It’s time to get rid of the dust and cobwebs that are accumulating.
Choosing Cleaning Equipment
Pick equipment you will enjoy using; it helps ensure that you keep a cleaner home!
Battery-Powered Mops
First things first. Break out the mop. Weekly mopping is a great way to reduce dust, pet dander, and allergens associated with spring.
A lightweight, battery-charged spin model is a great choice for people with wrist and hand issues caused by painful arthritis.
Some mops come with cleaning pads that can be laundered, which is a greener alternative to the disposable cleaning pads on some models.
Choosing Cleaning Solutions
While we all want to make our homes sparkle, keep in mind that some of the products we use may be harmful to our health and the environment.
Americans use up to 25 gallons of household cleaners every year, which is pretty scary, considering more than 150 chemical cleaners found in the average home are linked to birth defects, cancer, and even psychological problems, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The good news is it’s easy to avoid these products by choosing safe, natural cleaning products and making your own from scratch. Reduce your family’s exposure to toxic substances by making the switch.
Just be sure not to dump your chemical cleaners down the drain; instead, take them to a hazardous waste recycling or treatment center. This will keep your family—and the earth—healthy and happy.
Toxins in The Home
It’s no secret that the few-foot area under the sink is one of the most toxic places in the house. In addition to other health problems, a number of household products can trigger:
- allergic reactions
- chemical sensitivities
- asthma attacks
- birth defects
While most of us don’t like to think of our homes as being hazardous to our health, a recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) study finds the air in the average U.S. home to be approximately 70 times more contaminated than the air just outside its walls.
Since we inhale about a pint of atmosphere with every breath, the time has definitely come to clean up our act.
Environmental Hazards
In addition to impacting health, toxic cleaners have an equally negative impact on the environment.
Aside from the fact that many cleaners are packaged in non-recyclable bottles, the chemicals left in these bottles eventually seep into the soil, contaminating groundwater and surface water leading to lakes and streams.
A recent Geological Survey study of contaminants in U.S. stream water found that 69 percent of streams sampled contained toxic detergent byproducts, and 66 percent contained disinfectants.
Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
Clean up your cleaning regimen by becoming a label reader.
If you see a skull and crossbones or the warning “harmful or fatal if inhaled or swallowed,” look for an eco-friendly alternative. Many natural products stores offer nontoxic drain cleaners, laundry detergent, dish soap, and more.
Make Your Own Cleaning Products
You can also create your own safe, effective cleaners using a few basic ingredients.
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Baking Soda
Baking soda can neutralize acid, deodorize, and scrub surfaces without scratching.
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Borax
Borax is a naturally occurring, water-soluble mineral that can deodorize, inhibit the growth of mold and mildew, boost the cleaning power of soap, and remove stains. It can even be used to control household pests.
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Mineral Oil
Mineral oil makes a gentle base for furniture polish.
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Castile Soap
Castile soap substitutes as dishwashing liquid.
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Vinegar
Vinegar dissolves mineral deposits, grease, and mildew, and it can be mixed with water to clean windows without streaking.
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Essential Oils
Since many essential oils have antibacterial, anti-fungal, antiviral, and antibiotic properties, they can add a powerful punch to homemade cleaning solutions and eliminate the need for harsh, toxic disinfectant cleaners and detergents.
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Furniture Polish
According to Karyn Siegel-Maier, author of The Naturally Clean Home ($12.95, Storey, 2021), a few drops of lavender oil mixed with a quarter-cup of linseed oil make an effective furniture polish.
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Bathroom Disinfectant
Add a few drops each of pine and cedar essential oils to two cups of water and two teaspoons of borax, and combine in a spray bottle to disinfect your bathroom.
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