From Guest Blogger Alex: Clean your Home without Polluting the Planet

Imagine 275 pesticides all over your home. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), everyday sprays, liquids and concentrated powders make this collection of poison more of a reality than an exaggeration. The purpose of these antimicrobial pesticides are to disinfect and sanitize; and protect against foul odors, bacteria and fungi. While they’re effective at cleaning, too many also have health risks if they touch bare skin or make contact with eyes. They also consistently kill plant and wildlife after being flushed or poured into the sewer system.

With the ginormous amount of cleaning supplies sold in every major retail store, it may seem like an odd idea to switch to the basics: lemon, baking soda, microfiber cloths and vinegar. But they work.

Washing dishes

There are quite a few eco-friendly cleaning products. The problem here is that too much water is wasted while washing dishes. Fill the sink just enough to wash all dishes individually instead of piling them all inside at the same time. The latter technique almost always succeed in the front of your shirt getting as wet as the dishes. Also, instead of rinsing each dish individually, wait until all are clean and on a rack. Then use one clean cup to slowly rinse them all off. Fill up the cup until all dishes are effectively rinsed. For dishwashers, avoid small cleanings. Wait until you have enough dishes to fill up every rack, including side cups and panels.

Do laundry

Appliance companies have jumped on the bandwagon for energy-star ratings. Following the directions to these new appliances makes this the easiest form of cleaning yet. As far as cleaning, vinegar works wonders on stains from wine, mustard, grease, grass, ink, deodorant, coffee and more. Hand-washing, however, should be treated like dishwashing. Use just enough water to lather the clothing. Then turn the water off and clean as needed. After the cleaning process is completed to your satisfaction, then turn the water back on to rinse off. Try to avoid filling buckets full of water. All that does is lead to sudsy water and an additional rinse to get the sudsy water off of the clothes. This also makes the air-drying process way longer than needed.

Clean, disinfect bathroom

The bathroom is one of the main areas that is regularly cleaned with overly strong products. Meanwhile baking soda can whiten and help scrub a tub like it’s brand new. A real lemon is as effective a cleaner as it is a fragrance. Microfiber cloths easily get off toothpaste stains on mirrors and around faucets. Just wash, skip the fabric softener and reuse as needed. And baking soda lightens just about everything with repeated use, from teeth to the toilet.

Clean carpet

From gum stuck in carpet to carpet stains that just won’t let up, steam cleaning companies have the supplies to effectively clean some of the toughest grime. Initially it may seem easier to just get new carpet instead of going through the trouble of paying a company to clean old carpet, but carpet will eventually become dirty again. Why not preserve quality carpet and just have it professionally cleaned instead of opting for a new set each time? Pet owners will especially appreciate carpet steam cleaning companies, such as this one, that specialize in getting out stubborn aromas and pet waste.

Furniture upholstery

The upside of making aromatic meals is they make a home smell inviting. The downside is that same garlic bread smell or BBQ fragrance will stay on furniture long after the meal remnants are in the trash. One of the most useful ways, especially in warm-weather climates, to avoid this is to simply open the windows. Even if it’s a bit cool outside, the stove will heat up a kitchen in no time. Let the neighbors and passersby enjoy a whiff of your chef specialty instead of the couch.

Initially it may be a bummer for your home to no longer smell like a rainforest or Hawaii, apple pie or cookies, or coffee and bubble gum. But that’s all the more reason to take a vacation, bake or head to the nearest cafe. You can enjoy the smell and a clean home, just maybe not together.