Everybody needs a clean kitchen. However, these days, it’s essential to understand that not all of the cleaning products we use in our Ivins homes are safe for our environment. The great news is that there are more eco-friendly cleaning products available now than ever before to make our kitchens sparkle. Certainly, with a few simple ingredients that most people already have in their cupboards, you can produce safe, effective, natural cleaning products that cost a fraction of store-bought brands that work just the same or better.
There are many benefits if you are using eco-friendly cleaning products in the kitchen. Harsh chemicals can be very harmful to your skin, eyes, nose, throat, and respiratory system. Additionally, they can be a serious threat to any pets or sensitive members of the household. Alongside the negative effects on your health, most store-bought cleaning products contain chemicals that can harm the environment as well. Toxic chemicals can work their way out from our kitchen drains into rivers, lakes, and groundwater, killing vegetation, polluting the soil, and poisoning fish and animals.
Eco-friendly products choose simple, non-toxic ingredients that are better for the environment. The issue 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.” Moreover, there are no regulations that require cleaning product manufacturers to list the ingredients in their products on their packaging.
It depends upon the informed consumer to choose either do some research to find the truly eco-friendly brands of cleaning products available or make your own. In fact, some of the best eco-friendly cleaning products you can make or buy contain the same simple ingredients: white vinegar and baking soda. It can be used in some other ways, and these two pantry staples can tackle almost any mess your kitchen can produce. With a few 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 example, sealed wood and tile floors can be cleaned and disinfected with just a little white vinegar, some warm water, and a mop or rag. Yet, the smell of vinegar may not be all that pleasant, and you could easily add a drop or two of your favorite essential oil to make your kitchen smell great. The same thing is right 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 with a little baking soda, water, and some patience, you can use a baking soda paste to remove all that tough grime. To get the best result, you must 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 that, all you need is 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 is 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 doesn’t sound attractive in any way, there are quite a few eco-friendly options now available. A lot of the more popular brands, including 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. Most of these brands also use 100% postconsumer recycled plastics in their packaging.
It doesn’t matter if you choose to buy or make kitchen cleaning products, most likely, once you begin, you will never go back to harsh chemicals again. You’re not only securing yourself and your home from harm, but you’ll also be doing your part for the environment, too.
If you are looking for a rental home or need help managing your Ivins rental property, call Real Property Management Southern Utah at 435-673-4242 to talk with an experienced Ivins property manager today!
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
