Have you ever felt like you need to wear a Hazmat suit when you use your regular household cleaning chemicals? Often the chemicals used to scour bathrooms, glass, and other parts of a home are far more potent than they need to be, and breathing the fumes of these chemicals is an unpleasant part of cleaning. However, using such strong chemicals can be easily replaced by using many eco-friendly solutions. More specifically, many items that you already have around your home can be used as green cleaning products, providing both an environmentally friendly and budget friendly alternative to regular cleaning products.
Vinegar
Vinegar is one of the most underused (but excellent) all natural cleaning solutions. White vinegar is acidic enough to perform the necessary cleaning function of dissolving away household grit, but it is also gentle enough to use without the need for wearing gloves. Vinegar makes an excellent glass cleaner and can be used as an affordable alternative to Windex. For added economical value, vinegar may be diluted in a spray bottle, using about half a cup for of vinegar and filling the remainder of the bottle with water. This diluted vinegar solution is gentle enough to be used on hardwood floors.
Vinegar is one of the most underused (but excellent) all natural cleaning solutions. White vinegar is acidic enough to perform the necessary cleaning function of dissolving away household grit, but it is also gentle enough to use without the need for wearing gloves. Vinegar makes an excellent glass cleaner and can be used as an affordable alternative to Windex. For added economical value, vinegar may be diluted in a spray bottle, using about half a cup for of vinegar and filling the remainder of the bottle with water. This diluted vinegar solution is gentle enough to be used on hardwood floors.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is also an excellent cleaning solution. Just as this compound is capable of cleaning out cuts and drawing out the grit in them, hydrogen peroxide can also be used to clean out the grit in kitchen counters and other grouted surfaces. As an added bonus, hydrogen peroxide can also often be used to draw out yellow perspiration stains in the underarm pits of white shirts. However, when using hydrogen peroxide for this latter purpose, be sure to gently rinse out the compound prior to washing the shirt with other articles of clothing.
Hydrogen peroxide is also an excellent cleaning solution. Just as this compound is capable of cleaning out cuts and drawing out the grit in them, hydrogen peroxide can also be used to clean out the grit in kitchen counters and other grouted surfaces. As an added bonus, hydrogen peroxide can also often be used to draw out yellow perspiration stains in the underarm pits of white shirts. However, when using hydrogen peroxide for this latter purpose, be sure to gently rinse out the compound prior to washing the shirt with other articles of clothing.
Baking Soda
Another great green cleaning product is baking soda. Effective at cleaning just about everything from filthy ovens to dirty carpets, baking soda offers a non-toxic way to freshen up your home. To use baking soda to clean carpets, simply sprinkle some of this compound onto the desired area of your home and subsequently vacuum it up; the baking soda should help remove odours from this area of your carpet. At the same time, as briefly mentioned previously, baking soda can also be used to clean ovens; to do this, simply make a paste of baking soda, coarse salt, and water, and leave this paste on the desired areas of the oven for several minutes before scrubbing it off with a wet rag. Baking soda can also be useful for keeping a refrigerator smelling fresh; leave an opened box of baking soda in the fridge to enjoy this benefit.
Another great green cleaning product is baking soda. Effective at cleaning just about everything from filthy ovens to dirty carpets, baking soda offers a non-toxic way to freshen up your home. To use baking soda to clean carpets, simply sprinkle some of this compound onto the desired area of your home and subsequently vacuum it up; the baking soda should help remove odours from this area of your carpet. At the same time, as briefly mentioned previously, baking soda can also be used to clean ovens; to do this, simply make a paste of baking soda, coarse salt, and water, and leave this paste on the desired areas of the oven for several minutes before scrubbing it off with a wet rag. Baking soda can also be useful for keeping a refrigerator smelling fresh; leave an opened box of baking soda in the fridge to enjoy this benefit.
Lemon Juice with Olive Oil
Finally, a combination of lemon juice and olive oil can be used to tackle a number of common household cleaning concerns. Like vinegar, lemon juice is extremely acidic and can effectively eat away at grit that has accumulated over time. Lemon juice is also an excellent way to combat mould, mildew, and other unwanted household fungi. Simply apply a lemon juice solution to any affected areas to enjoy this benefit. At the same time, olive oil is an excellent all natural polishing solution. To enjoy the combined benefits of lemon juice and olive oil, create a solution of two parts olive oil to one part lemon juice and rub it into wood furniture for a lovely shine and fresh scent.
Finally, a combination of lemon juice and olive oil can be used to tackle a number of common household cleaning concerns. Like vinegar, lemon juice is extremely acidic and can effectively eat away at grit that has accumulated over time. Lemon juice is also an excellent way to combat mould, mildew, and other unwanted household fungi. Simply apply a lemon juice solution to any affected areas to enjoy this benefit. At the same time, olive oil is an excellent all natural polishing solution. To enjoy the combined benefits of lemon juice and olive oil, create a solution of two parts olive oil to one part lemon juice and rub it into wood furniture for a lovely shine and fresh scent.
The author, Hugo Riddle, writes about several topics including home contents insurance and other finance subjects. Find more on Your Insurance Quote.
