Our kitchens, bathrooms, and pantries are filled with cleaning products but some of them may actually make our battle against dirt, spots, and germs harmful to our health. Conventional cleaning products tend to be petroleum-based, making them harmful to the environment and our bodies. There are ways to clean that achieve the desired result without being toxic.
Step 1: Use environmentally friendly cleaning products. These are made from renewable resources and are also biodegradable and non-toxic. Grocery and discount store shelves are quickly becoming stocked with these items. Green cleaning products can be found at reasonable prices but if the budget is very tight, consider a homemade cleaning solution. Mix warm water with either baking soda or vinegar to create an all-purpose cleaner for the home.
Step 2: Open the windows. The air quality inside a home is often poorer than outside. Opening windows to allow toxins and germs to flow out helps improve indoor air quality. Do this when cleaning the home so the dust and dirt that becomes airborne will flow outside.
Step 3: Antibacterial is not the way. Some people use antibacterial hand cleaners and soaps as well as antimicrobial cleaners thinking they are preventing bacteria and germs from flourishing. Studies have shown that these products do not clean the hands better than soap and water. They can also breed bacteria that are able to survive and produce offspring resistant to the chemicals.
Step 4: Naturally freshen the air. Rather than using commercial air fresheners and regular candles, go natural. Boil herbs and spices like cloves and cinnamon to make the home smell nice. Use soy-based candles rather than regular candles that pollute the air. Soy candles are clean burning and spills clean up easily with soap and water. Though some broad-leafed green plants may not make the air smell better, they clean the air, so purchase some for different rooms in the home.
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