While preparing for spring cleaning, you’ve probably thought of using eco-friendly cleaning products this time. Working on sustainable living is more than just recycling your trash every once in a while. You can do many things to improve your mentality and make it easier to need a more eco-friendly life. And one of the easiest ways you can improve how you help the environment is by using eco-friendly cleaning products. It is an easy, everyday lifestyle change that will be more beneficial to the planet than you think.
Green cleaning products contain safe, biodegradable, non-toxic ingredients, and most often, you can find them in sustainable packaging. These products can help lessen both water and air pollution. And by doing your part, you can help fight climate change and ozone depletion. In addition to all of that, there are plenty of personal benefits that come with switching to green cleaning products. Let’s go through some of the biggest perks of eco-friendly cleaning products.
#1 Eco-friendly doesn’t just mean healthier for the planet
Using homemade eco-friendly cleaning products is much healthier for you and the planet.
The first reason for using green cleaning products is that most are healthier for you and your family. Of course, you should still be wary and read their ingredients list if you’re buying them. However, in most cases, this cleaning product must meet specific guidelines regarding production quality.
Most other cleaning products use harsh chemicals, damaging your skin and reducing indoor air quality. It’s much easier to protect your skin from damage when you use eco-friendly cleaning products. That is because they are made from way less harsh chemicals. Improving indoor air quality will reduce susceptibility to other health risks, such as eye and respiratory infections and chemical poisoning.
#2 Use eco-friendly cleaning products to make your possessions last longer
One of the most significant benefits of using eco-friendly cleaning products is that they are much less corrosive to your furniture and household items. As we’ve already said, most non-sustainable cleaning products use harsh chemicals. These chemicals can negatively affect the texture and lifespan of your possessions. For example, using an eco-friendly dishwashing product can reduce the potential of creating rust on your silverware. Using these products can save a lot of money in the long run by preserving your household items and extending their lifespans.
If you’re planning a move soon, we strongly recommend switching to sustainable cleaning products soon as possible. Since they don’t alter the state of your furniture as much as traditional cleaning products, they can make it much easier to move. If you hire furniture movers, the moving process itself can be straightforward. And if your furniture is in good condition, when it’s time to move, experts can deal with this part very easily. However, it’s your job to preserve your furniture until then.
#3 They are way less expensive
It’s easy to afford eco-friendly cleaning products. They can be bought cheaply or made from everyday household ingredients.
There are two main ways that you can save money when you use eco-friendly cleaning products. Firstly, most store-bought versions of these products are cheaper than their non-eco-friendly counterparts. That is usually because most green cleaning products use fewer ingredients. Next time you go to the store, check out the eco-friendly options. You may be surprised that green cleaning products are usually priced better than traditional products of the same quality.
Secondly, you can make eco-friendly cleaning products if you have the time. They are made from simple ingredients you likely already have in your home. The most common options are baking soda and vinegar. However, you can also use lemon juice, olive oil, and citric acid. The correct mixtures are sure to keep your home clean, as good as traditional products but for way less money.
Homemade eco-friendly cleaning product recipes
Here are two of our favorite eco-friendly cleaner recipes:
General cleaner for all purposes - 1/2 cup of vinegar, 1/4 cup of baking soda, 8 cups of water;
Tile and bathtub/shower cleaner - mix equal parts water and vinegar and pour into a spray bottle.
#4 These products have a much more pleasant smell
Traditional cleaning products will always have a strong smell to them. The smell usually comes from the large amounts of bleach and ammonia present in them. On the other hand, when you use eco-friendly cleaning products from the store, you’ll notice that they usually smell a lot better.
And, of course, if you’re making your products, you control what goes in them. Adding a few drops of essential oils to your homemade cleaning products can help freshen your home. Just make sure you’re using essential oils which are safe to inhale. The most popular ones are lavender, citrus, or tea tree oil. The general rule of thumb is - if you can find it in a perfume, it’s usually safe to inhale.
#5 Eco-friendly cleaning products are safer options for families
If you use eco-friendly cleaning products, engaging your kids in household chores will be safer while teaching them about sustainable living.
If you have young children at home, switching to eco-friendly products when cleaning is a great idea. Kids under five years old are very susceptible to harmful chemicals. If you use a glass cleaner with harsh chemicals, you can count on most of those staying in the air for the rest of the day and your child inhaling them the whole time. Of course, if you simply can’t afford to make the switch right away, that’s all right. However, when you find the time to mix up these ingredients, it’s a great idea.
When you use eco-friendly products, you’re creating a healthier environment for your little ones. Additionally, using these products is a great way to get your children involved in chores more safely.
Final thoughts
As you can see, when you use eco-friendly cleaning products, you’re creating a much more hospitable atmosphere in your home, helping your planet, and teaching your young ones to be sustainable. The reasons for using these products are endless. But we hope we have at least demystified some of the discussion around them. In the long term, they will improve your health, save money, and extend the lifespan of your possessions. Switching to green cleaning products is a wonderful first step into sustainable living and mindful choice-making.