(Photo: Johan, Wikipedia)
By now you may have heard the hazards of extreme cleaners
that perform anti-bacterial overkill and the toxic
potential of synthetic chemicals such as ammonia and chlorine.
You do have a
choice when it comes to how you clean your house, and there are a number of
green-friendly brands on the market.
I’ve personally tried and tested quite a few of them,
looking for ease of use and affordable price. I really do hate to clean, so
anything that makes it easier, faster, cheaper, and better for the planet is a
win.
Here are some of my favorite options:
Do the earth-friendly
laundry
Everyone wants clean, soft, fresh-smelling clothes and
linens, which may be why eco-friendly laundry detergents have felt they can get
away with charging more to do the right thing. I found Ecos Laundry Detergent by Earth
Friendly Products to be a good detergent at a good price.
I tried several other brands from Seventh Generation to Trader
Joe’s, and Ethos works just as well without charging more. It smells good (with
three scents to choose from), it only takes a couple of ounces to clean a full
load, and it includes a coconut-based fabric softener. I was also happy to find
it in my local grocery store so I didn’t have to make trip to a specialty
boutique.
Search
for more eco-laundry detergents.
Find
an eco-friendly dry cleaner.
Wipe up the greens
There’s nothing like a quick wipe-down to make a place feel
clean. Save on paper towels with pre-moistened biodegradable wipes. In my
personal test, Clorox
Green Works Natural Cleaning Wipes beat out Method’s Flushable
Bathroom Cleaner Wipes, which tended to fall apart while wiping. These are
great for toilet sets and bathtub basins.
Countertops that need a little extra help get the natural
treatment with Seventh
Generation All Purpose Cleaner. I found that this plant-based, nontoxic
cleaner is great for removing counter stains. Spray a bit directly on the spot
and let set for a few minutes.
For simple dusting and cleaning mirrors, I’ve become a big
fan of microfiber towels. These handy little reusable cloths don’t even require
a liquid cleaning product to get the job done — just get one cloth damp with
water to wipe away dirt and dust, and then use a dry one to wipe clean.
The
micro fibers really pick up, and even mirrors and faucets come clean without
streaking. When you’re done, toss them in the laundry to wash and use again.
Search
for more eco-friendly cleaning wipes.
Scrub the nontoxic floors
While you can use Seventh Generation All Purpose Cleaner to
do a quick mop on tiled floors (not wood), I also like Method’s Squirt + Mop Floor
Cleaner in lemon ginger. This nontoxic, biodegradable cleaner contains a
hint of baking soda to mop kitchen tiles. It dries fast and leaves no residue.
Method also makes a similar product for hard wood floors. The
company’s products for “People Against Dirty” have a huge following for being affordable,
having nice-looking and eco-friendly packaging, and being easy to find at big
chain stores including Target and Bed Bath and Beyond.
Search
for more eco-friendly floor cleaners.
Make your own
cleaners (and save money)
Pretty much everything in your house can be cleaned with a
few simple natural ingredients picked up at your next trip to the grocery
store.
A big $2 jug of white vinegar will go a long way when all you have to do
is mix it 50/50 with water in a spray bottle and make an all-purpose cleaner
that also helps disinfect. A few drops of
orange natural essence, (available at natural food stores such as Whole Foods) will
help temper the vinegar smell.
Scrubbing with a little lemon juice and baking soda will
remove stains from countertops and inside kitchen sinks. And try olive oil or
flaxseed oil to polish wood furniture.
Get
tips for removing stains with natural ingredients.
Search
for more homemade cleaning recipes.
Hire green cleaning help
No time or energy to clean? Delegate! Eco-friendly maid services are
starting to boom with demand. Most come armed with a host of eco-friendly
products; others have their own brands they use exclusively.
Let them do all the wiping and scrubbing while you sit back
and enjoy a clean, fresh-smelling home that doesn’t leave any harmful
afterthoughts. If you can’t find a green maid in your area, hire a regular one
and insist they use the eco-friendly products you provide for them.
Search
for eco-friendly maid services.
Search
for eco-friendly furniture upholstery and carpet cleaners.
A clean home shouldn’t be a toxic hazard for you, your
children, your pets, or the planet. With a host of products on the market or
some easy (and penny-conscious) DIY recipes, there’s no reason to pick up a
chemical cleaner again.