5 Housekeeping Tips to Clean Your House in an Eco-Friendly Way

Even in this day and age, living clean and green is a challenge. As a matter of fact, there is a problem with cleaning and hygiene products in the first place. Most of them are loaded with chemicals and toxins that are harmful to our health and also to the environment.

Cleaning products are major contributors in pollution. Thanks to these products, the air inside our home tends to be 2.5 percent more toxic than the air outside. That doesn’t mean they don’t have a significant impact on the outdoor environment. They are filled with toxins that are depleting the ozone layer. In simple words, the carbon footprint of these chemicals is too damn high!

How does one find their way around this dilemma?

While it isn’t easy, it is certainly not impossible. There are ways to avoid chemicals that ultimately harm our planet. There are ways to make better use of natural resources. You just need to be more careful with each and every choice you make in this regard.

Today, we will share five amazing housekeeping tips to clean your house in an eco-friendly way. Let’s begin.

1.    Products from the Pantry

The first thing you can do to avoid excessive use of chemicals in your home is to avoid buying excessive amount of chemicals. You don’t need all those commercial cleaning product for every room and every item. You can create perfectly effective greener alternatives at home. All the ingredients are already in your kitchen.

For now, let’s talk about the three heroes of home cleaning: lemon, baking soda, and vinegar.

• Vinegar: It is a natural disinfectant and is strong enough to cut through grease. That makes it perfect for kitchen surfaces and oven cleaning. You can use it to clean mirrors and glass surfaces as well. It also works as an excellent fabric softener.

• Lemon: Lemon itself is a quite strong cleaner. It works extremely well when you have to get rid of the odor. That makes it perfect for microwave oven cleaning. You can use it to remove stubborn stains from any surface. Just leave a bit of juice for a few minutes and scrub it off.

• Baking Soda: Now, if you think lemon and vinegar aren’t strong enough for the stubborn grease and stains, add a bit of baking soda and behold the miracle. It is a great deodorizer for fridge, dishwasher, and microwave oven. Leave a past of baking soda and vinegar on deep settled grout and watch it vanish. 

Other than these three MVPs, there are numerous herbs and spices that can help you replace your cleaning products. For instance, you can boil a handful of cinnamon, cloves, and other sweet-smelling herbs for natural air freshening effects. You can even use olive oil instead of wood varnish. The list goes on. 

If you decide to hire a house cleaning company ask them beforehand if they will be using eco-friendly products. Companies like SwiftClean offer to use only eco-friendly products if you ask them. Lots of other companies have also adapted to this trend.

2.    Wipe Don’t Wash   

Water is an essential element that makes life possible on this planet – but our planet is quickly running out of it. By 2030, nearly half of the world’s population will be dealing with water scarcity.  We consume more water than the water cycle is able to produce, and that is because we waste more than we use. Limiting your water consumption is a crucial part of leading a greener life.

People often believe that washing a surface or an object with plenty of water is somehow the best way to clean. Not only is it bad for the environment, it is also less effective. Wiping a surface with a wet cloth can save your time, water, and efforts.

Just put a bit of vinegar and soda paste on stains, and wipe it off after a few minutes. Wiping your floor is also good for the overall condition of the floor. It will stay shiny and strong for longer. This itself is a great way to reduce your home’s carbon footprint.

3.    Stay Away from Vacuum

Vacuum cleaners might have been hailed as the best household invention for decades, and they truly are extremely helpful, but they aren’t always your best option. At the end of the day, vacuum cleaners are electronic appliances that use plenty of electricity. Unless your home is powered by solar energy, there is no point in bringing the vacuum out for every tiny bit of crumb on the carpet.

A brush and a dustpan is all you need to take care of those tiny imperfections. You don’t need to plug those in. Just one sweep and the particle is gone. Doesn’t really take a lot of energy.

4.    Invest in Greener Products

It is understandable that some cleaning products don’t have a homemade alternative. Heavy-duty home cleaning does require some use of chemical. Home cleaning isn’t all about spots and stains. You also need to get rid of pests and bugs.

The good news is that there are plenty of green options available in the stores nowadays. There are certified eco-friendly household products such as Proof bed bug spray. It can help you keep your home pest free without introducing tones of chemicals and toxins inside.

5.    Clear the Clutter

In the wise words of Marie Kondo, the only things you need in your home are the ones that truly spark joy for you. Give it a realistic thought and it only leaves you with a few items. Decluttering your home is the key to keeping your cleaning needs to a bare minimum. Nothing is more eco-friendly than that!

While we are at it, it is important to consider the ways you dispose of your unwanted items. Recycling and upcycling is the greenest way to go about. It is best to keep the “recycling” factor in mind whenever buying a new item for your home. If it is recyclable, it is a good choice. If not, see if there is an alternative.

The Final Word

Eco-friendly cleaning is possible – and it is important. A truly harmless way of cleaning your home is something this planet needs at this time. It takes conscious efforts and careful choices. Thankfully, there are more and more greener choices available in stores. Make the right choice for your own sake and for the future of this planet.

About Bio:

Alycia Gordan is a freelance writer who loves to read and write articles on healthcare technology, fitness and lifestyle. She is a tech junkie and divides her time between travel and writing. You can find her on Twitter: @meetalycia