For years, cleaning products laced with chemical concoctions have been used to clean our homes, our cars, and our workplaces. Typically, those cleaning products have been petroleum-based, and as such, can have detrimental effects on the environment as well as our own health. If you’re looking to live a more ecologically friendly lifestyle, there are plenty of cleaning products and processes that you can utilize to ease the pressure on Mother Nature.
Breathe easier
Emissions from cars, trucks, factories, and elsewhere all contribute to poor outdoor air quality, but did you know that the air you breathe indoors can be up to 10 times worse? That’s because microbial contaminants like mold, pet dander, and plant pollen can combine with chemicals like radon to create a toxic environment inside homes and workplaces. One simple way to improve indoor air quality is to keep windows open as much as possible to let fresh air flow in and toxins flow out. Keeping windows open while cleaning is particularly important.
If you detect odours indoors, baking soda is at your service. Not only does an open box of baking soda in the fridge absorb odours, it can also freshen a funky carpet. Sprinkle on some baking soda to suck up the smell and then vacuum it up.
When you want a room to smell extra nice, skip the faux-flower aerosol sprays and try boiling cinnamon, cloves, or other spices. And while indoor plants provide a tiny bit of fragrance, their true value lies in their ability to filter the air – plants with broad green leaves work best.
Go for green cleaning products
More companies are vying for a spot under your sink by marketing their cleaning products as environmentally friendly. To really qualify as environmentally friendly, cleaning products should be non-toxic, biodegradable, and made from renewable resources rather than petroleum. If you really want to ensure your cleaning solution is eco-friendly, you can make your own all-purpose cleaners. Pour some baking soda and vinegar on a damp sponge to clean and deodorize your bathroom and kitchen surfaces, and mix vinegar and salt to clean other household surfaces.
Replace responsibly
So you’ve decided to swap your old chemical-based cleaning products in exchange for some green ones. Great! But as part of your new found environmental stewardship, you’ll need to dispose of your old cleaning products properly. Pouring petroleum-based cleaning products down the drain or tossing them in the trash can contaminate soil and water. Contact your local municipality to see if it has a safe disposal site or collection day.
If you’re introducing more ecologically friendly products into your cleaning regimen, you’ll be doing a service to your environment, and even to your possessions. Over time, chemical-based cleaning products can damage furniture and other household surfaces, so cleaning with the environment in mind can even prolong the life of several items around your home.
Whether it’s an all-natural homemade mixture or a store-bought eco-friendly cleaning product, there are plenty of options out there to make cleaning your living spaces a green process
