Eco-Friendly Cleaning in 10 Easy Steps
A clean home is both a pleasure to live in and essential for healthy living. Maintaining a regular cleaning routine keeps dirt under control and moulds and allergy-producing substances in check. Cleaning little but often is the key – if you catch dust and spills before they turn to grime, you won’t need harsh chemical cleaners.
- Stop the dirt before it comes inside. Place good-quality dirt-absorbing mats at all entrances to the home. Your carpets will stay cleaner and last longer.
- Initiate a shoe-free policy in the household to avoid the problem of tracking in oil and dirt from outside. Provide a shoe rack at the door and a chair nearby, to encourage people to oblige.
- Try to tidy up as you go. If you haven’t the time, clear up small messes as they occur and you won’t have a big job to deal with at the end of the day.
- Instead of reaching for the strongest chemical cleaner first, look for environmentally responsible cleaning alternatives. Mostly, they will work just as well.
- Act fast on spills and stains. You’ll not only find your cleaning is more effective, you’ll also need fewer chemicals to do the job.
- Give cleaners time to work and you’ll find you need less of them. Leave mould and oven cleaners to work overnight, for example.
- See how little you can get away with. Use less when applying household cleaners, whether they’re commercial brands or more natural alternatives. You may find a wipe with a damp cloth is all you need.
- Use elbow grease. Brushes, scourers and cloths are the first line of defence against dirt and reduce the need for harsh, fast-acting chemicals.
- Use recycled materials to clean kitchen and bathroom surfaces. Old cotton T-shirts and towels are perfect. They’re economical and longer-lasting than disposable wipes and paper towels.
- Work out a minimum cleaning routine to keep your home functioning efficiently. That way, even if you’re extra busy, at least you know you’ve covered the basics each week.
The article goes on to give more information on vacuum cleaners, cloths and beating the dirt before it even gets in to the house! Some great ideas... thanks Readers' Digest.
