Modern chemical-based cleaning agents have their major disadvantages. Not only are they costly to use, but they can also pose a risk to your health. Careless disposal of these cleaning agents can also prove to be harmful to the environment. Fortunately, there are a number of eco-friendly cleaning options available to keep your whole house clean.
Cleaning of bare surfaces and floors
The ideal natural cleaning option for most bare surfaces and floors is a vinegar and water solution. All you need is a mop and 1 liter of warm water mixed with half a cup of vinegar and you are ready to start spring cleaning. This cleaning option will help remove stains from linoleum, vinyl, ceramic tile, and hardwood floors.
However, avoid using vinegar on stone surfaces such as marble, limestone, and granite. It can be too acidic for these materials and cause damage.
If your wood floor looks a little dull after mopping it, you can shine it with steep black tea. You must be especially careful not to saturate floors with a surface finish with your solution of water and vinegar. A light touch is all it takes to remove any accumulated grease and make your floor sparkle. Otherwise the floor shine will be lost due to possible water damage.
Clean the inside
Most people forget that a lot of the time and effort devoted to daily cleaning is only a fraction of the entire home. The infrastructure of your house has an inner workings that go completely unnoticed all year round. For example, cooling and heating air ducts are hot spots for the accumulation of dirt and grime.
A sure sign of mold, dirt, and dust accumulation is the presence of a musty odor in the sewer system. At this stage, it is advisable to clean your ducts to avoid the negative effects of inhaling unclean air in your home. You can easily clean your ducts with a brush or a handheld vacuum cleaner.
Cleaning of metalwork
Metal polishes such as copper, brass, chrome and stainless steel often tarnish if they are exposed to the air for a long time. Before preparing to use harsh chemical cleaners, it’s a good idea to try natural methods first. A mixture of salt, lemon juice, and cornstarch is all you need to get started.
By making a paste of equal amounts of these three household products, you can bring dull brass and copper antiques back to their former glory. You should:
- Apply the homemade paste to a tarnished metal surface with a soft cloth.
- Carefully buff the surface.
- Wipe off any traces of the paste with warm water and mild soap.
To clean aluminum pots, bring a pot of water with 2 tablespoons of tartar and 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar per liter of water to a boil. Cook everything together for 10 minutes, then pour out and let cool. Finally rinse with detergent.
Cleaning clothes
Baking soda can be a great addition to the laundry room alongside any other room in the house. The addition of sodium bicarbonate is used to remove unpleasant odors, soften your clothes and lighten the colors.
In order to reduce the energy consumption of your house and save costs, if possible you can do without the dryer in favor of a linen dryer. The heat can also alter the quality of your fabric, increasing the rate at which the color will shrink and fade.
Clean mirrors and glasses
With ½ cup of white vinegar in ½ cup of water, you can avoid the use of ammonia-containing glass and window cleaners. Using rubbing alcohol can be just as effective. An age-old window cleaning tip is to use newspapers, an eco-friendly idea that will reduce the use of paper towels and recycle a paper product that you may already have on hand. Lint-free cloths are also an excellent cleaning alternative.
These cleaning options for your floor, interior, metalwork, furniture, and glasses are not only environmentally friendly, but also better for you. In this way you can make your contribution to the preservation of the ecosystem and at the same time effectively carry out spring cleaning.
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