Natural Cleaning Solutions for A Healthier Home

In a world filled with many chemical concoctions that are aimed at cleaning, sanitizing, & or deodorizing your surroundings, we have come to realize that the convenience they offer is not worth the ill-effects that result from years of usage. Cancer & various health altering conditions are on the rise & we know that cleaning solutions are just one of the ways in which we can come in contact with chemicals. These chemicals end up making their way into our bodies, wreaking havoc. So, no wonder many people are seeking natural cleaning solutions for a healthier home & in turn, healthy living.

What is Wrong with Using Synthetic Chemicals?

Using synthetic chemicals are a convenience, but using them need to be done sparingly or on a case by case basis. Many synthetic chemicals are mixed together as cleaning solution. These solutions sometimes work. However, they tend to have adverse effects on the body. And for everyone the effects can be different (cancers, lung issues, tumors, and the list goes on…).

Many of the chemicals that are present in cleaners are caustic. And caustic chemicals will cause damage to the skin in forms of burns or irritation.

So, imagine if a company makes a batch of cleaners that has not been formulated correctly or that is just a stronger strength than is to be marketed to the average consumer. You will have pockets of consumers that will receive these products and have issues such as eczema, rashes, tingling, irritations, headaches, warm sensations, a variety of degreed burns due to the caustic nature of strong cleaners. Depending on how large a scale of people are impacted, will determine company’s approach on whether a recall is necessary, but by then, enough damage has been done and well the ill-effects can be long lasting.

So, why risk your health and well-being? Do your best to keep it simple when it comes to cleaning and sanitizing your household.

What to Use Instead of Industrial or Commercial Cleaners?

When it comes to industrial or commercial cleaners, we choose neither. Healthy living is best accomplished by taking out as many chemicals as possible out of our daily equation. Less is more in this case and that is one of the best methods to preserving one’s health.

So, keep reading for more information on the different household items you can use to clean your home the healthy way.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is a great all around cleaner. You can use this for greasy pots and pans, to remove stuck on foods and other particles, and best of all you can use this in place of caustic chemicals for your bathroom.

Baking soda is great for cleaning hard mineral deposits in faucets, toilets, and bathtub drains to name a few. But, it is also a fantastic solution for cleaning off grimy stuck on gunk in shower stalls and bath tubs.

Simply apply a thick paste of baking soda and water onto the surface of your tub or shower tiles. And let it sit for 30 minutes or more. Then, scrub really well with your brush. Any stuck on grime will easily come loose.

White Vinegar

Vinegar is an acid (acetic acid to be exact) that can be used to cleanse and disinfect surfaces.

The use of Vinegar as a cleaning solution is best done with proper dilutions. This is to help preserve the finish of the surface being cleaned. And to avoid having adverse reactions that may not be worth it in the long run.

Of course, as always it is best to test a small inconspicuous area of the surface to be cleaned to determine whether it is the best solution to use for your cleaning needs.

A one to one ratio of distilled white vinegar to water is a great formula for a vinegar cleaning solution. In other words, if you have 1 cup of white vinegar, simply add 1 cup of water to it. Use this to clean surfaces that have already been tested for adverse reactions.

You can then add about 6 to 7 drops of your fragrance of choice or an essential oil (we prefer 7 drops of orange oil). However, you can forego fragrances and or essential oils since vinegar smell will dissipate within a few minutes of application.

We also find that 1/2 a cup of distilled white vinegar mixed with 1 1/2 cup of water is a good medium strength cleaning solution. And this ratio works well with most cleaning needs.

Simply wipe dirty surfaces using this cleaning solution and allow to air dry, and you are done.

The following surfaces are not to be cleaned using vinegar: electronics, surfaces and items made of rubber; waxed surfaces, anything made of natural stones due to their porous nature, just to list a few.

White vinegar is also excellent when it comes to laundry and preserving the color and softness of fabrics. So, you should certainly give it a try, you will not be disappointed.

Salt

Salt is an excellent cleaner when it comes to removing stubborn stains. It is also great for removing hard water residues like calcium deposits. These are white caked on build up that leave shower heads and bathrooms faucets looking unsightly & unkempt.

For hard water build up/ calcium deposits, simply mix salt with white vinegar & apply to affected item. Or you can soak the item (if possible) using salt and vinegar solution and let sit overnight. Then, scrub and rinse well.

Summary

With cancer and various health issues being all too common nowadays, seeking a more natural way to clean is highly beneficial to your health while also simplifying the entire cleaning process. Using natural cleaners keep you from spending your hard earned money on needless, highly fragrant, toxic chemicals, saving not only money, but your life in the long run. And now that you have an idea of the various means of cleaning your home, we hope you will forego the use of harsh chemicals and reach for the natural items you can easily find in your kitchen pantry and get to cleaning the healthy way.