Cleaning tools often include detergents, soaps, and other harsh chemicals that, while helpful in eliminating stubborn grime, can be doing the environment, or your family’s health and yours, a lot of harm. So instead of relying on antibacterial cleaners, you could also start exploring green cleaning your home. Here are some chemicals and common alternatives to them:
Chlorine Bleach
WebMD says this cleaner has been around for years and it’s one of the harshest out there. The good news is that it completely kills bacteria on contact. The not so good news is that it’s not good for human skin. And there’s a little chlorine bleach in many of the cleaning products available in the market.
What makes chlorine bleach even less attractive as a cleaning agent is the fact that, when it’s mixed with ammonia and acidic cleaners, results into toxic fumes. Because a lot of households use this, it’s the cleaner kids often accidentally swallow.
Alternative
Use a hydrogen-peroxide cleaning solution for your laundry. It allows you to eliminate mold as well as mildew so you can use it for cleaning your grout and tiles, especially in the bathroom. Using an old toothbrush can help you scrub those hard to reach corners so don’t throw out your brushes. Keep them handy.
Ammonia
This cleaning solution, especially in its undiluted form, has properties that irritate your eyes and respiratory system. If you’ve got someone with asthma in the house, using this can be very harmful to that person’s health.
Alternative
Look for non-toxic cleaners that have no chlorine or alcohol along with ammonia agents. Get biodegradable, phosphate-free, VOC-free, solvent-free solutions. That or ask for professional cleaning assistance from experts. green cleaning products like ZEROREZ in PA fit the bill quite nicely.
Homemade
You can also go for home-made cleaners if you want to keep your cleaning closet free of cleaning solutions that contain chemicals. You can use vinegar or lemon juice to wipe your cabinet pulls or bathrooms. Rinse thoroughly with water and make sure to keep it off your marble floors.
Toothpaste with baking soda is also useful for removing water rings from wooden, lacquered or antique furniture.
Want to get rid of the smell inside your fridge? Then use baking soda. Mix it with water and use it to wipe the surface of your fridge to beat the smell back.
So go for the best way to clean your home. Choose green cleaning.
