{"id":14270,"date":"2012-03-19T08:23:54","date_gmt":"2012-03-19T14:23:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.sustainablog.org\/?p=14270"},"modified":"2017-08-02T18:19:51","modified_gmt":"2017-08-02T22:19:51","slug":"green-spring-cleaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sustainablog.org\/articles\/green-spring-cleaning\/","title":{"rendered":"Lean, Mean and Green Spring Cleaning"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Green<\/a><\/p>\n

Everyone knows how dangerous chemical cleaning solutions are, but avoiding them is easier said than done. After all, they’re what we have always used, and you can\u2019t deny their effectiveness. The world is changing though, and everything is becoming more eco-friendly, from toilet bowl cleaners<\/a> to ways to treat bed bugs in NJ<\/a>. Make Spring Cleaning 2012 more eco-friendly with these sustainable cleaning choices<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Inexpensive, Green Alternatives<\/h3>\n

The first thing you need to do is get rid of the bleach and use enzyme and vegetable-based cleaners. Murphy Oil Soap is vegetable-based and works on the most sensitive of materials.<\/p>\n

Create your own floor cleaner by adding about a teaspoon of a pure essential oil (sweet orange, lemon, pine, eucalyptus or lavender) with five ounces of liquid soap (veggie-oil based) to two gallons of water.<\/p>\n

Disposable is out and reusable is in<\/h3>\n

A reusable mop may not be as convenient as a single-use variety, but it\u2019s much greener and costs less. Many mop heads can be tossed directly into the washing machine.<\/p>\n

Enzyme cleaners work great on carpet stains, as they penetrate the stain and break it down without the use of chemicals. They also work great on windows and other glass surfaces. Most importantly, they are more natural than most other cleaning products.<\/p>\n

For other surfaces, like a kitchen countertop, a wet sponge and baking soda can do wonders. For set-in stains, make a paste with this mixture and allow it to set for twenty minutes. Need a little abrasion without having to use elbow grease? Just add in a bit of salt (Kosher, of course). This is a great solution for tile and porcelain stains. However, if grease streaks or mildew are present, use a vinegar and lemon juice mixture and scrub it with a brush after a few minutes.<\/p>\n

Green Fresheners<\/h3>\n

How important is freshness? Well, think about it; what impression do you get if you walk into someone\u2019s home and you are hit in the face with a foul odor? Let\u2019s face it; no matter how tidy you keep your house, if you\u2019ve got odors running rampant then you won\u2019t be getting many visitors. The first steps to a fresh home are changing out wet towels, deodorizing the toilet and changing the bed sheets regularly.<\/p>\n

Most people turn to artificial air fresheners to help their home smell better, and it works, but at what cost? Over three-quarters of homes use these, but behind that fresh smell are harmful components that cause respiratory, skin and eye irritation. What\u2019s the solution?<\/p>\n

For starters, just open the window for five minutes a day and let the fresh air circulate throughout your house. If that isn\u2019t an option due to the weather or security concerns, try a natural fresher like mint, lavender or orange peels.<\/p>\n

Thinking outside the box and getting creative with Spring cleaning will go a long way towards not just going green<\/a> but saving green and living healthier.<\/p>\n

Image credit:<\/strong>\u00a0Jos Dielis<\/a> via Flicker Creative Commons<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Everyone knows how dangerous chemical cleaning solutions are, but avoiding them is easier said than done. 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