Natural Cleaning Products: Should You Switch?
January 21, 2009
Are you wary of using harsh, caustic chemicals that stink up your house? They smell noxious, are bad for the environment, and could even harm your family. But what’s the alternative? Natural home cleaning products that are expensive and don’t work as well…. right?
Well, hope is here. You actually have cleaning products all over your house that are natural, inexpensive, and may even work better than what you have now. (There are also inexpensive natural cleaning products available at larger grocery and health food stores.) Here’s a list of amazing cleaners you probably already have:
* Baking soda. We all know baking soda is great for keeping odors out of the fridge, but it has other uses around the house as well. It can be used as a cleanser, mild scrubbing agent, fabric softener and deodorizer. Read more about how to clean using baking soda.
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* Borax. Borax is most often used as a laundry booster and water softener, but it’s also great for killing insects, cleaning walls, floors and bathrooms, killing weeds, and getting rid of nasty odors. Unlike many of the other cleaning products listed here, borax can be toxic if swallowed. It may also lead to skin irritation. Be sure to keep it away from pets and children. More on cleaning uses for borax.
* Vinegar. You know those spray bottles of multipurpose cleaner? Why not replace those with a solution of half water and half vinegar? It cleans glass and surfaces, while disinfecting and deodorizing. Plus it’s safe for your kids to drink (it’s actually healthy). More cleaning uses for vinegar.
* Hydrogen peroxide. You may have used this to clean out cuts and scrapes, or just the inside of your ears. If it can clean so well inside your body, imagine what it can do for your house. Hydrogen peroxide is a safer alternative to bleach. (In fact, my midwife used it to take blood right out of my carpet.) While drinking hydrogen peroxide is safe, it can make you feel very sick, so keep it away from children.
* Lemon juice. Lemons juice is a strong acid, so it breaks down dirt and the organisms that live all over your house. It can be used to clean and disinfect just about anything (just test for staining first) and even polishes and shines many metals. Plus, you don’t have to add a synthetic lemony scent, it’s already in there! More on cleaning with lemon juice.
One great thing to do with natural cleaning products that you should never ever do with conventional products is to mix them together. While mixing certain household cleaners can be harmful and even deadly to you and your family, mixing natural products can give you added cleaning power.
You know all those bubbles that get released when you mix baking soda and vinegar? Well those bubbles are great for unclogging drains and breaking up other hard to reach dirt and grime. You can also substitute lemon juice for vinegar to produce the same effect with a fresh scent.
So, next time you need a new cleaning product, why not replace it with one of these great natural alternatives instead? You’ll soon find you can have both a clean house and a safe house.
More about natural home cleaning products:
Most store-bought furniture polishes are full of chemicals that are toxic and not environmentally friendly. But there are natural ingredients that can be used to make safer and less expensive furniture polish.
Natural Glass & Window Cleaner Recipes
Making your own homemade natural glass and window cleaners is a simple way to make our homes safer and help protect the environment from the harsh chemicals that can be found in commercial formulations. You probably have most or all of the ingredients already, and if you don’t they can be purchased very inexpensively.
Making your own natural cleaners can save money and avoid the hazards of cleaning the kitchen with harsh chemicals. Here are some kitchen cleaners you can make easily.
Want to get your clothes clean without leaving behind harmful chemicals? Here are some tips on dealing with the laundry naturally.
How many ways can you use citrus to clean your house? Let’s see…
Cleaning with Borax (and other uses for Borax)
Of course, if making cleaning products from scratch just isn’t your cup of tea, you can always buy safe household cleaners made from natural ingredients at health food stores and online. Here are some examples:
Natural cleaning product reviews
photo credit: juhansonin
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