When it comes to green cleaning stereotypes, two pictures easily come to mind. I think of expensive all-natural sprays … and ultra-thrifty, DIY cleaning concoctions made of some combination of white vinegar and baking soda.
Nothing’s wrong with either method. Both approaches are safe to use. But some of the sprays are just a little too pricey for many homemakers. And the safe, DIY cleaners require an awful lot of elbow grease – and frequent cleaning. (If you like to clean, that’s not a bad thing. If you dread cleaning, you really need to find an easier solution.)
Image by shebaduhkitty
Store-bought cleaners
If you don’t have time to make your own safe cleaning products, you’ll need to buy some. Before you grab a random cleaning product that’s advertised as “natural” or “green,” do your homework first.
The Environmental Working Group has rated cleaning products for safety – their Guide to Healthy Cleaning is worth checking out before you head to the store.
Or, you can delve into the Accidentally Green archives and learn more about the safety – and dangers – of certain cleaning products:
- 3 Ways to Find Safe and Simple Cleaning Products
- Finding Safe Laundry Products
- Detoxing Your Cleaning Supplies
- Kitchens and Bathrooms: Do You Know the Safest Ways to Clean Them?
- Why Are Oven Cleaners So Toxic?
- Discovering the Dangers of Bathroom Cleaners
- Is Murphy Oil Soap Safe Enough For My Family?
- You’ll Never Guess Why I Can’t Use Fels-Naptha Soap
- Greener Ways to Clean
- How Clean Are Your Cleaning Supplies?
- Creating a Healthy Home
Image by Seamann
Homemade cleaners
You may absolutely love to make your own cleaning products – the thriftiness or resourcefulness may be very attractive to you! If so, check out some of recipes for:
- Safe, Natural Alternatives to Bleach
- Fabric Softener Alternatives
- Making Your Own Safe Bathroom Cleaners
- An Improved Homemade Oven Cleaner
- Greening Your Cleaning
Another safe cleaning method
A couple years ago I discovered Norwex cleaning cloths – they’re microfiber with silver woven into the microfiber. (The silver is naturally antibacterial and antimicrobial.)
After trying out their products – and loving them – I completely switched over to Norwex. I don’t use any store-bought cleaning sprays, and I don’t use any homemade cleaning sprays – just Norwex microfiber and tap water. For every single surface in my home.
While Norwex was an investment upfront, I haven’t had to buy a single cleaning product since. (Since the Norwex lasts so long, I know it’s been more than a year since I’ve bought any Norwex or cleaning product – and that is a welcome financial savings!)
Image by Norwex
I appreciate Norwex so much for its safety, simplicity and effectiveness that I became an independent sales consultant. (If you’d like to try it for yourself, I’d love to help you in any way.)
I’ve explained exactly how I clean my home with Norwex in the posts:
- Improving My Green Cleaning with Norwex
- How I Use a Single Cloth to Clean My Entire House
- Norwex’s Wizardry on Windows
- Learning to Enjoy Dusting
- The Quicker Sticker Picker Upper
- Norwex FAQs
- Why Norwex?
- 99 Ways to Use Norwex
How do I safely clean on a budget?
After years of using toxic cleaning products, I’ve completely greened my cleaning. My posts, Cleaning Without Chemicals {A Room by Room Guide}, How I Wash and Dry My Laundry, If You Watched Me Clean My Bathroom detail my methods.
How do YOU safely clean on a budget?
Disclosure: Making purchases through links in this post will result in a commission for Accidentally Green. Thank you for supporting this website!
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