Cleaning the home usually conjures up images of cleaning products that are filled with chemicals and other harmful ingredients. However, it is possible to make cleaning the home a safe and eco-friendly activity by using cleaning products that are natural, effective and for the most part, smell great unlike chemical-laden toxic cleaners that line the supermarket shelves these days. Eco-friendly homes will benefit from using any one of these three green cleaning products that are not just organic but are cheap and easily available.

Baking Soda is an Ideal Green Household Cleaner

Baking soda or soda bicarbonate is a terrific eco-friendly cleaning product. Use it on its own to disinfect and deodorize or combine it with white vinegar and create a strong and effective household cleaner. Here are some of the simple and easy ways in which eco-friendly homeowners can use baking soda to clean the home.

• Make a general baking soda solution by mixing 4 tablespoons of baking soda with ¼ cup water and use it to clean and deodorize the insides of ovens, microwaves, refrigerators and even, countertops.

• Deodorize rugs and ashtrays by sprinkling dry baking soda on them, letting stand for about 20 minutes or so and then, brushing or rinsing away.

• Keep away odors from the trash can by simply sprinkling some baking soda at the bottom before putting in a fresh liner.

White Vinegar Makes Green Cleaning Easy and Effective

White vinegar is a cleaning solution most green homeowners often rely on. If one can bear the smell, which by the way, dissipates in a couple of hours, one can easily use white vinegar to disinfect and clean countertops, floors, mirrors, windows and so much more.

• Make a basic vinegar cleaning solution by mixing equal parts of white vinegar and water. Put this in a spray bottle and use to clean and disinfect a toddler’s high chair, kitchen stovetops, bathroom taps and showerheads, countertops, windows and mirrors.

• Use pure, undiluted vinegar to clean mold and mildew. Simply spray undiluted distilled white vinegar on to the mold-affected area and let it stand for a few minutes, before wiping clean.

• Use pure, distilled vinegar to clean the inside of a toilet bowl. Simply pour undiluted vinegar around the inner rim and scrub with the toilet brush for a clean and disinfected toilet.

• Diluted vinegar can be used to mop floors (other than marble) and also to clean wooden furniture and surfaces.

While vinegar is a relatively safe green cleaner, however one should never use it on marble surfaces since it is acidic. Also, it is a good idea to test a small area with vinegar to rule out any possible reactions.

(For more great “cleaning with vinegar tips”, check out this post!)

Using Salt for Eco Cleaning

Salt is yet another great way to clean the home in an eco-friendly manner. Use salt to scrub countertops and kitchen sinks and to scrub away tea and coffee stains from cups and mugs. One can even disinfect chopping boards by sprinkling salt and bleach and then, scrubbing clean.

Green cleaners needn’t be expensive or store-bought. Simply look around, do a bit of research and you’d be surprised at some of the cleaning properties of store-cupboard ingredients. Do use these simple and effective green cleaning products for a home that is clean and eco-friendly.

Photo Credit 1: G&A Sattler
Photo Credit 2: gotthick_matt