If you were a housewife or simply a homeowner who is just as meticulous as me when it comes to cleaning their house, then you would understand me when I say that it takes more than just mopping the floors, wiping the furniture, and scrubbing the toilets. It’s true – there are always germs and bacteria hidden somewhere, even if you think everything in the house is clean. “There’s a range of chemicals that you can be exposed to in your home, generally at very low levels,” says Dr. Andrew Rooney, Ph.D., a toxicology and risk expert at NIH. There are harmful substances that can make our kids sick; chemicals that cause us to have allergic reactions and even heightened blood pressure.
And do you know where we get some of these substances? Yes, from the deodorizers, cleaning detergents, and other products that we use to make our homes look as tidy as can be. We must now learn to utilize the healthier and safer substitutes to these products – those that are natural and most probably just sitting right around your kitchen.
Recyclable Containers And Food Wraps. If you use these instead of containers that are not paraben-free, you’re helping save the earth and your health as well. Phthalate, the chemical found in plastic food containers, slowly penetrate the food, especially when the container is heated. This may result in allergies, asthma, and hypertension. A wise reminder to always follow: please do not heat food in any kind of plastic but only in glass or china.
Orange Oil As Air Freshener. Perfumes and other fragrances that are used in air fresheners can commonly cause different endocrine problems, cancer, and environmental pollution. . “The vast majority of synthetic air fresheners emit significant amounts of terpene, a volatile organic compound that can react with naturally occurring ozone to create formaldehyde.” Natural health physician Dr. Ben Kim explains. But organic stores have now started to utilize orange oil to make into air fresheners. It is natural, it has a great scent, and you can make it at home.
Apple Cider Vinegar And Baking Soda For Cleaning Drains. “Baking soda can clean almost every surface of your home by itself,” says Dr. Steven A. Bolkan, director of research & development at Church & Dwight . The main ingredients in drain cleaners that we buy at the supermarket are sodium chloride, aluminum, and sodium hydroxide. These three are all linked to air pollution and are harmful to the planet and of course, to its inhabitants. Try using natural by first pouring some baking soda in the drain, followed by one-half cup of vinegar, preferably apple cider. After a few minutes, you can flush the drain with hot water. This combination is a strong and effective drain cleaner we can use twice or three times a week if we want.
Microfiber As Paper Towels. These types of cloth are effective kitchen counter cleaners, even without any other product. Microfibers act as solvents that loosen dirt particles and trap them in the fiber as they are sucked into it. If you look for a good quality microfiber cloth, then you can recycle it, and it should last relatively longer. It’s also better to use them instead of paper towels, which are not biodegradable and can add more harm to the environment.
Baking Soda As A Stain Remover. More and more people have learned this technique now, adding a half-cup of baking soda to their laundry detergent to increase the power of the bleach that they’re using for their white shirts and dresses. Also, the baking soda can soften the water so one can use less detergent when doing their laundry.
These are only some of the many brilliant ways to use natural ingredients in cleaning, brushing, and keeping your homes safe and clean. You can experiment with whatever you have kept in your kitchen. It doesn’t necessarily need to be in the book. You just need to use natural, experiment with it, and see their amazing powers in helping save the planet and keep a cleaner and safer home. Aiding the environment also helps retain the benefits of nature for stress and anxiety for your mental health too.
