Some things are better than a squeaky clean kitchen. However, not all of the cleaning supplies we use in our Watertown residences are good for the environment. The good news is that there are now more sustainable cleaning products available than ever before. In fact, with a few basic items you likely already have in your kitchen, you can produce safer, impactful, natural cleaning products for a fraction of the price of store-bought goods that work just as well or better.
Why Use Eco-Friendly Products?
There are major benefits to using eco-friendly cleaning equipment in the kitchen. Harsh chemicals can be exceedingly damaging to your nose, skin, eyes, respiratory system, and throat. In addition, they represent a grave danger to animals and vulnerable people in the household. Several store-bought cleaning solutions contain ingredients that are harmful to the environment in addition to their detrimental effect on your health. By entering rivers, lakes, and groundwater through our kitchen sink drains, toxic chemicals can damage plants, contaminate the soil, and poison fish and other creatures.
On the other hand, environmentally safe cleaning products employ straightforward, non-toxic components. However, not all “natural” or “organic” brands are environmentally friendly. Certain federal restrictions specify which items may use the term “natural.” Additionally, there are no laws requiring producers of cleaning products to identify the chemicals on the packaging of their goods. This implies that it is the responsibility of the informed consumer to either research the truly eco-friendly cleaning product brands that are available or manufacture their own.
Simple Ingredients = Safer Cleaning
Many of the best homemade and store-bought eco-friendly cleaning products involve the same two simple substances: baking soda and white vinegar. Used in varied combinations, these two pantry essentials can handle practically any mess your kitchen can make. You can clean the whole kitchen, from floor to ceiling, without using the dangerous chemicals found in many store-bought brands if you use a few other common cleaning equipment. Here are a few examples:
- Floors: White vinegar, warm water, and a mop or towel can be used to wash and sterilize tile floors and sealed wood. While the scent of vinegar may not be particularly nice, you could simply add a drop or two of your preferred essential oil to make your kitchen smell good.
- Ovens: Sometimes it’s difficult to remove the baked-on gunk from the inside of your oven. But you can use a baking soda paste to get rid of all that difficult filth if you have a small bit of baking soda, water, and persistence. Let the baking soda paste set overnight before cleaning for the best results.
- Glass and shiny surfaces: To cleanse glass or other polished surfaces, combine cornstarch, white vinegar, water, and rubbing alcohol in a sterile spray bottle. After that, spray and use a microfiber or lint-free cloth to clean. Paper towels are not eco-friendly and frequently leave streaks and paper towel remnants behind when used to wipe the glass and bright surfaces.
Buy or DIY?
If crafting your own cleaning solutions still doesn’t sound tempting, there are several eco-friendly solutions now. Bon Ami cleansers, Mrs. Meyer’s detergents, and Method products are among the most widely recognized brands. These and other comparable companies promise that their goods are not only eco-friendly but also safe and efficient. Even the packaging for some of these companies uses only 100% post-consumer recycled plastic.
After you learn about the advantages of eco-friendly cleaners, you might never go back to using harsh chemicals in your kitchen cleaning products again, whether you decide to buy them or create them yourself. You’ll not only protect your property and yourself, but you’ll also be helping to protect the planet.
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Originally Published on February 28, 2020