Urban Blog

Cleaning chemicals have become so ubiquitous and so woven into the “how we do things” of life that many people fail to realize just how much and how often they are used. Many of these chemicals are dangerous to human health and harmful to the environment. Unfortunately, they make their way into our water supply where they can harm wildlife and aquatic life.

Most household cleaners are too powerful for the needs of the average home. That means you can use few chemicals and still get things sparklingly clean. In this article, we will take a look at seven ways you can reduce the number of chemicals you use for cleaning your home. The bad news is that most common cleaning products are dangerous. But the good news is that there are easy alternatives that are safer and better for all concerned.

Step One-Inventory

When you stop to take inventory of the number of chemical based cleaning products in your home you may be surprised. You may also notice that you don’t really need many of the products in question or need the power that they provide. Does your home really need “industrial strength cleaning?” The odds are pretty good that even at your worst you are not that dirty!

Once you know what chemical based cleaners you have in your home and why you are using them, you’ll be able to formulate a plan. Removing chemical based cleaners from your home all begins by knowing where they are and what you have. Don’t forget to check your garage, basement and other spots that you might overlook.

Step Two-Make the Commitment to “Go Green”

Once you’ve eliminated harmful chemical cleaners, don’t go back. You might have to invest a little time to find the right cleaner for a given purpose. But remember this key fact: people were effectively cleaning their homes long before the age of chemical manufacturers.

Step Three-Soap is Your Friend

Eco-friendly soap, such as liquid soap, is your friend. Good old-fashioned soap and water is still the number one way to clean a range of household surfaces and products. Keep in mind that our collective notion that we need “specialized” products to clean everything from our hair to our toilet is largely the result of a massive, multi-generational, multi-billion dollar marketing blitz that continues to this day!

Step Four-Lemons and Oranges

Whether you are looking to clean your countertops, stovetop, bathroom shower, sink or toilet, a little lemon or orange juice and water can go a very long way. The power of lemon and orange juice shouldn’t be overlooked; after all, companies are making green products designed to take advantage of the cleaning power of lemons and oranges. However, making your own out of lemons and oranges isn’t just cheaper but it is also much more eco-friendly. Imagine all the energy that you are saving by taking this do-it-yourself approach! Simply mix the right amounts of lemon juice or orange juice into water for an effective cleaner.

Step Five-The Big Guns

Sometimes you may feel that lemon juice or orange juice isn’t enough for tough cleaning jobs; this is where vinegar comes in. Simple vinegar is cheap and is a very effective cleaner. If you want your shower floor or toilet to be clean, then vinegar can do the job. Just give it a chance. Vinegar will also help fight mildew as well.

 
Step Six-Skip the Dry Cleaning

One of the most important tips on this list is to skip dry cleaning. Dry cleaning chemicals are extremely dangerous and should be avoided. The chemicals used have been linked to health problems and potentially even cancer. If you have clothing that must be dry-cleaned you can opt for a “green dry cleaning” service, but these services are usually not as people friendly as one would hope. In general, the best option is to phase out your clothing that needs dry cleaning.

Step Seven-The Laundry Room

Getting clothes clean means using a lot of soap on an annual basis. For this reason, it is important to skip the chemical soaps, which may contain agents harmful to humans, the water and wildlife alike, and opt for healthy detergents. Dye-free detergents made from healthy ingredients are a good place to start.

It is also important to eliminate dry sheets and dry products, as these products are expensive, contain harmful compounds and pollute the air. A very green drying option is to hang clothing to air dry. This option may not always be a practical one for all kinds of clothing but simply implementing this change with a percentage of your clothing will help lower your carbon footprint and help you save on your energy bill.

The facts are that the simplest of ingredients can be remarkably effective when it comes to cleaning. The idea that you have to opt for an expensive way to clean everything in your home whether it is your toilet, your kitchen sink, your floors or even your hair is a false idea sold by marketers. The cleaning products that contain chemicals are bad for everyone involved as they harm the planet, may damage human health, harm wildlife and serve to lower your indoor air quality. If you’ve ever noticed that your lungs burned or you coughed when using many cleaners, you are not alone. It is not a coincidence. The world of chemical cleaners can be a dangerous one. You are doing everyone a favor by opting for greener, safer and planet friendly options.