3 Steps To A Greener Home
You want to save money, provide a safer environment in your home and look after the Earth. Non-toxic cleaning – otherwise known as green cleaning – is easier to accomplish than you think.
You can still achieve that spotless and sparkling finish in your home using products that take your family’s health and the planet into consideration. If you already have a cabinet full of harsh chemicals, you might not be sure where to start.
These are three of my insider tips for a more greener home. This is not a comprehensive guide, but it’s enough to make a difference and set you up for green cleaning success!
Make home-made solutions with ingredients in your kitchen cupboard!
There are a few products that you may already have on hand, and some you’ll need to obtain.
Note: This list isn’t completely safe or chemical free so be sure to keep them out of reach of the kids. However, the products are a lot more natural and organic than what you’ll find in most manufactured cleaning products.
These products can accomplish most of the cleaning in your home. I’d start by building a green cleaning kit with each of these items, and add more over time as your cleaning routine gets more sophisticated.
- Baking soda – the basis of many household cleaners, this product is so versatile! A gritty scrubber, you can also mix it with acidic liquids like vinegar for powerful reactions.
- Lemon juice – this juice is a powerful natural disinfectant, but also cuts through grease and leaves a great smell. It’s an ideal ingredient for kitchen cleaning.
- White vinegar – a disinfectant that loosens dirt. This product is also great for whitening and can be added to many other products for cleaning throughout the home.
- Olive oil – you can use this to polish wood. It also helps to loosen and pick up dirt.
- Borax – a key ingredient in many products that deodorize, whiten, and disinfect. Borax is an all-around effective cleaner that you’ll find in many natural cleaning product recipes.
Add commercial products as needed
If you’re not one for homemade products, manufactured products may be a better option for you. You can find these online or in stores. There are many companies that specialize in organic and natural lines. Check out my favorites:
You’ll find products for windows, floors, ovens, bathrooms, kitchens, and much more.
An added benefit is that many of these products smell terrific!
Once you’ve built your cleaning kit with the natural products, decide where you could add in a little boost and layer in products from non-toxic brands
Change up your daily routine for a greener home
As we all know too well, it takes more than a deep cleaning once in a while to keep a home in tip-top shape. Making changes in your everyday routine can help ensure that you spend less time deep cleaning.
- Choose natural air fresheners: If you can’t open a window, try a non-chemical choice. During the holidays, try simmering a pot of apple cider, cloves, and orange peels. In warmer months, keep some fresh cut lemons on a plate in your kitchen.
- Keep a layer of foil in the bottom of your oven: Doing so will significantly decrease the number of cleaning products and scrubbing time required.
- Donate old clothes to your cleaning cupboard: Instead of costly and wasteful paper towels and other disposable cleaning supplies – use rags made from old clothes or towels. You can use them to wipe down surfaces. You can even attach them to a Swiffer with a bit of olive oil for a greener way to tidy floors.
- Keep your drains clear – Rather than clean out your drains with harsh chemicals a few times a year, try to keep them clean on a daily basis. Use a specially created cover to keep hair from falling down your shower drain. Once a week, pour boiling water down your sink drain to clear built up oil.
With a few small changes, you can make a big difference in your cleaning routine.
It’s never too late to “go green”. Simply start swapping out some of your current products, and replace them with more natural options. If you just can’t get that excited about green cleaning (or don’t have the time) reach out to House Bliss Cleaning.
I am currently the only house cleaner in the Boston area who is a registered Actionista for The Women’s Voice on Earth. This organization aims to “stop the toxic assault on women’s health and the planet by engaging, inspiring, and mobilizing women to call for a thriving, toxic-free future”. I am passionate about helping families and businesses keep their spaces tidy using only products that are better for people and the environment.
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