Most cleaning products contain nasty chemicals that are bad for the environment. There are also hidden toxins in these products that could damage your health over time.
With very little effort you can make your own cleaning products and help preserve your health and the environment. The great news is that DIY cleaning products are easy to make and cost very little. You probably have the raw ingredients lying around in your kitchen.
All the tips below come from professional London cleaners at TidyChoice. These are tried and trusted techniques.
1: The Microwave
Ahh the precious microwave! Always there when we want to enjoy the leftovers from last night’s dinner!
Alas, the microwave can become one of the dirtiest appliances in our kitchens. Its frequent use can result in splashed food and grease accumulating on internal surfaces. They are tough and awkward to clean.
Here’s one way to be rid of a dirty microwave without turning to harsh chemicals. Fill a small cup halfway with vinegar and then squeeze the juice of half a lemon. Place the cup inside and microwave for 2 minutes.
Leave the cup inside for an additional minute to allow steam to build up and loosen all the grease. Then take a damp cloth or rag and wipe down the surfaces, removing any food with such ease!
2: The Toilet Seat
Cleaning toilets is not a pleasant task, but you can get your toilet seats squeaky clean with this easy and sustainable hack.
Into a spray bottle, add vinegar and tea tree oil. We’d recommend around 10 drops. Spray the solution onto the toilet seat and let sit for a few minutes. Wipe with a cloth and expect to see your reflection in the now polished toilet seat!
Tea tree oil is known for its anti-septic and anti-bacterial qualities making it a perfect and more natural substitute for store-bought cleaning chemicals. However, a word of caution, The National Capital Poison Center, warns that tea tree oil is poisonous if swallowed and should not be used in proximity to the mouth.
In addition, make sure as well not to forget about cleaning you septic system. You may schedule an appointment with professional septic services to provide residential plumbing services like septic tank pumping and cleaning.
3: The Oven
People say the kitchen is the heart of the home, and we say the oven is the heart of the kitchen. Therefore, it is very important that the oven is kept clean at all times. Whether you’re an avid cake baker, a parent to 6 kids who all need feeding or just constantly practicing (and failing) to make chicken casserole, with regular use, the oven will get messy. But don’t worry!
Take some baking soda and mix it with warm water until it forms a paste like consistency. Gently, rub the paste along the floor and walls of the oven and leave to sit for a few minutes while the oven is off. Take a cloth and scrape down the oven removing the baking soda and water paste as well as any grease or mess. And, voila, the oven is now ready to go for another chicken casserole test run!
4: Windows, Glass and Mirrors
We have all experienced the disappointment when we’re dressed nicely and want to take a mirror selfie, but… the mirror is filthy!
Glass and similar surfaces are very simple to clean and do not require the need of expensive and elaborate chemical-based products. Pour one-part white vinegar to four parts water into a spray bottle and shake to mix the ingredients. Spray the solution over your mirrors, windows or any other surfaces and wipe down with a cloth to make them shiny as if they were brand new.
5: All-Purpose Cleaner
This generic all-purpose cleaner can be used on majority of surfaces and hard to clean filth.
To make this, mix equal parts vinegar and water into a spray bottle and use when needed to tackle those difficult stains. If you’re using this on marble or granite surfaces, substitute the vinegar for rubbing alcohol as these surfaces can be damaged by the acidity of the vinegar.
This solution is, not only easy and quick to put together, but also better for both your home, your health and the environment. Avoid unnecessary plastic packaging that store-bought cleaning products come in. Unilever state that only 9% of global plastic is properly recycled and this is harming our planet significantly.
With this alternative, you can help the environment and still keep your home looking spotless.
In addition to its cleaning effectiveness and eco-friendly nature, this homemade all-purpose cleaner offers an added benefit for homes with septic tank systems in the kitchen. A blog from AlligatorSeptic talks about how many commercial cleaners can contain harsh chemicals detrimental to septic systems, this natural vinegar or rubbing alcohol-based solution poses no threat to the delicate balance of beneficial bacteria in your septic tank. By choosing this alternative cleaner, you not only maintain a clean and healthy living space but also contribute to the longevity and optimal functioning of your septic system, promoting a sustainable and responsible household environment
Conclusion
Studies have shown that exposure to the harmful chemicals in store-bought cleaning products can have negative impacts on our health and the environment.
Yet, substituting these products with natural and sustainable alternatives has never been easier! Just by using common items that most households stock, you can have your home looking the cleanest in no time.
