two tablespoons of lemon juice. Put the mixture in a jar with a lid and use it to clean wood surfaces whenever they need a quick polish. This is a great way to nourish the wood and cut through tough grease and grime.
In Conclusion
Green cleaning is good for your home and the environment and doesn’t have to be complicated. All you need are a few simple ingredients, some microfiber cloths, and an eco-friendly mindset! Do you have cleaning tips for us? Let us know!