Cleaning Rags: Tips for Green Cleaning

Cleaning rags have been a great tool for many people who are shifting to green cleaning. The negative health effects of chemical cleaning products are very alarming that we really need to lessen the use of these chemicals. Additionally, the bottles and plastics take so much space in the kitchen and fill in the landfills as well. These chemical products are more expensive when compared to natural homemade cleaning materials.

Today, we are going to share with you, tips and tricks on how you can have a smooth transition from chemical based cleaning to green cleaning.  It’s really time for you to get rid of those toxic chemicals that are found in your cupboards and cabinets. Look forward to safe, clean and green cleaning alternatives. You may not know it, but this practical move can save you and your family from serious health conditions. Check out the following tips below:

• Use Microfiber Cleaning Rags

Using microfiber cleaning rags is effective and efficient. You don’t have to use additional harmful chemicals to get rid of dirt, dust and grime. Look for quality microfiber cloth that can last up to 300-500 washes. Also, use cloths that have better anti-bacterial cleaning effect compared to cheaper cleaning rags. It’s really okay to spend more on having quality microfiber cleaning rags.

• Vinegar

White vinegar has been proven effective. It’s an excellent cleaning solution that is very affordable. It can loosen dirt, disinfect, and deodorize.

• Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen Peroxide is an excellent non-toxic disinfectant and it is very effective for stain removal. Just make sure to use the 3% solution that is generally found in drug stores, must be stored in its original container, and should be kept away from direct sunlight.

• Baking Soda

Many people are using baking soda as a deodorizer to get rid of smells from carpets and other upholstered products. It also cleans effectively in the bathroom and kitchen.

• Lemon

Lemon is excellent for bleaching and disinfecting. It’s a great alternative for removing mold. It also gives a fresh lemon scent. Simply squeeze the lemon juice and use it to clean the kitchen or bathroom counters.

• Essential Oils

Essential oils add pleasing smell to your homemade green cleaners. They’re also good for getting rid of mold and mildew.

There are safer cleaning alternatives that you can use at home for green cleaning. The examples listed above are basic options that can help you switch from chemical based cleaning to green cleaning.

Cleaning rags are an outstanding material that can hugely eliminate the use of chemical cleaners. It’s true that it’s easy and convenient to just pick your commercial cleaning products from department stores; however, it is more rewarding when you know that you are using safe homemade cleaning materials for your family and the environment.

Microfiber Cloths: Tips in Cleaning Your Attic Using the Eco-Friendly Method

Attics left uncleaned can build a huge space for mold, which can badly affect your entire home! Mold is every homeowner’s worst enemy and it can quickly tear away the foundation of your whole house.  The attic is also the favorite hideout of rodents such as rats, possums and raccoons. These nuisances may likely disturb your sleep at night with their strange sounds. Worst, these pests can leave you with allergens, rat droppings, and dust that are safely hidden away in the attic.

To guide you in keeping the attic clean and treat attic odors of all sorts, here are some tips and tricks on how you can efficiently clean the attic in a natural and toxic free manner. Using environmentally friendly cleaning products keeps such as Microfiber Cloths your family safe from the risk of toxic fumes coming from chemical based products.

• Initially, ensure that you are using safety gears such as goggles, a breathing mask, and rubber gloves to protect yourself from allergens and other toxins while cleaning the attic.

• Sort out and organize everything that you have stored up. Take out everything from your attic. Seal your things in plastic bags or boxes and bring them outside so that they may have some time to dry.

• Look for mold most especially in areas where moisture commonly occurs, such as window frames and pipe fixtures among others. Clean it up using a moisten microfiber cloth, an old towel or rag. For your natural cleaning solution, combine tea tree oil and white vinegar with water. This formula is very effective against fungi.  Put it in a spray bottle and apply it on the mold. Otherwise, you can also use hydrogen peroxide mixed with water for cleaning. Find leaks and seal it. Leaks can grow mold, therefore, make sure to seal loose shingles, broken windows and rotting wood.

• Clean the attic dust using an electrostatically charged cloth, rag or microfiber cloths. These items can clean two times as much dust compared to other cleaning products. Dust every surface that requires cleaning and begin from the top heading way down toward the floor.

• If you choose to vacuum your attic, a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) vacuum cleaner performs a better job compared to the usual home vacuum cleaners. A HEPA can remove even unwanted microscopic elements from the air. Alternatively, you can also use a high-efficiency filter bag for your vacuum.

Keeping the attic clean helps in maintaining your home’s real estate value. Positively, regular cleaning prevents serious problems such as mold damage and rodent invasion. Cleaning the attic may be back breaking and time consuming, but the rewards are worth it.

Photo Credit:  bsalomon via Flickr.com

Lint Free and Green Cleaning Tips

Lint free cleaning is achievable using microfiber cloths. Microfiber cloths offer the highest quality of cleaning. It gives effective scratch free, streak free and lint free cloth performance. It cleans surfaces, making it crystal clear, smudge and dirt-free screens just like new and safe for even the most sensitive surfaces.

Lint free microfiber cloths also help you achieve safe and eco-friendly cleaning. Many of us are conscious about the products we use and we care the impact of chemicals to our health and the environment. Fortunately, shifting to natural cleaning materials is an excellent move not only for our health, but for Mother Earth as well.

Here are means and ways on how you can achieve clean laundry, shiny dishes and spotless kitchen using safe and eco-friendly products:

• Use microfiber cloths

Microfiber helps you to lessen the use of paper towels and harmful chemicals. You can actually have a spotless kitchen and clean windows using microfiber cloth and plain water only. Likewise, you can use a microfiber cloth to wipe and de-scratch LCD monitor, DSLR lens, and other highly delicate screens.

• Cola and foil is best for polishing chrome

Surely, you want your chrome to look great, clean and sparkling. However, accumulated dirt and discoloration can make it look old and dirty. The good news is that you don’t need chemical based cleaning materials to achieve a spotless surface. Simply, use a little cola such as Coke or Pepsi to clean chrome surfaces. You’ll be amazed how you can maintain the eye-catching shine you always wanted!

• Salt for cleaning

Salt is best for cleaning spilled eggs. Simply sprinkle a good dose of table salt on the egg and leave it for 10-15 minutes. The spilled egg will have a semi-solid mass that you can pick up easily. You don’t need to use plenty of paper towels or wash a messy rug just to clean up spilled eggs.

• Isopropyl Alcohol

Isopropyl Alcohol is very effective as a disinfectant. You can always use it to aid your home cleaning.

• Cornstarch

Cornstarch is excellent for cleaning windows, polishing furniture, cleaning carpets and rugs.

• Citrus Solvent

Citrus cleaner is best to wash paint brushes, oil and grease, and some stains.

There are no specific criteria that qualify a product as green. However, using biodegradable cleaning products with ingredients from plants is better that using chemical based cleaning materials.   Using lint free microfiber cleaning cloths and applying natural alternative cleaning strategies is highly recommended in every household today. It’s inexpensive, easy to use, and most of all safe.