Is Your Cleaning Routine Green?

Are you green when you clean? This is a question that everyone should be asking themselves! Many of the cleaning products we use are full of harmful chemicals that you don't want your family to be exposed to. Our war on dirt has made our homes unsafe for bacteria, the environment and ourselves. Thankfully, you have alternative options to the name brand cleaning products that destroy everything they touch. Today, we will take a look at some of the natural and green methods that you can use to keep your house clean.



5 Products You Need in Your Cupboards

Alright, you have ditched the harsh cleaning chemicals, but now what do you do? The first step is to stock your cupboards with a variety of cleaning products that are both green and safe. Below is a list of five great products to start with.

• Baking Soda – Baking soda not only gets rid of bad odors but also makes for a great scrubbing powder.
• Club Soda – Many of you already know that club soda makes for a good stain remover, but did you know it can also be used as a polisher?
• Hydrogen Peroxide – As a great alternative to bleach, hydrogen peroxide (3 percent concentrated) is nontoxic and works as a disinfectant and stain remover.
• Lemon Juice – Another alternative to bleach, lemon juice not only smells great but also removes stains and cuts right through grease.
• White Vinegar – This works as an antifungal agent, but it also kills bacteria and germs.

While there other natural products make great safe cleaning agents as well, these are five that are perfect to start with. These products are not only green; most of them are also more affordable than buying their harsh, chemical counterparts.

Air Fresheners Without the High Price and Toxic Chemicals

Many of the air fresheners you buy from the store include a lot of harmful ingredients that you don't want your family breathing. Thankfully, there are some cheaper alternatives. Try boiling cloves, cinnamon or other herbs you like to smell. Once boiled, their natural aroma fills your home with a pleasant and safe smell. However, the greenest option may be to bring fresh flowers into your home. Plants naturally filter your indoor air and provide a wonderful, fresh smell. There is no right or wrong plant to choose for the job, so have fun with it!

Keep Your Shoes at the Door

One of the best cleaning tips is to prevent the dirt from coming into your house in the first place. With that in mind, think of where your shoes have been throughout the day. You've lively stepped in animal waste, pollen, oil and other harmful chemicals. Worst of all, you're just tracking it all in when you wear your shoes into the house. This is dangerous for animals, small children or anyone else who spends time on your floor. Try adopting a new shoes policy. Get your family and friends to leave their shoes at the door. In the end, this limits the time and energy you have to put into vacuuming, sweeping and mopping.

Using these tips, you can keep your home clean without using harsh chemicals. If you still prefer to buy cleaning products from the store, look for cleaning agents that bear the USDA organic seal. Also, avoid detergents that contain phosphate and products that are petroleum-based. These types of products are NOT eco-friendly. Just because you want to do your part for your family and the planet doesn't mean you can't keep your home clean!

Bio -

This guest post was contributed by Maids by Trade, a Tucson house cleaning company that is also offering maid services in Marana as well as house cleaning in Palo Verde.