Sustainable cleaning is about meeting current needs while not compromising future generations’ ability to meet their own. Many everyday cleaning products are laden with chemicals that can harm both humans and the environment. There are eco-friendly and effective sustainable cleaning methods. Many of the synthetic compounds found in household cleaners can be toxic and harmful, and they can leak into air, water, and human bodies. Sustainable cleaning products do not pollute the environment or harm human health.
Implementing sustainable cleaning is beneficial.
- Maintain better air quality.
- Reducing pollution in our water
- Reduce exposure to allergens
- Reduce your exposure to pollutants known to cause cancer, neurological disorders, and hormonal imbalance.
To maintain attractive and healthy environments in the home or workplace, cleaning products are essential. Cleaning is important for maintaining a healthy environment, not only because it’s aesthetically pleasing but also because it removes dust, allergens, and infectious agents. Many cleaning products contain chemicals that can cause eye, skin, or respiratory irritations, as well as other health problems. Greener cleaning products reduce human health and environmental concerns.
EPA’s program certifies cleaners that are safer for the environment and human health. EPA also offers the Design for the Environment label for antimicrobial products such as disinfectants, sanitizers, and cleaners. The product must meet the same high standards and requirements whether it displays the Safer Choice or DfE labels. EPA’s online search tools can help buyers and consumers find DfE and Safer Choice-certified products.
- Search for products certified by Safer Choice.
- DfE Certified Product Search, including those on List N. (Antimicrobial Products, such as disinfectants and sanitizers).
How to get the most out of household products
Many households spend large amounts of money on expensive chemical cleaners. Do you probably already have natural cleaners in your pantry that are effective? If you don’t have them, they are very affordable when compared with name-brand chemical cleaners. Lemon juice, for example, has a high level of acidity that allows it to cut through grease. Lemon has antibacterial properties that help it to kill bacteria on surfaces. White vinegar can also be used as a pantry item to clean your stovetop, descale a coffee maker, and wash windows without streaking.
Baking soda is another sustainable cleaning solution. It’s gentle enough to clean plastic, countertops, and sinks. Baking soda and white vinegar can be combined to unclog a partially blocked drain. This solution will dissolve the sludge and push it through the pipes, allowing water to flow freely. Drop 1/2 cup baking soda into the drain. Pour 1 cup of vinegar into the drain, plug it with a plug, and leave it for 10 minutes. You will hear a fizzing sound. Rinse the drain with hot water. Repeat these steps several times if necessary. Regularly clearing out your drains with baking soda and white vinegar can prevent the accumulation and clogging of debris.
Some brand-name cleaners contain synthetic fragrances.
Most brand-name cleaners are scented with synthetic fragrances. Why is this important? It is derived from petroleum, according to the Committee on Science & Technology. According to Richard Pressinger, MD, petroleum-based chemicals can alter hormones, causing cancers, neurological disorders, and learning disabilities.
Today, synthetic fragrances are found in almost every type of product, including soaps, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, deodorants, perfumes, and colognes. They can also be found in household cleaning products and air fresheners. Essential oils are a great way to clean the air and add a nice scent. You can spray crucial oils in the air, or you can add them to a natural DIY cleaner.
How to Use Air Purifying Houseplants
Indoor plants that remove toxins and clean the air may help you breathe cleaner, healthier air. NASA published a list in 1989 of plants that can clean the air and remove toxins. These plants can remove up to 87% of poisonous elements from the air. These toxins are mostly found in everyday products like paints, varnishes, and cleaning solutions. They can also be found in carpeting, insulation, wood treatments, and other household items. Many houseplants are easy to care for and grow, even if they seem intimidating to people who don’t possess a green thumb. Here are eight. According to the NASA Study, indoor plants are easy to maintain and can clean the air.
- Peace lilies are one of the most difficult houseplants to kill and prefer low to medium light.
- English Ivy: water the soil and mist it frequently. Provide bright, indirect lighting and protect it from wind.
- Spider Plant – spider plants prefer indirect sunlight and are one of the easiest houseplants to grow.
- Dracaena plants can grow up to three feet high, which means they need larger pots. They also require more space. They prefer to be misted instead of watered.
- Snake Plant – prefers bright but will tolerate low levels of light. It is one of the best plants for indoors that can clean the air.
- Golden Pothos Plant – Cleanse the air and eliminate toxins. This plant can tolerate low-light spaces and only occasional watering.
- Boston Ferns prefer a cool, indirect light environment with high humidity. Keep the soil damp at all times.
- Ficus/Weeping Fig – a tree with a slow growth rate that prefers a location with bright enough light. Its water requirements are determined by how much light the tree receives. Let the soil dry between waterings.
Reusing everyday household items for cleaning
Upcycling is a great way to achieve sustainable cleaning. Repurposing everyday items for cleaning can save you money and reduce waste. Repurposing can include:
- Using old toothbrushes for cleaning small areas such as tile and grout.
- Turning single socks into dusting gloves to remove dust from ceiling fan blades and toilets.
- Turning old textiles like sheets, towels, and cotton shirts into washrags and storing them with your cleaning products.
The life expectancy of household items can only be limited by our imagination.
We should all be thinking about and doing sustainable cleaning. Traditional cleaners contain a lot of chemicals. Sustainable cleaning methods offer non-toxic alternatives without compromising on effectiveness or efficiency.
Residential and Commercial Cleaning Services
Why Hire Cleanstart to Service Your Home or Facility
Over the past two decades, Cleaning Start has provided quality cleaning services for a variety of industries. These include professional offices, gyms/fitness centers, medical offices/clinics, and retail stores.
Cleanstart stands out from the competition because of our attention to detail and commitment to providing our customers with a high standard of service. When possible, we use “environmentally preferred” green cleaning products instead of traditional products. We offer a wide range of cleaning services, including hard floor stripping and waxing, upholstery/carpet cleaning and extraction, restrooms, high windows, high dusting, electrostatic disinfecting, post-construction/renovation cleanup, apartment/house move-in/move-outs, water damage cleanup, graffiti removal, exterior power washing, and more.
Cleanstart offers a wide range of cleaning services at affordable rates. We guarantee 100% satisfaction with our service. Our cleaners have all been drug-tested and background-checked and are covered by liability, workers’ compensation, and bond insurance.