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Cleaning Tips

Cleaning products are everywhere in our homes and offices: on dishes, countertops, furniture, clothes, floors, windows, and floating through the air. In our war on dirt and germs we may often actually be making things worse. Most of the conventional cleaning products we all grew up with are petroleum-based and have dubious health and environmental implications. Instead of opting for cleaning products that annihilate everything in their path, there are plenty of natural products and methods that keep a house clean and fresh-smelling without the toxic side effects.

As the health and environmental impacts of conventional cleaning products become more thoroughly understood, more and more brands of healthy, green, and effective cleaning products have started hitting the market and competing for that coveted place of honor under your sink. Many of these products are non-toxic, biodegradable, and made from renewable resources (not petroleum). But if designer labels aren’t for you, home-mixed cleaners can get the job done and then some. Vinegar and baking soda can be used to clean almost anything. Mix in a little warm water with either of these and you’ve got yourself an all-purpose cleaner.

 

It is not uncommon for the air inside a home or office to be more toxic than the air outside. This is because of the presence of toxic materials and substances and the fact that homes and buildings are better insulated than ever before (which is a good thing from an energy standpoint). Keeping windows open as often as possible allows fresh air in and keeps toxins flowing out. This is especially important when cleaning your home.

 

The antibacterial and antimicrobial ‘cleaners’ that many people think are necessary, especially during cold season, don’t clean hands better than soap and water, and also add to the risk of breeding “super germs,” bacteria that survive the chemical onslaught and have resistant offspring. The FDA has found that antibacterial soaps and hand cleansers do not work better than regular soap and water, and should be avoided.

 

Baking soda not only removes those strange smells coming from your fridge, it’s also a great odor-eliminator for your carpet. Just sprinkle on a little baking soda to soak up some of those odors and then vacuum it up.

 

Skip the store-bought air fresheners and instead try boiling cinnamon, cloves, or any other herbs you have a fondness for. Fresh chocolate chip cookies also have been known to create a friendly aroma. Also, plants may not make your house smell different but are good for filtering interior air–pretty much any broad green leaf plant will do. Peace Lilies are a favorite choice..

 

When replacing your cleaning products, don’t just throw the old ones in the trash. If they’re too toxic for your home, they won’t be good for the drain or the landfill either. Many communities hold toxics & electronics recycling days and will take all of these off your hands. Throwing chemicals in the trash or down the drain means they might end up back in your water supply and come back to haunt you (see How to Go Green: Water for more).

 

Conventional dry cleaners are the largest users of the industrial solvent called Perchloroethylene, or perc, which is toxic to humans and also creates smog. The two most common green drycleaning methods are carbon dioxide cleaning and Green Earth. Seek out cleaners that use green methods. If you do take clothes to conventional cleaners, be sure to air them outside before wearing them or putting them in the closet.

 

For people don’t have the time to clean their own homes, fortunately there are an increasing number of green cleaning services out there to help get things spic and span. If you can’t find one in your area (or their rates are outlandish), call around until you find a service willing to use the products and methods you specify.

 

Imagine what’s on your shoes at the end of the day. Bringing that oil, antifreeze, animal waste, particulate pollution, pollen, and who knows what else into the house is not good news, especially for kids and other critters that spend time on floor level. Keep the sidewalk out of your home with a good doormat or a shoeless house policy. Many green buildings now include entryway track-off systems as a means of maintaining a healthy interior environment. Less dirt also means less sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming, which means less work, water, energy, and fewer chemicals.

 

Designing houses and other building with cleanability in mind can create spaces that are cleaner, healthier, and require fewer substances to maintain. In larger buildings, good cleanability can also be a big money-saver as cleaning costs can often add up to as much as half of a building’s total energy costs.

 
 

Exactly. Start with ceiling fans, shelves, cabinets, and other high surfaces, then clean tables and countertops, and finish with vacuuming or mopping the floor. That way, any dust or debris that falls gets cleaned up at the end.

Exactly. Decluttering first makes the actual cleaning faster and more effective. Put away items that belong elsewhere, throw out trash, and clear floors and surfaces before wiping, vacuuming, or mopping. This gives you unobstructed areas to clean and prevents you from repeatedly moving things around.

 
 
 
 

Exactly. Microfiber cloths trap dust and dirt instead of just pushing it around, and they work well with very little cleaner. Use a dry or slightly damp cloth for dusting, a clean lint-free one for glass, and a separate cloth for countertops to avoid spreading germs.

 

Exactly. Giving a cleaner a few minutes of dwell time helps loosen grease, soap scum, and stuck-on grime, so you need less scrubbing.

Follow the product label for the recommended time, keep the surface wet during that period, and avoid mixing cleaning products—especially bleach with ammonia or acids.

Exactly. Cleaning as you cook keeps messes from piling up and makes cleanup much easier afterward. While food is simmering or baking, wash used utensils, wipe spills before they dry, put ingredients away, and load dishes into the dishwasher. By the time the meal is ready, most of the kitchen cleanup is already done.

Exactly. An old toothbrush is great for detailed cleaning because its small bristles can reach places that cloths and sponges miss. Use it around grout lines, faucet bases, sink edges, window tracks, appliance seams, and other tight corners. Keep it clearly separated from toothbrushes used for personal care.

Exactly. Keeping cleaning supplies close to where you use them makes quick cleanups much easier. For example, keep bathroom cleaner and microfiber cloths in the bathroom, dish and counter supplies in the kitchen, and a small dusting kit near living areas. Store products safely, especially away from children and pets.

Exactly. Vacuuming or sweeping first removes loose dust, hair, crumbs, and grit before you add water or floor cleaner. If you mop first, that debris can mix with moisture and create streaks or muddy residue, making the floor harder to clean.

Exactly. High-touch surfaces collect oils, dirt, and germs quickly, so regular cleaning helps keep shared spaces fresher. Focus on door handles, light switches, cabinet pulls, faucet handles, remote controls, phones, and appliance handles. Use a cleaner that’s safe for the specific surface, especially around electronics.

Exactly. A 10-minute daily reset keeps small messes from turning into bigger cleaning jobs. Put stray items back where they belong, wipe the most-used surfaces, straighten cushions or bedding, deal with dishes and trash, and quickly sweep or spot-clean anything noticeable. Consistency matters more than doing everything perfectly.

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