It is high time to think twice before using the usual chemicals in cleaning the house. Some of them have been proven to cause anywhere from skin irritation to kidney ailments. Others are also harmful to pets and to the environment.
Turn things around with these green cleaning tips. Now, you can clean your home without harming your family, your animals, and the environment.
Going Natural
It is possible to go all natural at home. Bid farewell to man-made chemicals that are destructive to health and nature. This also means scoring high on the practical side. You get to save money since you can make your own cleaners using common ingredients at home. With these green cleaning tips, you get all the awesome benefits of effective homemade cleaners while staying environment-friendly and health-conscious.
Common Cleaner Ingredients
Part of the green cleaning tips that will be discussed in this article are some ingredients that can be converted into effective homemade cleaners. Some of these include the following:
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Baking Soda
This is a great deodorant. It efficiently eliminates bad odor so you can sprinkle it in closed spaces like cabinets or closets. You can also do the same for your shoes or for your fridge. Baking soda can also be used a stain remover. All you have to do is to mix it with water until you reach paste-like consistency. Apply it on countertops or any other surface prone to stain. Leave it overnight. The next day, you can go ahead and wipe it off with a damp cloth.
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Vinegar
Vinegar is, perhaps, the most common natural cleaning ingredient. All you have to do is to dilute it in water and you can use it practically for anything except for marble tops. The thing you might have to contend with is its smell. The smell does fade away after it dries so you might have to extend your nose buds’ patience a bit when using this ingredient. You can also opt for natural essences like potpourri to neutralize the smell. Either way, vinegar is one cleaning agent that will surely do the job with a minor downside that can easily be solved.
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Lemon Juice
Just like baking soda, lemon juice is effective at removing stains and deodorizing. It can also be a great polish for brass, copper, and even hardwood.
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Natural Salt
Apart from being a scouring agent, salt can also help in deodorizing and removing stain. You can boost the cleaning properties of vinegar and lemon juice by mixing this with them.
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Borax
Borax can be used for a lot of things. It is a natural insect killer, a laundry booster, and a reliable stain remover. The downside of this ingredient is that it can be potentially lethal to humans and pets. Use this with caution at all times and store it in a place that children and pets cannot reach.
All-Natural Green Cleaning Tips for Your Home
Here are some green cleaning tips when cleaning different parts of your home.
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Keeping the air fresh
There are different ways to keep the air at home fresh and clean by using an all-natural air freshener. Common ingredients are lemon, vanilla, rosemary, ginger root, orange, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and lime. You can either mix it in liquid form that can be sprayed throughout the house or you can opt for a do-it-yourself potpourri. Either way, you can keep it natural at home with a great homemade air freshener that uses chemical-free ingredients.
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Treating garbage disposal
Garbage disposal is a bane for houses. The putrid smell from decaying trash can linger for quite some time. An economical solution is lemon juice. It neutralizes the smell, and when done right, can even give you a citrusy odor. Take it a step further by adding orange peels to the mixture. The smell still lingers even after the garbage has been collected. Eliminate odor by pouring about half a cup of baking soda and letting it sit for about ten to fifteen minutes before rinsing garbage cans with running water.
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Urine stains
Mix baking soda in soapy water. That will definitely do the trick.
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Toilet
Again, baking soda will be helpful in this situation. Mix it with a bit of white vinegar (a cup will do) and let it set for about five minutes before flushing. You might need to scrub the toilet before flushing if the toilet is dirtier than usual.
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Stain
Whether it is on the floor or practically any top (except marble), diluted white vinegar in water will do the job. However, for the most stubborn of stains, you might add a little borax. Just make sure you know how to do it.
These are just some simple yet effective green cleaning tips that will keep your home clean and dandy minus the harmful chemicals. Go ahead and get rid of those toxic cleaning agents. With these green cleaning tips, you are sure to keep your house safe and sanitary for everyone living in it.