Green Cleaning

Written By Admin
Dated: May 30, 2007

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Green Cleaning

Most of us buy all of our cleaning products from the supermarkets putting numerous different items in our trolleys. But how many of us realise what is actually in these products? Things such as surfactants, phosphates, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, sulphuric acid, chlorine bleach and many more. Any cleaning product will have some impact on the environment, but many commonly used household cleaning items contain toxic substances.

One way of reducing the number of unhealthy chemicals and irritants we are exposed to, is to make our own cleaning kit, with just a few simple items:

Bicarbonate of Soda (Baking soda)
Lemons
White vinegar (organic if possible) together with a few drops of lavender oil or similar, to give it a nice smell
Some natural brushes and cleaning cloths

Bicarbonate of Soda neutralizes acid-based odours in water and absorbs odours from the air as it is slightly alkaline. It can be used as a non-abrasive cleaner on kitchen worktops, sinks, baths, shower trays and ovens. It can also neutralize the smell of many chemicals if added to your laundry and can be used as an air freshener or for deodorizing carpets and furniture.

Lemon juice and White Vinegar are both acidic. They neutralize alkaline substances so are useful in getting rid of scale produced in hard water areas. Acids will dissolve the build up of gunk, eat away tarnish and remove dirt from wooden surfaces. If you place a cloth which has been soaked in white vinegar and lemon over your taps overnight, they should look much cleaner in the morning.

Disinfectants and mould killers

Many essential oils are excellent antiseptics. Try using lavender, clove or grapefruit seed extract. Tea tree oil is a brilliant natural fungicide. Just use one teaspoon of essential oil to two cups of water and use in spray bottle.

Cleaning the Oven and Hob

Use a few tablespoons of vinegar mixed with a cup of salt and a cup of bicarbonate of soda. Once mixed together use the paste to clean the inside of your oven.

For the hob, mix together a paste of bicarbonate of soda, lemon juice, warm water and some vinegar. Once the grease is gone wipe it down with a water and vinegar solution, then buff with a dry cloth until it is sparkling.

Mirrors can be wiped clean with just water and a good cleaning cloth. If they are left with smears mix up a dilute solution of 8 parts water to one part white vinegar with a few drops of lavender oil and wipe over to get rid of any smears.

Floors can be cleaned by mixing some bicarbonate of soda in a bucket of warm water and a bit of elbow grease. It may take a bit longer than using other products but it will give you a good workout!

Finally, when washing clothes try using eco-friendly washing detergents or even better use Eco balls or soap nuts.