Practicing sustainable, healthy living is all about making small changes that can result in a big positive impact on our families and community. Using safe, all natural cleaning products is another way you can reduce your carbon output and stay healthy while keeping your home beautiful.
You might be surprised to discover that some of the most effective, non-toxic cleaning products are already in your kitchen cabinet. The most versatile components in many natural cleaners are vinegar and baking soda. Other items such as hydrogen peroxide, vodka, lemon juice, olive oil, and essential oils can create effective, safe cleaners that will make your house squeaky clean.
Label Everything
As with all cleaning products, it’s important to know what you’re working with. Make sure to clearly label all cleaning products to keep everything organized and easy to use. Refill bottles with the same product when they run low to keep from having to re-label and risk confusion.
Soda Scrubbing
Putting baking soda into a shaker (think Parmesan cheese) makes it easier to dispense when it comes time to clean. Use baking soda in the same way you use powder cleaners to you scrub your tile, tubs, and sinks. The abrasion is low, so it’s safe to use on most glass, stovetops and counters.
Vinegar for Floors
For parents of young children who spend a lot of time on the floor, keeping floors clean yet safe for tiny hands and feet can present a challenge. Simply wiping over hardwood and tiled floors with a damp sponge mop in between heavy cleaning will reduce your work and keep chemicals away from your children. When a more intense cleaning is called for, wash your hard floors with white vinegar and water; add a few drops of an essential oil to water for a rinse that will keep your house from smelling musty. This effective cleaner will keep your floors safe for toddlers and pets alike.
Vodka for Stains and Smells
To remove stains and odors from your carpet, try misting them with a combination of one part water to one part vodka—the cheapest kind will do. This mixture also works well on upholstery, curtains, and windows. Soak your laundry with vodka and water to remove tough stains. The alcohol is safely absorbed into fabrics and will not create a harmful vapor for children or pets. Vodka is also highly effective at sanitizing and removing mildew, which makes it an ideal product for cleaning your bathroom fixtures—much safer than chlorine bleach.
Healthy Laundry Loads
Soaking your whites in hydrogen peroxide or baking soda and water is gentle on your clothing and doesn’t result in a yellow tint the way chlorine bleach often does. Check the label of your detergents to be sure they are totally biodegradable and don’t contain harmful ingredients like chlorine. Make your detergent last longer by using a little bit less and adding a cup of salt to retain color and brightness.
Feed Your Furniture
Wood furniture doesn’t need much to keep it beautiful. To clean, wipe down with a vinegar and water mixture and pat dry. Apply a rub of one part olive oil to one part lemon juice to give it just what it needs to stay beautiful.
Don’t Want to DIY?
Seventh Generation, Method, and Clorox offer a wide variety of safe, effective cleaning products that are now readily available in big box stores such as Target, Wal-Mart, and Sam’s Club. Check the labels of your cleaning products to make sure they don’t contain harmful ingredients such as chlorine and make sure the product is 100% biodegradable.
Using safe alternatives to popular cleaning products is just another way to practice sustainable living and improve your daily life. With no more harmful fumes or worry of your children getting into something toxic, you’re sure to have peace of mind. By using some of these healthy tips, your family will surely thank you.
