Top 3 Green Cleaning Essentials

Many people now realize the toxic effects of many household cleaning products on our health. Because of that, some people are now switching to green cleaning solutions which involve the use of non-toxic products. If you are one of those who observe green cleaning, there are top three green cleaning essentials you may find useful in your home:

1. Vinegar – Vinegar is one of the most effective green cleaning essentials you should always have. Don’t worry about the smell because it normally evaporates right after cleaning. You could use white vinegar or apple cider vinegar to remove stains. Here are some practical uses of vinegar:

• Use a 50:50 solution of vinegar and water to clean mirrors and to remove hard water stains on glass surfaces. You could use the same solution for cleaning your tub, but let the solution soak for at least 15 minutes before rinsing.
• Keep an equal solution of water and vinegar in a spray bottle to spray the bottom edge of your shower curtains after every bath to prevent mildew.
• To mop and disinfect your floor, mix one gallon of water with a cup of vinegar. Soak your mop in this solution for a while before mopping.
• Mix a 60:40 solution of vinegar and hot water in a small basin and add a few drops of olive oil. Use this solution to clean and leave a shiny effect on your wooden furniture and cabinets.
• Pour pure white vinegar into a spray bottle and use it in the kitchen to clean your stoves and countertops, as it is effective in cutting down grease.
• Use pure vinegar to get rid of urine smells in the bathroom or in the cat litter box.
• Use half a cup of vinegar in the rinse cycle to soften clothes. You could also apply a cup of vinegar in your regular load to whiten the whites.

2. Baking Soda – Another inexpensive and safe green cleaning essential is baking soda. Baking soda has various uses for cleaning your kitchen and bathroom, which includes:

• As a substitute for bleach in cleaning your tub, toilet and sink; it is especially good for porcelain sinks.
• Aside from vinegar, you could also use baking soda to clean your stove and remove greases.
• Baking soda can also clean and disinfect your stainless steel sink.
• You could use baking soda as a deodorizer for your kitchen, bathroom and refrigerator.

3. Rubbing Alcohol – Rubbing alcohol may also be used as a less toxic substitute for many cleaning products. It can be used for the following purposes:

• Disinfectant in the bathroom; you could use it to quickly disinfect toilet seats.
• You should also keep a bottle of rubbing alcohol in the kitchen to disinfect the exterior of the refrigerator door at least twice a day.
• To give your faucet a sparkling effect, you could clean it with a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol.
• You could use it to wash your hand to cut down germs, especially when preparing food in the kitchen.

These top three green cleaning essentials are cheap and environment-friendly. Be sure to keep them handy in your home.