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Open the cleaning cupboard in most kitchens and you will find a veritable arsenal of cleaning products for use all around the home. Not only do these products pollute the home environment, but when you throw away the last remnants of them they continue to pollute the wider environment. In addition, greater quantities of bleach and detergent are discharged to sewers from domestic households than from factories manufacturing them. Don't forget, too, the cumulative effect of all that plastic packaging on our landfill sites, too. Unfortunately, manufacturers are not required to list specific ingredients on labels so you do not necessarily know what you are getting. Many products not only threaten the environment but may also cause certain allergies and diseases in those people using them and living in the chemical fog they generate. No one needs more than one or two cleaners at most, and you could probably get away with nontoxic home-made cleaners for most of your needs. But if you do wish to buy a particular cleaning product, go for the one without synthetic chemicals, that is rapidly biodegradable, phosphate free, chlorine free, vegetable oil based, unscented, dye free and concentrated. Liquid soap, for example, is a safe option, especially if it is perfume and color free. So make sure you have plenty of the best-quality, natural soap you can afford - it will meet most of your cleaning needs. TIP Cloths and mops come in a variety of materials, most of which do not appeal to the environmentally aware. The greenest products are those that can be reused rather than thrown away, so avoid foam mops and sponge scourers, and go for cotton dishcloths and string mops that can be washed and used again. Sodium carbonate crystals, or baking soda, used to feature in most kitchens. It is more eco-friendly than detergents and can be used to clean floors, tiles and work surfaces - just dissolve the crystals in warm water. If you add some crystals to your washing-up water you can also reduce the amount of washing-up liquid you need to use. Washing/soda crystals are also useful for cleaning fridges, freezers and plastic containers. Plus you can try soaking stained clothing in dissolved crystals before washing it to remove stubborn marks. When you are buying household cleaners, try to purchase them in the largest possible containers, avoiding PVC packaging, and refill small pump-action spray bottles for use around the home to save on packaging. |
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