Everybody wants to have a clean kitchen. But nowadays, it is necessary to understand that not all of the cleaning products we use in our Chesapeake homes are safe for our environment. The good news is that there are a few eco-friendly cleaning products accessible now than ever before to make our kitchens sparkle. Actually, with a few simple ingredients most people already have in their cupboards, you can make safe, effective, natural cleaning products that cost a fraction of store-bought brands that work the same or better.
There are a lot of 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. Furthermore, they pose a serious threat to any pets or sensitive members of the household. Besides the negative effects on your health, lots of store-bought cleaning products contain chemicals that can harm the environment as well. Toxic chemicals can migrate from our kitchen drains into rivers, lakes, and groundwater, killing vegetation, polluting the soil, and poisoning fish and animals.
Eco-friendly products, on the other hand, use simple, non-toxic ingredients that are better for the environment. Even though there are many stores selling organic products, the problem here 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.” Furthermore, 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. As a matter of fact, some of the best eco-friendly cleaning products you can make or buy contain the same simple ingredients: white vinegar and baking soda, those products can use in many ways, and these two pantry staples can tackle almost any mess your kitchen can produce. With a few different common, 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. Most of us admit that the smell of vinegar may not be all that pleasant, but you could easily add a drop or two of your favorite essential oil to make your kitchen smell great. Just do the same method 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 there is a solution for that, with a little baking soda, water, and some patience, you can use a baking soda paste to remove all that tough grime. For the best result, all you need to do is allow the baking soda paste to sit overnight before scrubbing.
So also, glass and shiny surfaces can also be cleaned with eco-friendly ingredients. To do so, you can mix together some rubbing alcohol, white vinegar, corn starch, and water in a clean spray bottle. Then simply spray and wipe clean with a lint-free or microfiber cloth. It’s a good idea 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. 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 lot of these brands also utilize 100% postconsumer recycled plastics in their packaging.
It does not matter whether you choose to buy or make kitchen cleaning products, and it is possible that once you start, you may never go back to harsh chemicals again. You are not only defending yourself and your household from harsh chemicals but also you will be doing your part for the environment, too.
If you’re currently looking for a rental home or need some assistance by managing your Chesapeake rental property, simply contact Real Property Management Hampton Roads at 757-395-4274 to talk to skilled Chesapeake property manager today![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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