After reading all about why mainstream cleaning products are poisoning you and your family, we’re sure some of you might be thinking that you need to make a trip to the store right now to get some cleaning products that are safe! However, you may already have some green cleaning products at home. Here are four green cleaning products you could have right in your kitchen and a few cleaning recipes to get you started.
4 Effective Green Cleaning Agents
Of all the countless recipes for green cleaners online, the majority of them all use these four ingredients. These ingredients are much better for your health and for the environment, as they do not cause indoor air pollution and don’t contain toxic chemicals. Most importantly, these ingredients are all fantastic cleaning agents that will allow you to quickly ditch your mainstream cleaning products.
Lemon
Not only is lemon a wonderful cleaning agent, but it smells amazing too! Lemon is such a powerful cleanser because the acid within it is antibacterial and antiseptic, meaning it fights against bacteria and prevents or slows the growth of bacteria. This is why many refer to lemon as a natural bleach. The rinds of lemons can also actually help to clean and shine things, too, like dishes and countertops. Last but not least, the scent of lemon has been shown to promote concentration and have calming effects. So, lemon is both a cleanser AND a mood enhancer!
There is one thing to keep in mind though. Lemon is an amazing household cleaner, but it is not a disinfectant. This means that while it fights against bacteria, it does not completely destroy it. This is not a bad thing, as bacteria is actually good for you; just keep in mind that when you are trying to remove dangerous microbes, you will need something stronger than lemon, like the ingredient we’ll talk about next.
Vinegar
Though it doesn’t smell as great as lemon, vinegar is another terrific cleaning agent and disinfectant. Vinegar is made from acetic acid, making it so powerful that it can dissolve dirt, grease, grime, mineral deposit, and even bacteria. Though there are several types of vinegar, such as apple cider vinegar and balsamic vinegar, the best vinegar for cleaning is white distilled vinegar. This is because white distilled vinegar doesn’t contain a coloring agent, meaning it won’t stain your surfaces like cleaning with a darker-colored vinegar might do. White distilled vinegar also contains about the same acidity percentage as your mainstream multipurpose cleaners, which is about 5%.
You can use vinegar to clean basically anything, from glass to toilets and floors! To lessen the potent smell, try opening your windows or adding a few drops of essential oils, like lemon oil or lavender oil, to it. While the smell may linger a little, we’re sure that it is far better than using toxic products that expose you and your family to unnecessary chemicals and severely harm your bodies.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has so many wonderful benefits, that it might be one of the most important essential oils out there. Tea tree oil has antiseptic, antiviral, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties that are just as effective as mainstream cleaning products. In other words, it kills bacteria, combats viruses, prevents fungal and bacterial infections, and so much more. Basically, if you want your home to be deeply cleaned naturally, tea tree oil is definitely something you should use. It can be used to clean laundry, fight or prevent mold, clean hard surfaces, purify the air, and a long list of other things.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is another versatile, highly effective natural cleaning agent. Baking soda maintains the pH balance, meaning it neutralizes both acids and bases. This is why it is able to effectively deodorize things rather than just cover up the smell. Baking soda is also a gentle abrasive, meaning it is capable of removing stains or simply cleaning countertops and dishes. When mixed with water, it can also dissolve dirt and grease, making it a super effective cleaner in your kitchen. Just like the other cleaning agents above, baking soda can be used to clean practically anything, from carpets and countertops to stovetops and garbage disposals.
2 Green Cleaning Product Recipes to Get You Started
We will definitely share more green cleaning recipes in the future, but here are two super effective and natural cleaners to get you started.
All-Purpose Cleaner
Here’s a concoction that can clean practically anything you need! First, mix equal parts of water and white distilled vinegar together in a spray bottle. Then, add 10 drops of tea tree oil and either fresh lemon juice or lemon oil. This will thoroughly clean and disinfect anything you need, while leaving a nice scent of lemon behind, too!
Air Purifier
To purify your air or simply make it smell better, add a few drops of tea tree oil or lemon oil to an oil diffuser, turn on your diffuser, and let the magic happen! To enhance the smell, try adding other nice smelling essential oils, such as lavender or sandalwood.
Looking for Effective Green Cleaning Services?
Are you looking to have your house or business professionally cleaned, but would like to do so in a healthy manner? If so, our green cleaning services are perfect for you! At Kauai Green Cleaning Services, we promise to thoroughly clean your house or business without the use of toxic chemicals. Call us today to schedule your green cleaning at (808) 652-5391.
