There are many good reasons to make your cleaning routine more green. You are less likely to expose yourself to harmful chemicals, many cleaning alternatives are already in your kitchen cupboard and it is better for the environment. From knowing how to remove ink stains from clothes to creating your own window cleaner solution, here’s what you need to know for cleaning your home in a more eco-friendly way.
1. Biodegradable alternatives
Regular cleaning products can contain toxic chemicals that are harmful to your skin as well as the environment. When buying cleaning products, opt for biodegradable, non-toxic alternatives. If you want your home cleaned by professionals, use a house cleaning service that specifies biodegradable chemicals when cleaning your home. Bro4u can offer such services that you can book here.
2. Baking powder
If there’s one ingredient to keep in your cupboard for cleaning, baking soda would be it. This ingredient can be used as a fabric softener, odour-neutraliser, multi-purpose cleaner, clothes brightener and stain remover. For example, if you want to know how to remove ink stains from clothes and other fabrics, all you need to do is mix water and baking soda to create a paste and apply it to the stain. You can also mix baking soda with vinegar to create a multipurpose cleaner for your bathroom, kitchen sink, and oven. Just remember to wear gloves as baking soda can irritate the skin.
3. Lemons
When you’re served lemons, make your own kitchen cleaner. Lemons are one of the most versatile ingredients in your fridge that can be used for scrubbing surfaces, removing odours and getting rid of stains from chopping boards and kitchen countertops. They are also great for cleaning microwaves – all you need to do is blend a mixture of lemon juice, water and rinds in a measuring jug and boil the water in the microwave for three minutes. The condensation softens gunk and food splatters, making it easy to wipe away with a cloth. It also makes surfaces smell fresh.
4. Make your own furniture polish
You can create your own furniture polish by combining two parts olive oil with one part lemon juice. This homemade furniture polish can be applied to finished wood surfaces with a soft cloth to help protect them from light scratches and mug rings.
5. Homemade window cleaner
To make your windows shine, all you need to do is to mix a 50/50 solution of water and vinegar and apply to your windows. You can also crumple up newspaper, soak it in water and then scrub the glass to polish the window. The ink in the newspaper helps to make the window shine – although wear gloves when you do this as you may get ink stains on your hands.
6. Freshening the air
Instead of opting for expensive, pungent and artificial-smelling air fresheners, open your windows to get rid of an odour instead. Houseplants also help to provide more oxygen and help to reduce the air pollution in a room.
Creating your own cleaning products can save you money in the long run while also saving the environment. With a few simple changes to your cleaning routine, you can substitute expensive and harmful products with your own eco-friendly and cheaper alternatives.
