Clean green for a safer home and environment
Clean green for a safer home and environment
As you go through your spring cleaning routine, you use countless products to wipe, dust, and scrub surfaces throughout your home. But why not focus on greening your home at the same time? You can start with the cleaning tools in your hands.
There are approximately 65 synthetic chemical products in the average American home, and those chemicals affect our environment. Nearly 70 percent of North American streams contain broken-down chemicals from laundry detergents.
By gradually changing to green cleaning products, you can reduce your environmental footprint. Green cleaning products are just as effective as traditional cleaners, and they have a much safer impact on your home and our world. Plus, you can start gradually — find green replacements as you use up your current products. You can purchase environmentally friendly, non-toxic cleaners in stores, or you can create your own.
Here are six easy ways to start green cleaning at home:
- Make your glass and mirrors shine: Wash them with combination of four tablespoons lemon juice and ½ gallon water.
- Remove a stain from vinyl: Dip a cotton cloth in lemon juice and rub on the stained area.
- Create your own furniture polish: Mix two parts olive oil and one-part lemon juice.
- Get rid of paint odors: Place open dishes filled with vinegar around the room to absorb the smell. As the vinegar evaporates, so will the odors, leaving your room smelling fresh and clean.
- Clean soot and smoke stains from your fireplace: Mix equal parts cream of tartar and water, rub on the surface, let the mixture dry, and wipe off.
- Wash your hardwood floors: Mix one-quarter cup distilled white vinegar with one gallon of warm water to create your own floor cleaner.