To ensure your family’s health and the tidiness of your home, it’s essential to have a regular cleaning schedule so you can catch messes and eliminate bacteria before it gets out of control. You may already have a routine, and that’s great, but you may not realize that many of the cleaning agents you're using contain toxic chemicals that can cause illness and sickness over time. It’s important to be informed so you can do what’s right for your house and your family.
What’s Lurking In Your Cleaning Supplies
The sad reality is that many of the common commercial household products you use in every room of your home contain some type of harmful chemical. Many all-purpose cleaners have sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which kills germs on counters. However, it also irritates your eyes and skin. Dish soap contains SLS in addition to phosphates and triclosan, which pollute your water and irritate the animals who also need water to thrive.
Even your air fresheners can be dangerous because many contain harmful chemicals like toluene, benzene, and formaldehyde that are released when they’re burned. Exposure can irritate the skin and throat and can cause nausea and dizziness. Replace traditional air fresheners with natural ingredients like lavender, eucalyptus, and essential oils. Better yet, invest in an electronic air purifier or save money by opening the windows and letting in the fresh air.
There are also some dangerous truths to consider about chemical drain cleaners, including the fact that they release toxic fumes, especially when they’re mixed. The fumes can cause extensive respiratory irritation, and in some cases, can even be fatal. That’s on top of the fact that they’re also rather ineffective because they often don't dissolve the clog but could instead damage your pipes. You’re better off using a plunger or plumber’s snake to release a clog, and you won’t put your family in danger.
Go Non-Toxic
So, if the household chemicals you’ve used for years are so dangerous, what do you use instead? First, you can shop for clean alternatives at the store that purposely omit dangerous ingredients. Companies like Force of Nature, Branch Basics, and Seventh Generation go out of their way to produce non-toxic cleaning agents that clean your house just as well as their toxic competitors.
You can also make your own non-toxic household products. Just about everything you can buy at the store has an alternative that you can produce at home. For instance, instead of buying an all-purpose cleaner, you can combine one teaspoon of soap, one tablespoon of Borax, ½ a cup of vinegar, and one quart of warm water. For bathroom cleaner, you can mix baking soda and castile soap.
There are even simpler alternatives to consider:
● Instead of buying chrome polish, use vinegar.
● Don’t buy scouring powder, but try baking soda.
● Skip the furniture polish and use olive oil.
● Clean your garbage disposal with used lemons.
Vinegar is an incredible tool that has a multitude of uses in your home. You can use it to clean your microwave, countertops, and appliances. You can even use it to remove carpet stains, and you can do it all without concerns of dangerous fumes.
Cleaning Safely Without Any Chemicals At All
You can ensure that you eliminate the chance of exposure to dangerous toxins by adopting a commitment to cleaning safely and avoiding standard cleaning chemicals altogether.For instance, you can use and reuse microfiber cloths for many of your spring cleaning needs. Use them to remove dust from countertops and appliances. Removing dust is essential for your health because it can also lead to respiratory problems when it builds up.
It’s also possible to use your appliances to clean many of your household items, so you don’t need to use cleaners or waste money buying new items. Throw your shower curtain liners in the washing machine with warm water. You can also make your dish sponges last longer by rinsing them and putting them in the dishwasher.
Once you're done, you can clean the appliances themselves with natural elements. Clean your sink by running hot water and adding vinegar and baking soda to break down tough debris. Take care of your dishwasher by filling two cups of vinegar and putting them on the top shelf as you run a cycle. Try to clean it monthly to keep it and your dishes smelling fresh.
Conclusion
While keeping your home clean is a priority, so is protecting yourself and your family, so choose pure cleaning materials and get the job done right while prioritizing safety.
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