Spring is always a good time to review your cleaning routine. If you’re looking to get away from chemicals and add more natural products in your home, here are a few options to get you started. Switching to a green cleaning routine can save you money in some cases, and spare you exposure to harsh chemicals tied to health problems such as asthma, allergies, hormone disruption and even cancer.
Simple is best: A couple of budget-friendly solutions are vinegar and baking soda. Mix in a bit of warm water to either of the two and you have an instant all-purpose cleaner. A vinegar (distilled or white is best) and water solution works for polishing metal, cleaning bathroom tile and sanitizing the garbage disposal. Baking soda can be used as an air freshener and carpet cleaner.
Start in the kitchen: If you want to go the natural route when it comes to cleaning, look no further than your own kitchen. Many foods can do double duty as cleaning products. Club soda can remove stains from clothing and carpeting. You can use a lemon wedge to clean and remove stains from wood cutting boards. Plus, you can put slices of lemon down the garbage disposal to deodorize.
Use natural scents: Pungent, store-bought air fresheners can be replaced with milder scents such as fresh flowers. You can also boil cinnamon sticks or vanilla on your stovetop to create a delicious aroma. Freshly baked cookies also give your home a lovely scent.
Go-to brands: If you prefer to skip the DIY route, there are plenty of green cleaning products on the market:
Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day: This line of household cleaning products is available nationwide and uses plant-derived ingredients and essential oils. Dish soap, multi-purpose cleaners, laundry supplies and air fresheners are among their best sellers.
Dr. Bronner’s: The brand claims its Castile Liquid Soaps are gentle enough for washing body, face or hair, but also strong enough for dishwashing, mopping, laundry and even pest control.
The Honest Company: This celebrity-endorsed line of bath and body, and home cleaning products comes in stylish, eco-friendly packaging. While it’s best known for its monthly subscription-based shipments of diapers and other baby products, the brand can now also be found in Target, Whole Foods Market, Costco and Nordstrom, among other stores. No monthly subscription needed.
