You probably take great pains to make your home a safe haven from the world. You lock the doors, turn off the iron, and clean regularly to prevent the spread of germs.
The same things you use to keep your home spotless might be putting you and your family in danger, and you may not even realize it. All-purpose cleaners are great for getting rid of messes, but they may also have harmful side effects.
So, how can you keep your home tidy while still ensuring the safety of its occupants? To begin, you may try utilizing all-natural cleaning products. The following are some things you can do to help maintain a safe and clean home:
First, isolate potentially harmful materials. Substances that are harsh on soil may also be hazardous to human health. The fact that you’re using a product that isn’t regulated by the same agencies doesn’t negate the fact that the Environmental Working Group (EWG) in the United States has a list of cleansers containing dangerous ingredients.
Check the labels on your cleaning products, and be wary of the following:
Diglycol methane (DEGME) (DEGME). The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe has said that this drug “is suspected of harming the unborn child.” Toxic levels of DEGME are not authorized but may be present in certain untested brands of cleaning solutions (one multi-surface cleaner was found to contain 15 times the allowed amount). The EWG detected this cancer-causing substance in one tarnish remover.
2-butoxyethanol. Two-butoxyethanol, which is likely to be included in multipurpose cleansers, may cause eye irritation and damage to red blood cells.
Potassium or sodium hydroxide. Common oven cleaners include this ingredient, which may cause severe burns to the skin, lungs, and eyes.
Those with asthma and those who have never been diagnosed may have an asthma attack if they come into contact with ethanolamine or quaternary ammonium compounds. Possible presence of this hormone-altering chemical in air fresheners.
gaseous organic compounds (VOCs). Air fresheners may contain these cancer-causing chemicals. Despite the absence of conclusive proof to the contrary, experts advise avoiding exposure to phthalates and VOCs in excess.
Don’t be afraid to try out new brands. Consider a product’s biodegradability, low toxicity, low volatile organic compound (VOC) content, decreased packaging, and low life cycle energy usage when making your cleaning product selection, as recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Buyers should think about as many important characteristics of a product as they can, realizing that tradeoffs are inevitable. For example, one product may have a lower volatile organic compound (VOC) content because it was made with renewable resources, while another may be more affordable because it did not use renewable resources.
To clean 2 Use all-natural products that get the job done. It’s possible to substitute some of the conventional store-bought cleansers you currently use with homemade versions including essential oils. Essential oils, for instance, may be used on furniture; just be sure to test them out in a hidden spot before applying them everywhere. Pantry staples like lemons, vinegar, and baking soda may also be used for cleaning purposes. Want some premade cleaning supplies? You may see this inventory by going to our web shop.
Third, close up all possible entry points for germs from the outside world. Be sure to always do a thorough hand washing, but especially if you or a member of your household is sick. Also, drain any standing water that might attract mosquitoes and spread disease. This includes water left in vases, which should be kept covered.
4 Recognize your context. Because protecting the environment begins at home, a green home is a healthy home. In general, you should avoid purchasing products that include potentially harmful materials for the environment. Some detergents include chemicals that may seep into the ground and eventually end up in the ocean. (Most powders contain a higher concentration of chemicals than liquids.) It’s possible that the packaging will be discarded as well. More materials that cannot be decomposed? You know, the synthetic sponges that you toss out every few weeks.
When possible, go for greener alternatives. It’s important to choose detergents that don’t include chemicals that are harmful to marine life yet still get the job done. In an effort to lessen the environmental impact caused by packing, you should take use of any local refilling stations for household goods. You can help the environment by not using paper towels and instead using reusable dish towels. As an alternative to synthetic sponges, cellulose sponges break down naturally over time. Cellulose sponges, manufactured from plant matter, hemp fibers, and sulphate crystals, are far more eco-friendly. To refresh and disinfect your sponge, try using vinegar or non-chlorine bleach. Food particles might become lodged in the fibers, so be careful to clean them thoroughly after use.
- Bring some indoor plants inside. Having houseplants around might help to soften the mood in the house. Not only can they make a space seem more alive and welcoming, but research suggests they may also remove as much as 87% of air pollutants daily! Most people agree that aloe vera, snake plants, and pothos are the best indoor plants.
