functional living
Go green clean
get a green clean
When it comes to getting our homes clean, Americans are increasingly going green.
According to the 2017 ShopperScape survey by Kantar Retail, 4.7 million consumers had purchased green products for only one year or less and 56 percent of U.S. primary household shoppers purchased natural and organic products in at least one category.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, when traditional chemical cleaning products are released into the environment during normal use, they can affect water quality and endanger aquatic species, affect indoor air quality and cause skin and eye irritation. find green products
Both cleaning products manufacturers and the U.S. government have responded to demand for people looking for more natural ways to clean their homes. The United States Department of Agriculture’s BioPreferred program certifies a wide range of products that are safer for the environment than traditional ones. Visit www.biopreferred.gov for the list of household cleaning products, including oven cleaners, sponges, dish soaps, laundry detergents, personal care and toiletries, products for babies and children — and much, more, including building materials, construction supplies, pet products, sporting goods and office supplies.
While it was once the case that one might need to find a specialty or health foods store or even an individual sales consultant to track down green cleaning supplies, they are now widely available at many local supermarkets. There’s a good chance that you can find a BioPreferred product or a comparable alternative available for purchase locally.
do it yourself
The great thing about going green with your cleaning is that it’s incredibly affordable and easy to DIY. We all appreciate a pre-made cleaner, but if you are willing to put in some minimal prep work, you can set yourself up for cleaning your home naturally in no time at all. Here are some formulations for basic cleaners, from Delaware Healthy Homes, that are up to the task of getting your home sparkling clean. all-purpose cleaner: Mix 4 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 quart warm water. disinfectant: Mix 1/2 cup borax into 1 gallon of hot water.
to clear clogs: Pour 1/2 cup baking soda down drain, add 1/2 cup white vinegar, and cover the drain. The resulting chemical reaction can break fatty acids down into soap and glycerine, allowing the clog to wash down the drain. Do not use this method after trying a commercial drain opener — the vinegar can react with the drain opener to create dangerous fumes.
floor cleaner/polish: Use a few drops of vinegar in cleaning water to remove soap traces. For vinyl or linoleum, add a capful of baby oil to the water to preserve and polish. For wood floors, apply a thin coat of oil and vinegar (in a one-to-one solution) and rub in well. For painted wooden floors, mix 1 teaspoon of washing soda into 1 gallon of hot water. For brick and stone tiles, use 1 cup white vinegar in 1 gallon of water and rinse with clear water. bathroom tub and tile cleaner: Rub in baking soda with a damp sponge and rinse or wipe with vinegar and follow with baking soda as a scouring powder.
window and glass cleaner: Use a vinegar-and-water solution, cornstarch-vinegarand-water solution, or lemon juice and water. Wipe with newspaper unless you are sensitive to the inks in newsprint. To avoid streaks, don’t wash windows when the sun is shining.