Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products vs. Regular Cleaning Products Which is Better?
Want to stay healthy and protect the environment but aren’t sure which to use; eco-friendly cleaning products vs natural cleaning products? This article will help you to make that decision with basic information about both types of cleaning products.
What are green cleaning products?
Green cleaning products or eco-friendly cleaners are gaining popularity as an alternative to conventional cleaners which can contain toxic chemicals which can be harmful to human health as well as our water and our air.
Green cleaning products are not only better for the environment, they also have a positive impact on your health. Unlike conventional cleaning products, natural cleansers don’t contain harsh chemicals and fragrances which can affect your health as well.
Not only are natural cleaners non-toxic and biodegradable, but green products are also as effective at cleaning and in many cases, less expensive than traditional cleaners. Furthermore, these natural cleaning solutions are made with natural ingredients and are safe for use around children and pets.
In addition to the cleaning product being eco-friendly, in most cases the product packaging that is environmentally friendly too.
Do regular cleaning products clean better than natural cleaning products?
There are times when traditional cleaners are needed for heavy-duty jobs or removing tough stains, but in most cases, natural cleaning products are all that you need to keep your home clean. There are a lot of natural cleaning products on the market today, some are better than others. And some natural cleaners will work for heavy-duty jobs.
To find out more about which natural products are best for cleaning projects, here is a link to the Environmental Working Group’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning Database, which is an excellent resource.
Safer alternatives
Once you begin researching eco-friendly products, you will notice that there are plenty of options to choose from. You can make your own green cleaners with ingredients that you already have in your home, or you can purchase packaged products made by Seventh Generation or Method from your local grocery store. There are also other options such as a subscription service such as Grove Collaborative which is a collaborative that supplies natural items for the home.
What common non-toxic household items can be used to clean your home?
The great thing about natural cleaners is that there are so many different items that you can use to clean your home. Natural products such as lemons, baking soda, and white vinegar are just of few.
White vinegar is one of the best natural household cleaners. It’s inexpensive and has so many uses. White vinegar has disinfectant properties and can be used to remove soap scum from hard surfaces like showers and bathtubs. It also works great as a multi-surface cleaner, and glass cleaner and you can use it as a floor cleaner too.
Baking Soda is another inexpensive all-purpose cleaner and is perfect for a bathroom cleaner, scrubbing stains, and cleaning bathroom drains, and shower curtains. It also works great for removing stains from clothing.
Baking soda works best on hard surfaces such as stainless steel. Since baking soda is an abrasive cleaner it should not be used on silver, marble, ceramic cooktops, aluminum, or gold-plated items.
Try this! Mix together 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar, 1/2 cup water, and 12 drops of your favorite essential oil for an all-purpose natural cleaner for your kitchen and bath.
Coconut oil and olive oil are both antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antifungal agents that can be used to clean surfaces or used as a deodorizer.
Use coconut oil or olive to polish the fingerprints off your stainless steel appliances, condition leather furniture, wipe kitchen cabinets, or shine up your silverware.
Lemon Juice is acidic and contains antibacterial properties. It can be used to clean surfaces or as a disinfectant for furniture, dishes, microwave countertops, bathroom fixtures toilets. It’s also a great way to remove grease buildup from your kitchen sink.
Try this! Simply mix one tablespoon of dish soap with a cup of water, and then add one teaspoon of baking soda. Keep it in a spray bottle or jar and use the mixture as a scrub with a natural sponge to clean your dirty surfaces.
Hydrogen peroxide is a non-toxic and a great natural disinfectant. Use peroxide to clean dirty dish scrubbers, sponges, toilet brushes, showers, and the inside of your refrigerator.
Essential oils – are compounds that have been extracted from plants. The compounds are obtained through distillation and combined with carrier oils. They are highly concentrated and most have a pleasant smell.
There is a wide variety of essential oils that are safe and wonderful non-toxic choices for natural cleaning purposes. Lemon oil, tea tree oil, and lavender are just a few.
Are eco-friendly cleaners worth it?
If you want to protect your health and the natural environment, eco-friendly cleaning products are a great way to get started. There are many benefits of using natural cleaners instead of using cleaners with harmful chemicals. For instance, natural cleaners don’t have harsh odors or fumes that might irritate allergies or asthma.
In addition to the environmental impact, you will also save money by not having to buy expensive cleaning supplies all the time. Finally, you’ll be helping the environment by reducing pollution from manufacturing more chemicals and packaging for them.
