Top five green cleaning tips

By now you may have heard the hazards of extreme cleaners that perform anti-bacterial overkill and the toxic potential of synthetic chemicals such as ammonia and chlorine.

You do have a choice when it comes to how you clean your house, and there are a number of green-friendly brands on the market.

I've personally tried and tested quite a few of them, looking for ease of use and affordable price. I really do hate to clean, so anything that makes it easier, faster, cheaper, and better for the planet is a win.

Here are some of my favorite options:

 

Do the earth-friendly laundry

Everyone wants clean, soft, fresh-smelling clothes and linens, which may be why eco-friendly laundry detergents have felt they can get away with charging more to do the right thing. I found Ecos Laundry Detergent by Earth Friendly Products to be a good detergent at a good price.

I tried several other brands from Seventh Generation to Trader Joe's, and Ethos works just as well without charging more. It smells good (with three scents to choose from), it only takes a couple of ounces to clean a full load, and it includes a coconut-based fabric softener. I was also happy to find it in my local grocery store so I didn't have to make trip to a specialty boutique.

Search for more eco-laundry detergents.

Find an eco-friendly dry cleaner.

 

Wipe up the greens

There's nothing like a quick wipe-down to make a place feel clean. Save on paper towels with pre-moistened biodegradable wipes. In my personal test, Clorox Green Works Natural Cleaning Wipes beat out Method's Flushable Bathroom Cleaner Wipes, which tended to fall apart while wiping. These are great for toilet sets and bathtub basins.

Countertops that need a little extra help get the natural treatment with Seventh Generation All Purpose Cleaner. I found that this plant-based, nontoxic cleaner is great for removing counter stains. Spray a bit directly on the spot and let set for a few minutes.

For simple dusting and cleaning mirrors, I've become a big fan of microfiber towels. These handy little reusable cloths don't even require a liquid cleaning product to get the job done -- just get one cloth damp with water to wipe away dirt and dust, and then use a dry one to wipe clean.

The micro fibers really pick up, and even mirrors and faucets come clean without streaking. When you're done, toss them in the laundry to wash and use again.

Search for more eco-friendly cleaning wipes.

 

Scrub the nontoxic floors

While you can use Seventh Generation All Purpose Cleaner to do a quick mop on tiled floors (not wood), I also like Method's Squirt + Mop Floor Cleaner in lemon ginger. This nontoxic, biodegradable cleaner contains a hint of baking soda to mop kitchen tiles. It dries fast and leaves no residue.

Method also makes a similar product for hard wood floors. The company's products for "People Against Dirty" have a huge following for being affordable, having nice-looking and eco-friendly packaging, and being easy to find at big chain stores including Target and Bed Bath and Beyond.

Search for more eco-friendly floor cleaners.

 

Make your own cleaners (and save money)

Pretty much everything in your house can be cleaned with a few simple natural ingredients picked up at your next trip to the grocery store.

A big $2 jug of white vinegar will go a long way when all you have to do is mix it 50/50 with water in a spray bottle and make an all-purpose cleaner that also helps disinfect.  A few drops of orange natural essence, (available at natural food stores such as Whole Foods) will help temper the vinegar smell.

Scrubbing with a little lemon juice and baking soda will remove stains from countertops and inside kitchen sinks. And try olive oil or flaxseed oil to polish wood furniture.

Get tips for removing stains with natural ingredients.

Search for more homemade cleaning recipes.

 

Hire green cleaning help

No time or energy to clean?  Delegate! Eco-friendly maid services are starting to boom with demand. Most come armed with a host of eco-friendly products; others have their own brands they use exclusively.

Let them do all the wiping and scrubbing while you sit back and enjoy a clean, fresh-smelling home that doesn't leave any harmful afterthoughts. If you can't find a green maid in your area, hire a regular one and insist they use the eco-friendly products you provide for them.

Search for eco-friendly maid services.

Search for eco-friendly furniture upholstery and carpet cleaners.

 

A clean home shouldn't be a toxic hazard for you, your children, your pets, or the planet. With a host of products on the market or some easy (and penny-conscious) DIY recipes, there's no reason to pick up a chemical cleaner again.

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