Few things in life are more enjoyable than a tidy, gleaming kitchen. But, not every cleaning product being used in our Boston homes is eco-sustainable. The good news is that there are now more natural cleaning products than there have ever been. In reality, you can produce safe, practical, natural cleaning products for a fraction of the cost of store-bought goods that work just as well or better with a few basic products that you probably have in your kitchen.
Why Use Eco-Friendly Products?
There are significant benefits to utilizing sustainable cleaning products in the kitchen. Harsh chemicals can be exceedingly damaging to your nose, skin, eyes, respiratory system, and throat. They also seriously endanger sensitive family members or pets. Several store-bought cleaning solutions contain ingredients that are harmful to the environment in addition to their detrimental effect on your health. Weakened plants, poisoned fish and animals, and contaminated soil can all result from toxic chemicals that seep from our kitchen sinks into lakes, groundwater, and rivers.
On the other hand, environmentally safe cleaning products employ straightforward, non-toxic components. Not all companies that market themselves as “natural” or “organic” are, in fact, environmentally beneficial. Few federal regulations specify which goods can make the “natural” claim. Furthermore, there are no laws that require producers of cleaning solutions to list the chemicals on the box of their goods. Therefore, it is up to the informed customer to investigate eco-friendly cleaning product brands that are accessible or make their own.
Simple Ingredients = Safer Cleaning
Most of the best sustainable cleaning products you can prepare or buy involve the same two common ingredients: baking soda and white vinegar. Used in varied combinations, these two pantry essentials can handle practically any mess your kitchen can make. You can clean the whole kitchen, from floor to ceiling, without using the dangerous chemicals found in many store-bought brands if you use a few other common cleaning equipment. Below are a few ideas:
- Floors: White vinegar, warm water, and a mop or towel can be used to wash and sterilize tile floors and sealed wood. Although vinegar may not have a particularly pleasant smell, you may easily add a drop or two of your preferred essential oil to transform the odor of your kitchen.
- Ovens: Cleaning the interior of your oven after food has been burned to it can be challenging. Even so, you can try a baking soda paste to get rid of all that tenacious gunk with a little bit of water, baking soda, and endurance. Let the baking soda paste set overnight before cleaning for the best results.
- Glass and shiny surfaces: To clean glass or other polished surfaces, combine white vinegar, rubbing alcohol, cornstarch, and water, in a sanitized spray bottle. After that, spray and use a microfiber or lint-free cloth to clean. It is not a good idea to use paper towels to clean glass and other glossy surfaces, as they are not eco-friendly and tend to leave streaks and paper towel fragments behind.
Buy or DIY?
If crafting your own cleaning solutions still doesn’t sound tempting, there are several eco-friendly solutions now. Bon Ami cleansers, Method brand products, and Mrs. Meyer’s products are a few of the most well-known brands. These and other companies ensure their goods are reliable, efficient, and eco-friendly. Some of these businesses even utilize packaging made of 100% post-consumer recycled plastics.
Whether you decide to buy or create your own kitchen cleaning supplies, once you see the advantages of eco-friendly cleansers, you might never go back to using nasty chemicals again. You’ll not only protect your household and yourself, but you’ll also be supporting environmental preservation.
Speak with a professional Boston property manager right now by contacting Real Property Management Boston at 617-522-0099 if you are looking for a rental home or seeking aid in managing your rental property.
Originally Published on February 28, 2020