Let’s face it, typical cleaning tools may work, but because of their harsh chemicals, needless plastic packaging, and tendency to harm surfaces in your rental, they pose a triple threat to the environment and your security deposit. Fortunately, there’s a better way to maintain your home’s cleanliness without sacrificing your green principles or risking losing your deposit.
Why Use Green Cleaning Techniques?
Conventional cleaning products contain harsh chemicals like bleach, ammonia, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can deteriorate indoor air quality. This condition is particularly troublesome in smaller apartments or shared living areas where ventilation may be limited.
These chemicals don’t just disappear after use; they end up in our rivers, where they pollute the water and perhaps jeopardize aquatic ecosystems.
These powerful cleansers can damage surfaces on your property, like etching bathroom tiles, discoloring worktops, or destroying hardwood floor finishes, in addition to their detrimental impact on the environment. This is especially important if you’re renting and want your security deposit back in full!
Make Simple Adjustments for a Cleaner Home
Multipurpose Cleaner Instead of chemical-filled spray cleansers in plastic bottles Try: Add a few drops of essential oil for fragrance to a white vinegar and water solution (1:1) in a reusable glass spray container. For more challenging jobs, throw in a spoonful of dish soap. This multifunctional solution looks fantastic on various surfaces, such as countertops and sinks. However, avoid using it on granite, marble, or other natural stones due to its acidity.
Strong bleach-based bathroom cleaners are a viable alternative to this method. To clean bathtubs and tiles, consider using baking soda paste, a mixture of baking soda and water. To clean the toilet, put baking soda in the bowl, add a little vinegar for a pleasant fizz, and scrub as normal. These natural alternatives effectively remove soap scum and mineral deposits without the hazardous odors or residue.
A floor cleaner is an alternative to chemical floor cleaners. Try: For most durable flooring, a simple solution of hot water and a few drops of Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Liquid Soap works well. For wood floors, you can use a pail of water with a quarter cup of white vinegar instead of soap, but be careful to wring your mop well because too much water might damage the wood.
An alternative to vinegar or alcohol-based products is window and glass cleaner. Try: For a streak-free shine, use a spray bottle filled with equal parts white vinegar and water, and then wipe with a newspaper or microfiber cloth.
Instruments That Have an Effect
Just as crucial as the cleaning supplies you employ is the equipment you utilize:
- Invest in high-quality MR.SIGA Microfiber Cleaning Cloths that can be machine washed and reused for hundreds of times.
- Analyze Swedish dishtowels as a sustainable alternative to paper towels.
- Try using Ecotiva Bamboo Scrub Brushes instead of plastic ones.
- Make use of a refillable spray mop in place of disposable pads.
A Roommate-Friendly Approach
Do you and someone else share a room? Assemble a cleaning station with obvious labels, your prepared solutions, and a brief guide explaining the appropriate usage for each mixture. Getting everyone on board with eco-friendly cleaning not only divides the effort but also boosts the environmental impact.
Remember that responsible resource usage is just as crucial to sustainable cleaning as the products you use. Clean often to prevent accumulation that necessitates more forceful treatment, pre-treat stains as soon as possible before they set, and embrace the notion that sometimes less is more.
When you have these natural cleaning solutions in your toolbox, you can relax knowing that you’re protecting your health, your money, and the environment while also keeping your home looking great.
