The average kitchen cupboard is full of toxic chemicals, many of which claim to kill “all known germs”. Well nobody doubts that bleach is good at nuking bacteria around a toilet bowl, but if you want to do your bit for the environment, there are plenty of eco-friendly ways to kill bacteria and enjoy a nice, clean home.
Clear Out Your Cupboards
If you want to be more eco-friendly, it’s time to sort out your kitchen cupboards and replace that dangerous cocktail of nasty chemicals with a few environmentally friendly products. The good news is that this won’t cost you much because most of the green things you need to clean your house will already be there, lurking in your cupboards.
Bicarbonate of Soda
Bicarbonate of soda can be used for lots of things. It is the key ingredient in Irish soda bread, which is delicious when served up with Irish meat and potato stew, but it can also come in pretty handy if you are in the mood for some spring-cleaning.
You can use bicarbonate of soda, otherwise known as baking soda, to clean ovens, silver, and blocked drains. To clean an oven, make a paste with baking soda, salt and water and apply to any areas crusted up with burnt food and grease. Leave for at least 15 minutes and make sure you rinse it off thoroughly before using the oven. It is also great for cleaning limescale deposits in the bathroom – make a water/baking soda solution and use it to scrub tiles and taps.
White Vinegar
Distilled white vinegar is another highly effective household product that cuts through limescale with the greatest of ease. Vinegar is great for cleaning glass, mirrors and ceramic tiles. If you make up a 50:50 solution of white vinegar and water, you can use it to clean glass and mirrors in the bathroom and around the house. For a smear-free finish, rub down with a sheet of newspaper. Vinegar can also be used to de-scale a kettle, but do remember to thoroughly rinse the kettle once you’re done or your tea and coffee will taste seriously nasty.
Lemon Juice
Lemons smell nice and are good for removing limescale from mugs and cups. Lemon can also be used to polish copper pots and pans.
Steam Power
Who needs bleach when you have steam? Steam cleaners are great for cleaning hard surfaces such as floors, ceramic tiles and glass. When used correctly, a steam cleaner will kill 99.99% of all bacteria, which means your home will be hygienically clean without having to use chemicals.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a powerful antibacterial cleanser, which is why it is often used as a staple ingredient in skin care products. You can also use tea tree oil to disinfect germ infested parts of your home such as door handles and toilets. Just mix with hot water, soap and borax, and apply liberally.
It is far better to stick to environmentally friendly products when cleaning your home. The decisions you make now could have far reaching effects on future generations, so be responsible and stay away from harsh chemical cleaners.
