Five Ways To Be Clean (and Green!)
Cleaning your home is a necessity in life. What is not a necessity, however, are the harmful toxins and chemicals that end up in the environment from standard cleaning products. While you may think that it is easier to buy window cleaner at the supermarket, you likely have a lot of the all-natural products you need to clean already in your pantry, and you will be doing the environment a great service by being a little greener in your cleaning routine.
1. Opt for the concentrated laundry detergents - Even though the concentrated detergent may be more expensive, CBS News explains that the non-concentrated varieties are simply watered down. Extra green points go to those who get the specially marked eco-friendly detergent.
2. Make your own window cleaner - Help the environment, save money and make those windows really sparkle by ditching the commercial window cleaner and making your own instead. All you have to do is mix water, lemon juice and vinegar. The Daily Green suggests wiping windows with newspapers instead of paper towels to reduce streaking.
3. Freshen the air without air fresheners - Many air fresheners are made with harmful chemicals. Instead of using these products, considering grabbing the trusty can of baking soda. Sprinkle it on your carpet or in your fridge and eliminate odors the environmentally friendly way. For more fragrant air freshening, Treehuger.com suggests boiling a pot of cinnamon sticks or cloves.
4. Fight tough stains with gentle products - Thought hydrogen peroxide was only for cleaning cuts? It can also be used to remove stains on clothing, carpet and furniture. It's a powerful cleaning agent but is gentle on Mother Nature.
5. Forget using toothpaste only for teeth - Tooth paste is another powerful, yet gentle cleaning product. According to the Daily Green it can be used for polishing tarnished silver.
