If you’re like many people, you’re beginning to become concerned about the many hazardous chemicals that used in cleaning products for the home. The good news is that there are reliable, eco-friendly products that do a good job of cleaning, without putting pollutants in local waterways and adding chemical fumes inside home interiors. You can use commonly available household products for effective cleaning of your home, that won’t have these harmful effects on your health or the environment. 

1 – White vinegar is a weak acetic acid compound that offers many advantages for cleaning and sanitizing in the home. You can fill a medium-sized bowl with 2 cups of white vinegar and place it on the rack of your dishwasher, to clean, de-scale and deodorize the dishwasher interior. 

2 – You can also set out a small bowl of vinegar to absorb cooking odors in your home. Vinegar also works to absorb strong odors after you have your home interior painted. 

3 – Vinegar is a powerful de-scaling agent that you can use to clean that unpleasant, white film that collects on kettles and other items. Mix a 50-50 solution of vinegar and water and allow the kettle to boil. Then, rinse the kettle carefully. 

4 – Window cleaning is made easier with the use of vinegar. Mix a 50-50 solution of white vinegar and water. Pour into an empty spray bottle. Spray down windows and wipe with a microfiber cloth for a clean, streak-free shine. You can also use it on mirrors in the home. 

5 – Common baking soda, sodium bicarbonate, is a slightly alkaline, eco-friendly compound that you find in your kitchen cabinets. It can be used for a wide range of home cleaning tasks. You can add it to a load of laundry in the washing machine to soften clothing and remove odors. 

6 – Baking soda can be used to clean and brighter the toilet bowl. Place a cup of baking soda in the toilet water and allow it to sit for at least an hour. Then, add a cup of vinegar, wait a few more minutes, and then flush.

7 – If you mix a thick paste of baking soda and water, you can use it to cover the bottom of your oven to remove caked on food and debris. Leave the paste on for 2 hours or overnight. You can then scrape off the debris easily, for a clean oven surface.

 

8 – A thick paste of baking soda can also be used to remove rust on surfaces, such as garden tools and metal toys. Allow the paste to sit for several hours before scraping off. 

9 – Lemon can also be used as a mild, acidic cleaner and effective deodorizer. A bit of lemon juice, mixed with baking soda, can remove stains from plastic containers. 

10 – Lemon juice can also be used to remove stains from the bottoms of copper pots. 

Our great grandparents used many of these compounds for everyday cleaning, with good effect. Try these 10 tips, and you can feel better about the products you use for housecleaning and help to reduce pollution of the planet.