If you’re trying to be more green, like I am, but you get a little overwhelmed with all the organic this and Acronym-Free that—relax.
I’m about to you tell you the absolute easiest way for you to start being more environmentally friendly.
Ready?
Use greener cleaning products.
Hold on. Get back here. I see a few of you running to chain yourself in front of your closet full of pine-fresh scented cleaning products.You don’t have to give up having a clean house to use green cleaning products. And you don’t have to spend any more money than you’re spending right now. In fact, you may even be able to spend a little less.
Cleaner. Greener. Less money.
Got your attention?
My first experience with green cleaning products was with Clorox Green Works dish soap. The only reason I used it is because a PR company sent me a bottle for free, and I was convinced it wouldn’t work as well as my normal phosphate full soap.
Except… it did work. Perfectly.
The next time I was in the grocery store, I took a look at the pricing on green cleaners. Surprisingly, I found several brands that offered greener alternatives for pretty much the same cost as the nitrate infested options.
My two favorite brands are Green Works and Method. I’ve also tried (and loved) EcoStore products—but I don’t have the attention span or planning skills required to order my laundry detergent and then wait for it to be shipped to me. It’s much easier for me to pick up a bottle of at Target or Wal-Mart.
Once I figured out that the harsh chemicals and toxins weren’t actually required to get something clean, I started to think about other natural cleaning solutions.
I remembered having heard something about vinegar.
You can clean damn near anything with vinegar and water.
I keep a huge jug of white vinegar in my house now and have various spray bottles of vinegar and water in my kitchen and bathroom cupboards. I use it to wash windows, countertops, mirrors and toilets. And it works. A gallon of vinegar will cost next to nothing and you know exactly what chemicals you’re spraying all over your house.
Making the switch to green cleaning products has been the easiest eco-friendly change I’ve made in my life. I use vinegar and water for most of my spray and wipe cleaning needs, and rely on Method and Green Works products for things like laundry and dishes. Neither my house nor my budget has suffered from this change, and I’m not having to make an extra trip to a natural health food store for cleaning supplies.
Are you cleaning green yet?
TGMR columnist Britt Reints is desperately trying to reconcile being green with being pretty. You can find more of her soul-stirring emotional depth at Miss Britt, her personal blog.
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I use vinegar for almost everything these days, including laundry detergent booster. My advice? Stay away from the balsamic.
;)
Don’t forget baking soda for scrubbing stuff like drain holes! They come out shiny and clean every time.
Using green cleaning products is a great choice, sometimes it just takes a little research! My favorite DIY cleaner is 2 cups of water, 1 teaspoon Dr. Bronners & 2 teaspoons tea tree oil - works great on the tub as a daily cleaner. My favorite store brand is Caldrea because is smells so good!!
I also love using the vinegar and water combo for cleaning almost everything in my house. I even use it for mopping my floors. Though, I can’t seem to find a green cleaner that works well for the serious mildew and soap scum problem I have in my shower. I’m so sensitive to the conventional cleaners that after cleaning my shower with them, my skin is red and burns for hours afterwords. They also never fail to alter my sense of smell after breathing in the toxins while cleaning. Sometimes, it takes an entire day for me to feel normal again. This just can’t be good. Anyone know of a green shower cleaner that works well??
Gina…I haven’t found anything for mildew but I’ve been using Whole Foods’ 365 brand soap scum remover and it works really well.
Good to know. Thanks Janet!
I own a Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products Company. I can say that you are safer making your own products out of vinegar,soap,bakingsoda and essential oils. We need to rememeber our great grandparents never had many choices when it came to cleaning products and they did just fine with soap, vinegar and water!
I’ve been looking around for some great green cleaning products found www.carribeanmist.com
They sell high-quality environmentally friendly products that are natural, safe, effective AND affordable!
Works wonders!