Environmentally Green House Cleaning
- Several products you already have at home work well as cleaners. Baking soda works for a number of green cleaning purposes. It cleans, deodorizes and scours. Mix it with warm water to create an all-purpose cleaning solution. Sprinkle it in the toilet to clean away grime without scratching your porcelain. Shake it in the carpet and vacuum to remove odors.
White vinegar is another popular household product used to clean and deodorize. It works well on countertops, in garbage disposals, drains, microwaves, refrigerators and toilets just to name a few. It helps with grease and mildew.
Several other household products also serve cleaning purposes around the home. Isopropyl alcohol is known as a disinfectant. Washing soda works well on grease and stains. Lemon works well on bacteria and adds a fresh scent to the home. Use it in the garbage disposal to freshen it. - If you prefer commercial cleaners, choose carefully. Many brands exploit the current interest in natural products, adding words such as "natural," "biodegradable" or "organic" on the label to entice buyers. These words don't always equal a green cleaning product that is good for the environment. Look for plant-based cleaners that use corn or coconut oil. The EPA has a Design for the Environment program that places seals on approved products. Also look for seals from Cradle to Cradle and Green Seal. Ecover and Seventh Generation are two companies that produce environmentally-friendly cleaners.
- You can clean the air in your home by adding plants. Certain houseplants, such as spider plant and philodendron, are effective at removing toxins from the air in a home. They also add oxygen to the air during the day. Plants give a natural feel to a room, adding to the decor. Opening the windows to allow fresh air into the home is another way to get rid of toxins in your home's air. Tightly sealed homes keep these chemicals inside unless you open the doors and windows on a regular basis.