If you want to keep a clean home or workplace then you are going to need a hefty stash of deep cleaning products, as there is almost a different product for every task. There are cleaning products for toilets, sinks, floors, windows, furniture, carpets and pretty much every other surface in your house. So, how do you try and reduce your chemical footprint, whilst trying to keep your home clean?
As customers become more aware, and conscious, of the impact their behaviour has on the environment, they are demanding more transparency from deep cleaning brands and companies. As a result of this more brands are making an effort to ‘greenify’ their products and you will often see many products on the market that are eco friendly, naturally derived, and packaged in biodegradable containers. However, you do not have to splurge on these ‘eco friendly’ deep cleaning products, in order to be a conscious cleaner. There are many natural solutions to your cleaning needs.
Eco Friendly Cleaning Tips
You may be surprised to find out the everyday ingredients that live inside your kitchen cupboards can often be used for deep cleaning. Below are some combinations for you to try.
Scented, all purpose cleaner: One part whtie vinegar, one part water, lemon rind and rosemary sprigs. You should combine all the ingredients, put them in a spray bottle and then let them infuse for a week before use. This solution can be used to remove hard water stains, clean dustbins, wipe away pesky wall smudges and general other deep cleaning tasks.
Glass cleaner: 2 cups of water, half a cup of cider vinegar, quarter of a cup of rubbing alcohol and a couple of drops of orange essential oil. Put all these ingredients in a spray bottle and you can use them to clean your windows. But remember a top tip, don’t clean your windows on a hot sunny day because the liquid will dry too quickly and leave streaks.
Natural marble cleaner: 2 drops of mild dishwashing liquid and 2 cups of warm water. Mix the dishwashing detergent with the water the next time you want to clean your natural stone countertops. Sponge the solution over marble and rinse it off to remove the residue. Then, buff it with a soft cloth, do not let it air dry. Top tip: never use acidic solutions such as lemon or vinegar on your marble or granite, as they will damage the stone.
Never combine ammonia based cleaners with chlorine bleach or products containing bleach, such as dishwasher detergent. Doing so could create fumes that are extremely dangerous. Before doing any mixing read the product labels. Also, you should always clearly label any bottles of DIY cleaner with what ingredients are inside, and keep them out of reach of children or animals.