11.30
Some would say that cleaning your home starts with the intention, but few would argue that supplies are needed. What is more, they should be supplies appropriate to the job.
Therefore, step number one should be to read the labels of any products carefully before using them. Make sure the cautions are understood, especially any warnings relative to human beings and household pets. Care needs to be taken not to mix the wrong supplies and end up in the hospital due to invisible but toxic fumes.
The good news is that now, in the â??greenâ?? era, many people are choosing to use ecologically friendly supplies instead of chemicals. Many people use a broom and a dustpan, vinegar, baking soda and water in the form of steam to clean windows, floors and everything in between including all parts of the bathroom. Steam cleaners are for sale everywhere, are easy to use and sanitize as they clean. In addition, a good choice is to use cotton rags, which can be washed and used many times over instead of paper towels. Rags are a cheap purchase at Goodwill or any similar store. A good-sized bag can be purchased for $5.00 or less. Once purchased, run them through the washing machine first to make sure they are clean and sanitary.
Vinegar can be used to clean windows and floors as well as to clean out the deposits in your coffee or teapot. White distilled vinegar is the cleaner of choice and probably costs less than most other vinegars. The good news is that as soon as it dries, the odor is nearly non-existent. If you mop your floors with a bucket of water with some vinegar in it and add a few drops of essential oil such as lavender or lemon, your house will smell fabulous when you are finished.
Baking soda is an abrasive, so use it on sinks, bathtubs and in conjunction with a pumice stone to help remove rings or hard water stains in the toilet bowl. You can also use it to clean counter tops and stovetops. If you have a ceramic stovetop, follow the manufacturerâ??s directions. Ceramic cleaner and a razor blade will work wonders on that type of stovetop.
Time to get back to a simpler method of cleaning. Besides all that, who knew that it is cheaper, easier and ecologically sounder to use simple cleaning supplies anyway?