Green cleaning Tips

Today's article was written by: Sam Jones who writes on environmental and green energy issues. He keeps an eye on energy suppliers and the cheapest electricity prices and aspires to give his readers the latest information on the world of green.

 

Green cleaning Tips

Are you looking for ways to clean and freshen your home that don’t involve harsh chemicals? Whether you’re looking to save money by making your own cleansers, or simply because you prefer natural ways of cleaning, here are some helpful ideas to clean “green”!

The basic ingredients you should acquire (most you probably have on hand!) are baking soda, white vinegar, olive oil, fresh citrus peel, cinnamon stick/other herbs, and water.

- To polish furniture, use a bit of olive oil on a rag. Rub the oil into wood furniture as you would normally do with furniture polish, for a natural shine. A little goes a long way, you do not want to make your furniture appear greasy. Do not use olive oil to polish wood floors, as this can make them slippery and dangerous.

- Clean mold from your shower or sink with white vinegar. Spray the molded spot with the vinegar, scrub with a brush or old toothbrush to remove the affected areas. Vinegar is also useful for removing hard water stains. Spray or pour on the affected area, let it sit for a few minutes, and scrub.

- Get rid of odors all over the home with baking soda. You can sprinkle the baking soda on carpet and vacuum up. Let the baking soda sit for 20-30 minutes to properly absorb any outstanding odors. You can also leave an open box of baking soda in your refrigerator to absorb odors.

- Freshen the air in your home without chemicals. On the stovetop, combine some cinnamon sticks in water and heat on low. Don’t leave the concoction unattended, for safety reasons.

- Get rid of any odors in your garbage disposal by grinding some orange rind. Immediately makes the sink smell fresher!

- Shine a stainless steel sink by making a paste of baking soda and water. Rub the gritty paste into the sink with a sponge and rinse clean, leaving a shiny sink.

- Did you know you can clean your windows or mirrors with newspaper? You do not need to use any liquid, unless the window is especially dirty. If the window or mirror has a lot of residue, spray with vinegar and wipe clean with a towel.

- To mop your floor, combine a cup of white vinegar with warm water in a bucket (approximately one gallon of water). Use as an eco-friendly mopping solution that leaves no residue.

There are also eco-friendly cleaning products that you can purchase, if you don’t have the ingredients or time to make your own. In the last few years, many companies have come out with natural products, so you have many options at various price points.

As with any cleaning product, be sure to wear protective gloves and eyewear to prevent exposure to skin or eyes. Once you begin using natural ways of cleaning, you’ll find you’ll likely save quite a bit of money in comparison to buying chemical products. Your home will smell fresher, and you’ll obtain the same beautiful results. Happy cleaning!

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