Most, if not all, of us want a clean kitchen. But never forget that not all of the cleaning products we use in our Semmes homes are safe for our environment. The positive side is that there are a number of eco-friendly cleaning products available that can make our kitchens sparkle. In reality, with the use of just a few simple ingredients most people already have in their cupboards, we can have safe, effective, natural cleaning products that cost a fraction of store-bought brands but work just as well or better.
You can find a lot of good reasons to use eco-friendly cleaning products in the kitchen. Harsh chemicals can be very harmful to your skin, eyes, nose, throat, and respiratory system. In addition, they present a serious threat to any pets or sensitive members of the household. Apart from the negative effects on your health, a lot of store-bought cleaning products contain chemicals that can harm the environment as well. Toxic chemicals can make their way out of our kitchen drains into rivers, lakes, and groundwater, killing vegetation, polluting the soil, and poisoning fish and animals.
Eco-friendly products, instead, only use simple, non-toxic ingredients that are better for the environment. The hassle is that not all brands that claim to be “natural” or “organic” are truly eco-friendly. Few federal regulations define which products can claim to be “natural.” On top of everything, there exist no regulations that require cleaning product manufacturers to list the ingredients in their products on their packaging.
This would mean that it is up to the informed consumer to choose to either do some research to find the truly eco-friendly brands of cleaning products available or make your own. Actually, some of the best eco-friendly cleaning products you can make or buy contain the same simple ingredients: white vinegar and baking soda. Used in various mixes, these two pantry staples can tackle almost any mess your kitchen can produce. With a few other ordinary, versatile cleaning supplies, you could clean your entire kitchen, floor to ceiling, without resorting to the harsh chemicals included in many store-bought brands.
To illustrate, sealed wood and tile floors can be cleaned and disinfected with just a little white vinegar, some warm water, and a mop or rag. While the smell of vinegar may not be all that pleasant, you could always easily add a drop or two of your favorite essential oil to make your kitchen smell great. The same is true when cleaning one of the messiest parts of your kitchen: inside the oven. Getting that burned-on gunk off your oven’s interior can be a difficult task. Also, with a little baking soda, water, and some patience, you can use a baking soda paste to remove all that tough grime. In order to achieve a thorough cleaning, you will need to allow the baking soda paste to sit overnight before scrubbing.
Likewise, glass and shiny surfaces can also be cleaned with eco-friendly ingredients. To do this, you should mix together some rubbing alcohol, white vinegar, corn starch, and water in a clean spray bottle. After that, simply spray and wipe clean with a lint-free or microfiber cloth. It would be ideal not to use paper towels to clean glass and shiny surfaces since they are not eco-friendly and also tend to leave streaks and bits of paper towel behind.
If making your own cleaning products is too much for you, check out the stores because there are quite a few eco-friendly options now available. They will surely have more popular brands like Mrs. Meyer’s products, Bon Ami cleansers, and Method brand products. These and similar brands guarantee that their products are both safe and effective, not to mention eco-friendly. Most of these brands have even opted to use 100% postconsumer recycled plastics in their packaging.
Never mind whether you choose to buy or make kitchen cleaning products, chances are that once you switch, you will never go back to harsh chemicals again. Not only will you guard yourself and your property, but you will be doing your part for the environment, too.
If you are now looking for a rental home or need a hand in managing your Semmes rental property, reach out to Real Property Management Azalea City at 251-345-6224 to discuss specifics with a professional Semmes property manager right now!
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