Think green when you spring clean
Research environmentally friendly brands and cleaning-product recipes online
By Kama Lee Jackson
After winter hibernation, it’s time to make a clean sweep. “Spring is a great time to open the windows, let some fresh air in and get rid of all the dust bunnies that have been hiding indoors over winter,” says Emmanuel Rey, founder of LiveLife, a lifestyle enhancement service for people in the Greater Toronto Area.
This season consider using environmentally friendly products for a thorough spring cleaning. Rey says demand for natural toxic-free products has steadily increased as more people become aware of the benefits of green cleaning.
Avoid toxic chemicals
“Most commercial and household products contain toxic and volatile chemicals that are harsh on the environment and our bodies,” he says. “Consider that children are playing on carpets and that pets are licking up crumbs from the floor. If traditional chemicals are used to clean, your children and pets are being unnecessarily exposed to harmful chemicals.”
Green cleaning products use Earth-friendly ingredients, such as hydrogen peroxide, a natural bleaching agent that degrades into oxygen and water. It replaces the environmentally toxic chlorine bleach commonly found in cleaning products.
Follow Microsoft Home Magazine’s tips to incorporate a bit of green cleaning into your routine this year.
Browse for green cleaning products online
Green cleaning products can be found in local health food stores, and even in the health food aisle of your grocery store. There are also many web sites that sell eco-safe cleaning products and deliver them to your door.
Here are a few sites to help you find natural cleaning products:
- Gaiam: This firm provides natural-living products for every room of your home, including cleaning products and allergy-relief bedding.
- Real Goods: This company provides everything for the indoors and out, from garden composters and solar fountain kits to green cleaning products and laundry fragrance.
- Nature Clean: This Canadian company makes natural household cleaners and laundry products such as dishwasher liquid and fruit and veggie spray.
- Grassroots: Based in Toronto, this site offers plenty of household cleaners and laundry products.
Make your own natural house cleaners
You can also make green cleaning products at home. “Not only will you save money, but you will see how nature makes cleaning a breeze,” says Rey. “The two most important ingredients for homemade cleaning products are right in your kitchen — vinegar and baking soda.” Rey offers these two recipes.
- For windows and tile floors, mix 1 cup of white vinegar with 1 quart of warm water. Use newspaper instead of paper towel on windows; the paper leaves a streak-free shine and it’s recyclable.
- For countertops, sink and bathtubs, make a paste of baking soda and water.
Try these recipes as well.
- Care2: Make your own cleaning kit with natural, household ingredients.
- The Old Farmer’s Almanac: Find recipes for homemade, safe cleaners such as all-purpose scrub and mildew remover.
- OrganizedHome.com: Concoct cleaning sprays, glass cleaner and furniture polish.
Create a room-cleaning routine
Download Microsoft Home Magazine’s room-by-room chore list and adapt it to your situation. “Once you have your chart completed, it’s easy to divide it up among household members or to tackle one room at a time,” says Rey. Checking off the list as you go will give you a sense of accomplishment.
Clean your way around the room, working from top to bottom, from back to front, and to the right without backtracking, says Jeff Campbell, the founder of the San Francisco housecleaning company The Clean Team and author of three cleaning books.
Dress for success
Campbell says the most important cleaning tool is a multi-pocket apron. Like a carpenter’s belt, it will allow you to carry products and tools and eliminate your need to backtrack.
Rey’s final tip: Don’t forget to wipe light switches and door handles regularly to minimize germs and the risk of catching a cold in your household.
