There's nothing more calming than freshening up your home with a good thorough cleaning. What isn't calming, however, is the thought of millions of people using harsh and toxic cleaning products every single day. It's hard to argue against using them, as these chemicals help us take out nasty and persistent stains that we otherwise couldn't. We use up tons of paper towels and wash away the bad chemicals down the drain.

In today's environmentally-friendly world, it's important that you don't harm the ecosystem any more than necessary. The good news is that many of the harmful cleaning methods we use aren't absolutely necessary for cleaning a home. If you're wondering how to clean without damaging the environment, we've come up with a few ways.

Use repurposed rags

Buying new paper towels and magic cloths every other day isn't good for the environment, nor is it good for your wallet. A better option would be to repurpose various items from your home as rags, which you can then use and wash repeatedly.

Cloth diapers and old t-shirts are considered great alternatives to paper towels. You can cut up a t-shirt that you don't use into multiple squares and use them to wash windows or wooden surfaces. Towels are also viable options. Once you feel that a towel is too worn or dirty to keep using, simply repurpose it as a cleaning rag. Not only will you help the environment by not using paper towels and plastic cloths, but you'll also save some money along the way.

Remove mould with vinegar

Mould is not an uncommon sight in parts of your home that have a lot of moisture. Whether it's the attic, kitchen, or bathroom, you can expect mould to pop up from time to time. In these scenarios, most of us would break out the harsh cleaning chemicals to get rid of the unsightly growth. However, this isn't exactly good for the environment. These cleaning agents have to go down the drain eventually, after which they'll end up in the ground or in local waters.

To minimize the use of toxic cleaning products, you should consider using a natural mould cleaner. Vinegar will work just as well as any cleaning agent you could use. All you have to do is soak the affected area for a few hours and then scrub the mould away. It will take care of your issue and won't require any caustic chemicals.

Use lemon to polish metallic surfaces

When we want to freshen up fixtures in the bathroom or kitchen, we tend to reach for typical household cleaners that contain abrasive chemicals. It's a surefire way to keep metallic objects clean and sparkly, but it's not good for the environment. Luckily, there are some natural alternatives that can help us complete this task.

Lemon juice does the job just fine on its own. You'd be surprised as to how well a lemon can keep your fixtures looking fresh. All you have to do is sprinkle a half-lemon with a bit of salt and use it as a scouring pad. Afterwards, just wash the metallic surface with water and dry it with a cloth. It will look just as good as it would after using an abrasive cleaner.

Get a professional cleaning

We all want to keep our homes spotless, but this can be hard to do while looking out for the environment. Even with the help of a few environmentally-friendly methods, it still takes quite a few toxic chemicals to keep your home clean. Not to mention, it can be difficult to dedicate time to researching and obtaining eco-friendly cleaning agents.

Why bother with this chore when you can save yourself the trouble and find a professional house cleaning company to do it for you? The experts have more experience with cleaning, and they most likely have plenty of non-toxic cleaning agents that they can use. It wouldn't hurt to get  professional cleaning every once in a while, to spare yourself these tasks and to minimize the use of chemicals that affect the environment.

Utilize baking soda

One of the most ordinary ingredients in your kitchen is actually a wonderful cleaning agent, and it's all natural. Baking soda has long been used to clean some of the tougher and more irritating stains in kitchens and bathrooms.

You can use it to scrub the stubborn oils and stains off of your pots and pans. Much like vinegar, baking soda can also be used to remove mould. It's odor-absorbing properties are tried and tested. Sprinkle a bit of baking soda on areas or objects that smell bad, and you'll eventually be rid of the smell.

Conclusion

Cleaning doesn't have to be too damaging to the environment, as long as you know how to do it. With the right natural substances and a bit of patience, you can keep your home spick and span without resorting to abrasive chemicals. A little help can come in handy for those big spring cleanings, as professionals use better cleaning agents than most of us. Follow the above pointers and you'll keep your home clean without affecting the environment negatively.

About the author:

Sarah Jessica Smith is a young blogger from Sydney. She is in love with life and all the things that can make her daily routine easier. She loves to write about home improvement, lifestyle, and all the small things that make life such a great adventure.

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