Introduction
Keeping a clean home is important for health and wellbeing. However, many cleaning products contain harsh chemicals that can be harmful to people and the environment. Fortunately, there are many simple, eco-friendly ways to deep clean each room in your home. As someone who cares about green living, I want to keep my home as naturally clean as possible. Here are my top tips for eco-friendly deep cleaning room-by-room.
Kitchen
The kitchen can be one of the most chemically-laden rooms when it comes to cleaning. Here are some natural ways to make your kitchen sparkle:
Countertops
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Make a non-toxic cleaner by combining 1 part vinegar with 1 part water in a spray bottle. Spritz counters and wipe clean with a microfiber cloth. The acidity in vinegar naturally disinfects.
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For extra scrubbing power, make a paste with baking soda and water. Apply with a sponge or brush and rinse clean. Baking soda is a mild abrasive that gets rid of grime.
Sink
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Remove hard water stains by rubbing lemon halves directly on the sink. Let sit for 5 minutes before rinsing clean. The citric acid in lemons helps descale.
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For disinfecting, sprinkle baking soda down the drain at night. In the morning, follow with boiling water to freshen pipes. Baking soda alkalizes drain water, making it inhospitable to germs.
Appliances
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Clean the microwave by placing a bowl of vinegar inside and microwaving on high for 2 minutes. Steam from heated vinegar loosens grime. Wipe down walls with a cloth.
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Deodorize the refrigerator by placing a small open box of baking soda inside for several days. Baking soda absorbs odors naturally.
Floors
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Mop tile floors using a solution of 1/4 cup white vinegar, a few drops of tea tree oil, and water. Vinegar sanitizes floors while tea tree oil adds a refreshing scent.
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For extra dirty floors, sprinkle baking soda and let sit for 15 minutes before sweeping. Baking soda absorbs grease and dirt.
Bathrooms
Bathrooms harbor lots of germs and require heavy-duty cleaning. Here are some effective green bathroom cleaning solutions:
Toilet
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Pour 1/2 cup baking soda into the toilet bowl. Let sit overnight before scrubbing clean in the morning. Baking soda is a mild abrasive that breaks down grime.
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For extra scrubbing power, make a paste with baking soda and castile soap. Spread paste over porcelain using a toilet brush. Let sit before scrubbing and flushing.
Sink
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Remove soap scum with a paste of baking soda and vinegar. Apply paste to faucet and sink surfaces. Let bubble for 5 minutes then scrub and rinse.
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Unclog drains by pouring 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain followed by 1/2 cup vinegar. Let fizz for 10-15 minutes then rinse with hot water.
Shower/Tub
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Spray surfaces with a mixture of 1 part vinegar and 2 parts water. Let sit for a few minutes before wiping down with a cloth.
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For soap scum, make a paste with baking soda and water. Gently scrub paste onto surfaces using a soft cloth or brush. Rinse clean.
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To deodorize, place a mesh bag filled with dried lavender flowers near the drain. Lavender naturally freshens air.
Mirrors/Windows
- Make a vinegar cleaning spray by combining 2 parts water, 1 part vinegar, and a few drops of essential oil like lemon or lavender in a spray bottle. Spritz and wipe clean with newspaper or a lint-free cloth.
Bedrooms
Bedrooms are full of linens, bedding, and upholstered furniture that require regular deep cleaning. Here are some effective green techniques:
Linens
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Add 1/2 cup baking soda along with detergent to your normal wash cycle for extra brightening. Vinegar can also be used as a fabric softener.
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For tough stain removal, make a paste with baking soda and water. Gently rub paste onto stains and let sit for 30 minutes before washing. The abrasive properties of baking soda help lift stains.
Mattresses
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Deodorize mattresses by sprinkling liberally with baking soda. Let sit for an hour before vacuuming up. Baking soda absorbs odors and freshens.
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For deep cleaning, vacuum mattress first then sprinkle with baking soda. Spritz lightly with vinegar water to make the baking soda fizz. Let bubble for 10-15 minutes then vacuum up.
Upholstered Furniture
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Refresh upholstery by sprinkling baking soda liberally over surfaces. Let sit for 15 minutes before vacuuming up. The microscopic crystals of baking soda help lift dirt from fabrics.
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Remove stains by making a paste from baking soda and water. Gently dab onto stain and let sit for 30 minutes. Wipe clean with a cloth.
Living Spaces
Living rooms, family rooms, and dens also require regular deep cleaning. Here are some effective DIY solutions:
Carpets
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Deodorize carpets by sprinkling liberally with baking soda. For high traffic areas, let sit overnight before vacuuming up in the morning.
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For stubborn carpet stains, apply a paste made from baking soda and water. Gently scrub into stain using a clean cloth, allow to dry fully, then vacuum up. The mild abrasive properties of baking soda help lift discoloration.
Upholstered Furniture
- Refresh upholstery by mixing 1 cup baking soda with 5-10 drops essential oil like lemon or lavender. Sprinkle mixture over furniture and let sit overnight before vacuuming.
Hard Floors
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Mop hard floors with a solution of warm water and castile soap. For an extra clean floor, add a cup of vinegar to a bucket of water and mop floors. Vinegar disinfects effectively.
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Mix lemon juice with water in a spray bottle. Spritz over floors and wipe clean. Lemon juice cuts through grease and leaves floors streak-free.
Conclusion
With a little creativity, you can deep clean your entire home using natural ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils. Not only are these methods eco-friendly, they are inexpensive and effective at disinfecting every room. Next time your home needs a refresh, try these simple green cleaning solutions for a sparkling clean home.
