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Green Cleaning For Your Apartment
Cleaning your apartment can be tedious enough without having to breathe in noxious chemicals, or feeling guilty that you’re harming the planet. Fortunately, there are plenty of more environmentally friendly alternatives. Here are some suggestions to help you keep clean while still keeping the environment a high priority.
Say no to petroleum
One of the easiest things you can do is stop using dishwashing liquids that contain petroleum-based products. You also want to avoid dishwashing detergents with phosphates, as the phosphates, which can be highly toxic, then get into the water supply. There are several petroleum- and phosphate-free dishwashing products now available, including Seventh Generation, Ecover, and Method. Such companies also sell environmentally friendly laundry detergents.
Use what you have
Green cleaning does not have to be expensive. You can take advantage of products you already have in your apartment.
- Baking soda can be used to scrub kitchen sinks and stovetops.
- White vinegar can clean a coffeepot (pour 1/2 vinegar and 1/2 water into the reservoir and run the machine; follow with just water).
- You can use toothpaste to clean silver.
- Keep cutting boards free of bacteria by scrubbing them in soapy water as hot as you can stand it.
- A combination of washing soda (which is stronger than baking soda) and water, poured down the drain regularly, will help keep the drain unclogged.
Some things can’t be replaced
Not everything can be done with green products. You can do a lot of cleaning without using chlorine bleach (The Good Human has a list of bleach alternatives). But if you want to disinfect bathroom sinks and kitchen countertops, few items will kill as many germs as chlorine bleach. Vinegar, often recommended, will clean but not disinfect. If you do stick with chlorine bleach, you only need about a teaspoon or so per quart of water.
And don’t forget: never, ever mix chlorine bleach with ammonia! The resulting gas can be toxic.
Do your research
When you do buy cleaning products, you may find some research is necessary first. Labels that say “environmentally safe” or “cruelty free” may not have much in the way of standards attached to them. Consumer Reports has an Eco-Labels Center that will tell you what each label implies. Two of the most reliable labels are “Certified Biodegradable,” issued by Scientific Certification Systems, and the Green Seal.
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Readers Poll
Do you plan to move yourself or hire a moving company to assist you?
- Move myself by renting a truck (63%, 15 Votes)
- Move myself without renting a truck (21%, 5 Votes)
- Hire a moving company to help (16%, 4 Votes)
Total Voters: 24
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