Why “Green” Clean

Many chemicals in the cleaning products used each day can harm you and your children. Indoor air carries a higher risk for personal exposure to toxic chemicals than outdoor air. Many of the chemicals in household cleaners and pesticides are not adequately tested, regulated or controlled. An estimated 2 to 5 Million exposures to household poisons occur every year, and a significant number of them involve household cleaners.

Many household cleaning products, such as furniture polish, oven cleaners, drain cleaners and even air fresheners are classed as hazardous waste. Almost all commercially available floor and furniture waxes contain neurotoxic petroleum-based solvents. Neurotoxic chemical can cause headaches, lack of concentration,irritability and more, and are best avoided and substitutes used, such as Eco Friendly Products.

Eco Friendly Cleaning Tips

Below are just a few tips and ideas for cleaning your home in an Eco friendly and safe manner. The main natural products are white vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice and salt.

Kitchen:

• Cooking Odours -To freshen the air in the kitchen try placing lemon slices in an open bowl in the kitchen or put a few slices of leftover orange or lemon rinds in a pot of water and simmer for 1-2 hours.
• Dishes – When you don’t have time to wash the dishes straight away, sprinkle them with salt to prevent any food from sticking. This will also make it easier to wash them. To cut grease when washing greasy pans or dishes, add a few tablespoons of vinegar to your soapy dishwater.
• Kitchen Floor:  To remove scuff marks or grease spills from the floor, sprinkle with baking soda and then wipe with a warm, damp cloth. This is even safe for no-wax floors.

Bathroom:

• Glass and Mirrors – Mix 1-2 tablespoons of white vinegar with 1.2 ltrs/2pints of water in a spray bottle. To remove oily fingerprints and hairspray from the mirror, dab on a little rubbing alcohol and wipe with a linen rag.
• Hard water spots – Soak a sponge in full strength vinegar, wipe, let stand for five minutes then rinse with clean water. Full-strength lemon juice works just as well.
• Limescale deposit – Heat a small container of white distilled vinegar to boiling point, The pour over your fixtures that had deposits of limescale. This will release or remove the deposit.
• Porcelain Rub with cream of tartar sprinkled on a damp cloth.
• Toilet – Use 1 part baking soda to 4 parts vinegar. Sprinkle baking soda into the bowl, then squirt with vinegar. Let it sit 15-30 minutes before scrubbing and flushing through. Cleans and deodorizes.

Laundry:

• Use the washing machine only when you have a full load and whenever possible wash at a maximum of 40degrees as this will use up to a third less electricity.
• Whenever possible, dry clothes outside as this will also cut electricity usage.
• Adding white vinegar to your wash helps keep colours bright, helps to restore faded colours, and removes dirt and grime. Vinegar also balances the pH which will extend the life of your fabrics. The smell of vinegar dissipates upon drying and leaves the laundry smelling fresh.

General Household:

• Carpets – Remove odours and restore the colour of carpets by sprinkling salt onto your rug or carpet, leaving it to sit for 15-30 minutes and then vacuum.
• Dusting – When dusting the whole house, try just a damp rag.
• Floors – Try a few drops of vinegar in the cleaning water to remove soap traces. For vinyl or linoleum, add a capful of baby oil to the water to preserve and polish.
• Stainless steel – Rub with a paste of baking soda and water. Rub olive oil onto stainless steel surfaces to remove streaks and prints.
• Gold – Clean with toothpaste.