Although my little Italian grandmother died decades ago when I was fourteen, I still remember her vividly: always scurrying about, cleaning every nook and cranny, with the scent of chlorine bleach wafting along behind her. (To this day, whenever I'm near a swimming pool, I think of her.) And whenever I find myself scrubbing away in my house (a lot lately, due to Spring Cleaning Fever), she comes to mind.
Since you're reading a green blog right now, you've probably guessed that I try to choose household cleaners that are the most environmentally responsible, but because I'm asthmatic, I also choose ones that are sensitive to people with respiratory issues (i.e., no bleach--sorry, Grandma). These ten products fit the bill:
1) Apple cider vinegar. Great for disinfecting stainless steel sinks and kids' thermoses (with those pesky straws and caps). Until recently, I used distilled white vinegar, but apple cider vinegar smells so much better. (My long-time friend Alex gave me the tip for soaking thermoses in a vinegar/water solution--thanks, A the K!)
2) Baking soda. Mix it with water for mildly abrasive cleaning (for example, on stovetops and teakettles that have built-up grease).
3) Microfiber cloths (or even regular facecloths, in a pinch) for dusting. No extra products needed--most of them just add waxy build-up to your furniture. The cloths are also absorbent and can scrub, so they can really cut down on your paper towel consumption.
4) Murphy's Oil Soap. For cleaning wooden kitchen tables, chairs, and other pieces of furniture that have food or grit on them, not just dust.
5) Seventh Generation Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner (Lemongrass Citrus Scent). Spray it on, let it sit, wipe it away later. Doesn't smell like heavy chemicals--just fresh and clean.
6) Earth Friendly Products Shower Cleaner. Removes soapy build-up on soap dishes, tubs, and showers.
7) Earth Friendly Products Floor Cleaner. Cuts right through dirt and leaves a nice shine.
8) Citrus Magic Veggie Wash. Not technically a house cleaner, but essential in our home for removing dirt, waxes, and pesticides from any produce. (Yes, we try to buy organic whenever possible.) Unlike other produce sprays, we can't taste it, and that's crucial.
9) Natural Choices Orange 100 Cleaner/Degreaser. Best counter cleaner ever--smells amazing and lasts for ages because you add just a splash of it to your own spray bottle filled with water.
10) ECOS Magnolia & Lily Laundry Detergent. This is expensive, so we don't buy it all the time, but it's my favorite scent for a laundry detergent and works great to freshen up clothes.
And one more of my favorite green cleaning methods:
Open all of the windows in the house regularly for cross-ventilation. How free and easy is that? No room sprays necessary, and now that it's spring, the fresh air is blossom-scented!
What earth-friendly cleaning products and methods do you usein your home? Please share in the comments section.
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I will have to try the seventh generation bathroom cleaner. I use their dish soap and it works just as well as any regular one, with the bonus that it does not make my sponge or rag smell funky the way regular dish soap does. I also use hydrogen peroxide to clean my shower tiles.
Thanks for the list! I am always looking for good green cleaners.
Kate
Posted by: Kate | 05/08/2013 at 04:31 AM
I use a homemade mix of water (large amount) vinegar (medium amount) rubbing alcohol (small amount) and cornstarch (tiny amount) for cleaning windows, counters, sinks and toilets. I just use the natural laundry soap & dishwashing soap from Trader Joe's. It's nice, because my cleaning supplies are literally just a cloth to dust & one spray bottle of homemade mix.
Posted by: Janna | 05/08/2013 at 09:12 AM
Yes, thanks for mentioning hydrogen peroxide, Kate--also a great choice for green cleaners. I am going to try it on my bathroom tiles--seems a lot easier than scrubbing with baking soda.
Posted by: Joy @ JoyfullyGreen.com | 05/08/2013 at 09:37 AM
Thats great, Janna. Simple and green! Didnt know about cornstarch for cleaning--thanks!
Posted by: Joy @ JoyfullyGreen.com | 05/08/2013 at 09:39 AM
Great list,Joy! It's got my wheels turning!
Posted by: Donna Schultz | 05/08/2013 at 02:42 PM
Thanks, Donna! And Im so glad you stopped by the comments section!
Posted by: Joy @ JoyfullyGreen.com | 05/08/2013 at 05:11 PM
I will have to look for the Lemongrass Citrus scented Seventh Generation cleaner. I have never seen it before. :)
Posted by: Tiffany (NatureMom) | 05/09/2013 at 10:48 AM