The significance of home cleaning does not need to be emphasized from the perspectives of health and environmental cleanliness. Nevertheless, most of the cleaning products that we tend to use for keeping our homes spic and span contain toxic chemicals which are damaging to both our health and environment. There is substantial evidence to prove that the side-effects of any typical commercial cleaning product outweigh the beneficial aspects of its use.
Fortunately enough, there are numerous natural products and home remedies that can help in maintaining the tidiness of homes and offices without endangering health or the surroundings. For instance, baking soda and washing soda are two time-tested, excellent home cleaning products that you can use without having to worry about jeopardizing personal or environmental health. The most noteworthy benefit of using a natural cleaning product is that the same is extremely pocket-friendly.
Chlorine bleach is effective but corrosive: There are better and safer alternatives
Chlorine has been used as a bleaching and cleaning agent for as long as one can remember. Nevertheless, chlorine being extremely caustic in nature not only scars the surfaces of floors and products that require a rinsing but is also harsh on the skin. Owing to its germicidal and antibacterial properties, manufacturers of home cleaning agents use chlorine as a key ingredient in dishwashing as well as laundry detergents.
This cleaning product is also not safe for kids, and when blended with ammonia (which is another staple ingredient found in several cleaning solutions), it emits toxic gasses. Since it is quite harrowing for you to check out the ingredients of any typical cleaning product that you buy each time, simply avoid mixing the detergents for your own safety. Also, don’t flush out disused cleaning solutions all at once, instead of empty the bottles one by one.
Non-hazardous solutions
- Use a cleaning detergent or liquid that does not contain chlorine when it comes to home cleaning. Check out whether the fine print on the label has the word ‘chlorine-free’. Wash the surface completely after using the cleaner and make sure that you don’t use more than one agent at any time.
- Replace use of chlorine bleach with hydrogen peroxide which is equally effective in getting rid of stains from different surfaces, and removing mildews or molds. Also, hydrogen peroxide is less acerbic compared to chlorine.
Ammonia is as efficient as chlorine but equally caustic
Household ammonia chemically known as ammonium hydroxide has long been harnessed as an efficient all-purpose cleaning product. The aqueous solution of ammonia is extensively used for removing grease and dirt from stainless steel, porcelain, oven tops, and windows. Despite its widespread use, concentrated form of the compound which has a typical pungent odor can be hazardous as well as caustic. Of course, you’ve recourses to safer cleaning means that are equally useful:-
- Opt for home cleaning agents that carry the following words on the labeling like ‘solvent-free’, VOC-free (volatile organic compounds), ‘phosphate-free’, ‘biodegradable’ and ‘petroleum-free’
- Also keep an eye out for products labeled ‘non-toxic’, ‘green’ that are free of ammonia, alcohols, glycol ethers, triclosan, triclocarban, and ‘chlorine’.
Buy OTC non-toxic cleaners or go DIY
Manufacturers are focusing on producing cleaning solutions and liquids that are non-hazardous and formulated from environmental-friendly ingredients in order to meet consumers’ demand for such products. Nowadays, you’ll find eco-friendly bathroom cleaners and tile grout cleaners, non-toxic floor cleaners, fabric softeners, laundry and dishwashing detergents in departmental stores and supermarkets. Make a habit of reading the product label or going through the manufacturer’s website.
A practical alternative to using commercial rinsing agents is to take the DIY route or in other words, make cleaning products in the comfort of your home. Concocting home cleaning solutions all by yourself, not only aid in keeping your house sanitized but also work out cheaper.
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