Eco-cleaning,: a clean home in harmony with nature

A clean and fragrant home is a place where we enjoy spending time. Keeping the house tidy is a particular challenge for families with children, as in such cases we must pay special attention not only to whether we are cleaning the rooms thoroughly, but also to the products we use. Toddlers who are crawling and putting everything in their mouths must not come into contact with harmful chemicals, which is why it is worth looking into more eco-friendly methods of keeping the home clean. What natural cleaning products can be found in every home?

Natural cleaning at home – what to use?

Homemade eco-friendly cleaning products, made from ingredients we usually have in our kitchens, offer significant savings for the household budget, as well as a simple solution that ensures children’s safety and minimises the negative impact on the environment. The most popular ingredients in natural cleaning products are, first and foremost, the well-known bicarbonate of soda, vinegar, citric acid and salt. We can use them separately or in appropriate combinations. They’re ideal both as fresheners for spring cleaning and during a thorough clean of the house for the festive season. How should each of them be used?

Bicarbonate of soda – what can it be used for?

Baking soda is a well-known cleaning agent. It works particularly well in the bathroom – on chrome and ceramic surfaces. Simply dilute the bicarbonate of soda with water and pour the resulting solution into a spray bottle. The finished solution will be convenient to use and very effective. Spray it onto the surfaces you wish to clean, then wipe them dry. For stubborn dirt, it is recommended to make a bicarbonate of soda paste – a thick mixture of water and bicarbonate of soda – which you apply directly to the stains and leave for a few minutes. This will help you clean even the grout between tiles or old deposits in the shower cubicle.

Citric acid – disinfecting and whitening

Citric acid, or fresh lemon juice, is a natural cleaning product with antibacterial and gentle whitening properties. It works well wherever surfaces need to be not only clean but also shiny. Water mixed with citric acid will give a shine to all metal and glass objects. If you pour it into a spray bottle, it can be used as a solution for cleaning tiles or the shower cubicle to remove limescale and soap scum. Lemon is effective at removing limescale, as well as for freshening up and disinfecting surfaces such as kitchen worktops or the inside of a microwave.

Vinegar as a natural antibacterial agent

Despite its unpleasant smell, vinegar is ideal for cleaning a wide variety of surfaces, particularly those from which we wish to remove bacteria (such as bathroom or toilet floors). A mixture of water and vinegar effectively cleans and disinfects, whilst also adding a shine to smooth surfaces. Its smell dissipates quickly, so there’s no need to worry about having to remove it. It’s also worth combining vinegar with lemon juice. With this solution, you can even clean the inside of a very dirty oven.

Essential oils and their role in eco-friendly cleaning

Natural essential oils arevaluedprimarily for their intense scent, which is used in aromatherapy. After thoroughly cleaning your home, you can simply diffuse them in a room to infuse it with your favourite aroma. However, essential oils are not just compounds with a distinctive, pure scent. Each one has different properties that work perfectly when cleaning. Where and how should you use each one? For cleaning the bathroom, it’s worth using tea treeoilandeucalyptusoil, as they have antibacterial and bacteriostatic properties. Tea tree oil also works well in the kitchen as an additive to worktop cleaner. You can also use it to freshen up carpets and upholstery. For cleaning in the bedroom, oils with calming properties are recommended, such as eucalyptus oil, rosemary oilandSiberian firoil. For cleaning floors in any room, a mixture of water, vinegar and lemonoilis best. It’s also worth using essential oils when doing the washing or vacuuming. In the first case, add a small amount of essential oil to your usual washing powder; in the second, sprinkle a little oil onto the dust bag or air filter in the vacuum cleaner.

Essential oils as a natural air freshener

We can use essential oils whilst cleaning, as well as immediately afterwards – to prolong the feeling of freshness. You can make a homemade air freshener using your favourite essential oil. All you need is a glass of water, 2 tablespoons of alcohol andyourchosen essentialoil. Simply mix everything together and pour it into a spray bottle. Products of this type can also be used to create natural, long-lasting scented sachets, which you can use in your wardrobe, for example. To make them, simply soak some loose-leaf tea in the oil, then pour it onto a piece of muslin and tie the bundle with a decorative ribbon.