More and more people are turning to greener cleaning techniques to save the planet, to protect their families from harmful chemicals, and to save money as well. In addition to having fewer harmful ingredients, many of the best green cleaning methods are either free or very low cost. You probably have most of the best items in your home right now.
General All-purpose Cleaners
Useful for many surfaces in virtually any room in your house, these green cleaning items are handy to know and should be your go to for everything from a quick tidy up to the deeper cleaning sessions.
- Baking soda. Pure baking soda or baking soda mixed with a little bit of water can do everything from help get your laundry cleaner to cleaning the burned on gunk on your favorite pan. Sprinkle baking soda on the pan, and then add hot water. Let this set overnight, and the stuff should just wipe right off.
- Use baking soda to keep your drains running smoothly. Pour ¼ of a cup of baking soda down each drain once a week, and then flush with hot water. If you do end up with a clog, then you will need baking soda to team up with its green team partner, vinegar. Pour ¼ to ½ of a cup of baking soda into the clogged drain and then follow with ½ of a cup to one cup of vinegar. Be warned: this will bubble up quite a bit. This is a good thing. Once the bubbling settles down, you should put the drain plug in and leave it for half an hour or so. You then run boiling water down the drain. This may need to be repeated a time or two before you get the clog busted, but it is still easier, cheaper, and better for your pipes than the commercial drain openers.
- If your dog or cat comes in with a wet smell, you can sprinkle them with baking soda and then brush it out. They will love the attention, and the wet smell will be gone.
- Use baking soda to clean your hairbrushes and combs once a week. You can also use baking soda as a dry shampoo when you are running short on time.
Vinegar
Another tool in the green cleaning arsenal is pure white vinegar, and it is one of the best things to have around your home. Here are just a few of the ways you can use it:
- Clean your floors with a solution of ½ cup of white vinegar and ½ gallon of water.
- Get rid of carpet stains with 1 teaspoon of liquid detergent and 1 teaspoon of vinegar in a pint of tepid water. Rinse with a wet towel, and blot dry.
- Clean your windows with vinegar and old newspaper, and you will never get streaks or film.
- Use ¼ cup of vinegar and 1 cup of water boiled in the microwave to make cleaning it a breeze. Run the mixture for about 2 minutes or so, and then everything will be loose and ready to be wiped off.
- Use vinegar to remove stickers from everything from your dishes to your car’s bumpers and everything in between.