Green home cleaning: a complete guide

Use these tips to get a sparkling home without the nasty residues commercial cleaning products leave behind.

Green cleaning is a safe, effective alternative to chemical products if you want to keep your home healthy and tidy. Use these tips to get a sparkling home without the nasty residues commercial cleaning products leave behind.

You can make most green home cleansers with a few simple products, many of which you may already have on hand. You'll need baking soda, vinegar, essential oils, and water.

Kitchen counters, table tops, and bathroom sinks can be cleaned with a homemade spray. A blend of vinegar, water, and essential oils is enough for everyday messes. Fill a spray bottle with about two cups (475 millilitres) of vinegar, and then add a few drops of tea tree, lavender, or orange essential oil, then use in place of commercial cleaner.

Combine baking soda and a small amount of your favourite essential oil. Sprinkle the mixture on your carpet before you vacuum. You'll get a clean rug without using chemical-laden carpet powders. Cleaning out your vacuum's filter will help you go green as well because you'll use less electricity if the machine is efficient. Combine a 450 gram box of baking soda with 15 drops of essential oil in a plastic container and stir to blend. Pour into a shaker bottle and use on the rug 30 minutes before you vacuum for best results.

Spray windows and mirrors with a mixture of vinegar and water. Wipe them with newspaper for streak-free cleaning. This is a great way to use up old newspapers and keep from using too many paper towels. Combining one part vinegar with one part water yields a just-right mirror cleaner.

Toilet bowl cleansers are not only full of chemicals, but they are hazards to the kids and pets in your home. Replace lye and other harsh ingredients with a simple trick instead. Pour 60 grams of baking soda into the bowl, and use a brush to scrub the surfaces. Let the baking soda sit for half an hour before pouring vinegar into the bowl. Watch the resulting foam whisk away any lingering stains. This trick also works on tubs, sinks, and showers.

The chemicals used to dry clean your clothing can leach into your home and impact your air quality. Ditch the dry cleaner or switch to one that uses green products for better air at home. You can improve your home laundry as well. Simple, hazard-free products like baking soda and real soap can be used in your washer. These cleaners perform as well as their detergent-based counterparts. Soapnuts can replace soap entirely. Not only are they green plant products, but they also last through multiple washings.

By switching to green cleaning and ditching the chemicals, you're making a better choice for your home, your family, and the planet. You'll also see a reduction in your cleaning costs by going green!