How to Choose Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products for Your Home

In this article, we’ll be exploring those products which omit harmful chemicals like bleach and/or chlorine in their contents. We’ll also look at which products (and cleaning apparatus) are biodegradable, and how you can identify eco-friendly cleaning products by reading labels. Let’s get started!

Why is it Important to Use Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products?

Homemakers across South Africa have been asking the question, “What are the benefits of using eco-friendly cleaning products?” These products have become more and more popular as consumers educate themselves on the advantages of using them. So what’s the big attraction?

Safe Disposal

One of the most important benefits of using eco-friendly cleaning products is that you can throw them away with a ‘clean’ conscience. These products are biodegradable and won’t add to the landfill waste problems of our planet.

Gentle on the Skin

Because of the omission of harmful chemicals such as bleach and chlorine, your skin will love you for choosing natural cleaning products. Hard chemicals tend to cause chemical burns, skin irritation, and severe dryness & hardening of the skin. People who clean often want to obviously avoid that!

Gentle on the Lungs

Fumes from these chemicals as well as aerosols in many of the spray products used can cause eye and respiratory irritation. Breathing in these chemicals is simply not good for anyone and can lead to all types of illnesses and even cancer.

Non-Corrosive Compounds

Chemical products often add corrosive compounds to their products to ensure the removal of tough stains. However, this will also cause damage to your surfaces over time. Eco-friendly house cleaning products that contain non-corrosive compounds add longevity to your surfaces and furniture.

Save on Protective Gear

Because of all these benefits, you’ll manage to save money on overalls, latex gloves, and masks while cleaning your home. Natural ingredients in cleaning products negate the need for protective gear because they are safe on your skin, safe to breathe in, and safe on your eyes.

How to Choose the Right Eco-Friendly Products for Your Home

If you want to get serious about using eco-friendly cleaning products, you must learn to read the labels of the products you’re buying. We have six tips that will make this easier for you:

Tip #1: Check the Ingredients

There are lots of natural ingredients that have innate cleaning and disinfecting properties. These include:

• vinegar

• citrus extracts

• essential oils

• baking soda

• hydrogen peroxide

• plant-based solvents

Avoid buying cleaning products that contain bleach, chlorine, ammonia, petroleum, or phosphates of any kind.

Tip #2: Research the Manufacturer

By hopping online, you can gauge just how serious a manufacturer is about bringing you an eco-friendly cleaning product option. You can also look out for certifications of eco-friendliness which many green manufacturers display.

Tip #3: Look Out for Biodegradable Friendly Products

If a product is biodegradable, it will usually state that on the labelling. Check for this assurance before buying your next cleaning product.

Tip #4: Note the Packaging

Does the packaging of the product you’re considering have any indication that it’s made from recycled materials? Manufacturers who are serious about the environment will always package their products in recycled plastic, paper, or metal containers.

Tip #5: Pay Attention to the Fragrances

Synthetic fragrances contain aerosols that damage the lungs as well as the ozone of our planet. Opt for natural fragrances such as citrus or essential oils.

Tip #6: Find Biodegradable Cleaning Tools

The tools you use to clean your home are just as important as the cleaning substances. Using scrubbing brushes and cloths that can be safely disposed of without adding to our landfills is a responsible and easy way to clean.

Exploring Homemade Eco-Friendly Solutions

Is it worth investing in products that are homemade? Absolutely! While many homemakers can make their own cleaning products, many of them prefer to save time and buy from someone who has already done the work for them.

Furniture polish, air fresheners, and even glass cleaners are often the solutions of people who produce them at home. These eco-friendly house cleaning products are often safe to use in your home and don’t contain any harmful chemicals. Always check the labels though to make sure of this.

Time-Saving Cleaning Tips

How can you save time on cleaning your home and make time for your family and other projects? Here are some helpful tips:

The Clean Routine

Instead of spending hours cleaning once a week, why not do a little bit of maintenance every day? By establishing a daily cleaning routine, you’ll end up spending 20 – 40 minutes instead of gruelling hours on your cleaning.

Start from the Top

Start high and work your way down. Cleaning goes quicker if you can identify where you’ve already cleaned, and where you still need to move on to.

Pre-Treat Stubborn Grime

Did you notice that stubborn stain? Pre-treat it with your eco-friendly cleaning supplies and leave it for later to ensure easy removal.

Deep Clean Regularly

Ovens are a good example for this tip. Don’t wait months before you deep clean grime off an appliance. Maintain it regularly to avoid those hour-long struggles of deep cleaning.

Use Eco-Friendly Multipurpose Cleaners

Use products that can be used on all types of surfaces, so that you don’t have to continually chop-and-change your cleaning supplies while cleaning.

Organize Your Supplies

Get yourself efficient cleaning tools and eco-friendly cleaning products. Then organize them all in one place for easy access.

Using eco-friendly cleaning products is a responsible and conscientious habit to get into. Save both time and money by purchasing products that don’t harm the environment or your family. For more eco-friendly tips and tricks, visit Cleanipedia today!