Everybody wants to have a clean kitchen. However, in this day and age, it is more imperative to understand that not all of the cleaning products we use in our Farr West homes are safe for our environment. Fortunately, there are many eco-friendly cleaning products accessible now, unlike before to make our kitchens sparkle. In fact, with a few simple ingredients most people already have in their cupboards and with a little creativity, you can create safe, effective, natural cleaning products that cost a fraction of store-bought brands that work just the same or even better.
There are many valid reasons to use eco-friendly cleaning products in the kitchen. Harsh chemicals can be very harmful to your skin, eyes, nose, throat, and respiratory system. Also, they pose a serious threat to any pets or sensitive members of the household. Aside from negative effects on your health, a lot of store-bought cleaning products contain chemicals that can harm the environment as well. Toxic chemicals can always find their way from our kitchen drains into rivers, lakes, and groundwater, killing vegetation, polluting the soil, and poisoning fish and animals.
Eco-friendly products, alternatively, use simple, non-toxic ingredients that are better for the environment. The sad reality is that not all brands that claim to be “natural” or “organic” are truly eco-friendly. There are few federal regulations that define which products can claim to be “natural.” Additionally, there are no regulations that require cleaning product manufacturers to list the ingredients in their products on their packaging.
What this means is that it is up to the informed consumer to either do some research to find the truly eco-friendly brands of cleaning products available or make your own. Actually, some of the best eco-friendly cleaning products you can make or buy contain the same simple ingredients: white vinegar and baking soda. Often used in many variations, these two pantry staples can tackle almost any mess your kitchen can produce. With some other inexpensive, versatile cleaning supplies, you can clean your entire kitchen, floor to ceiling, without resorting to the harsh chemicals included in many store-bought brands.
For instance, sealed wood and tile floors can be cleaned and disinfected with just a little white vinegar, some warm water, and a mop or rag. Though the smell of vinegar may not be all that pleasant, there are still many methods to get rid of that, one being that you could easily add a drop or two of your favorite essential oil to make your kitchen smell great. You can do a similar thing for cleaning one of the messiest parts of your kitchen: inside the oven. Getting that burned-on gunk off your oven’s interior can be a difficult task. But with a little baking soda, water, and some patience, you can use a baking soda paste to remove all that tough grime. To get a better outcome, you will need to allow the baking soda paste to sit overnight before scrubbing.
Similarly, glass and shiny surfaces can also be cleaned with eco-friendly ingredients. To do so, you need to mix together some rubbing alcohol, white vinegar, corn starch, and water in a clean spray bottle. And then simply spray and wipe clean with a lint-free or microfiber cloth. It is better not to use paper towels to clean glass and shiny surfaces since they are not eco-friendly and also tend to leave streaks and bits of paper towel behind.
If making your own cleaning products still doesn’t sound appealing, there are quite a few eco-friendly options now available to try. Most of the more popular brands include Mrs. Meyer’s products, Bon Ami cleansers, and Method brand products. These and similar brands guarantee that their products are both safe and effective, not to mention eco-friendly. A number of these brands even use 100% postconsumer recycled plastics in their packaging.
It does not matter whether you choose to buy or make kitchen cleaning products. It is convincing that once you start, you will never go back to harsh chemicals again. It will not only prevent you and your home from any health problems but also you will be doing your part for the environment, too.
If you are currently looking for a rental home or need help managing your Farr West rental property, contact Real Property Management Northern Utah at 801-546-1770 to talk with an expert Farr West property manager today!
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