What are the types of non-toxic cleaning products?
Environmentally-friendly cleaning products are in demand with good reasons. Everything that one pours down in one's drains ends up in one's sewage and water systems. Harmful chemical ingredients can be dangerous for one's health. Natural cleaning is a safe option for children, pets, and people who suffer from allergies. Learn about the types of non-toxic cleaning products available in this article.
Non-toxic powder cleaners
Sodium carbonate
Sodium carbonate, known as washing soda, is alkaline. It is natural and safe to use as a cleaner. Sodium carbonate is caustic, so gloves should be worn when handling it. It can neutralise odour and handle tough cleaning jobs like removing lipstick, oil, grease, and wax-based products like when stripping waxed floors.
Washing soda should not be applied to a waxed floor unless you want to strip it. It is not safe to use on aluminium or fibreglass.
Baking soda
Baking soda is a powerful, natural deodoriser, disinfectant, and whitener. Baking soda comes from soda ash, and it has a low pH level of about eight. It is used in household cleaning for washing the laundry, deodorising the fridge, and brushing teeth.
It is capable of neutralising odours, and is often used to make carpet, shoe, and room deodorisers. It can absorb odour from the air, making it suitable as an air freshener.
Adding a cup or so to your laundry will whiten, brighten, and clean items in the wash. It can also be used as a non-abrasive cleaner on counters, in ovens, in sinks, and tubs.
Non-toxic liquid cleaners
Essential oils
Essential oils such as tea tree oil, lavender, grapefruit seed extract, and clove carry disinfectant, anti-fungal, and antiseptic properties that make them ideal for eco-friendly cleaning.
Adding a few drops to mop water or a spray bottle filled with water will create an effective cleaning agent. Add a couple of drops to your vacuum bag to freshen the air as you clean.
Lemon juice
Lemon juice carries the same acidic properties as white vinegar, and is often used in the same way. Lemon juice is favoured over vinegar for the citrus scent.
White vinegar
White vinegar is acidic. It can successfully neutralise alkaline materials, dissolve and remove dirt, and build up from many surfaces. It is often used for hard water stains, wood floors, windows, mirrors, and walls. It is also used to combat pet odour. Vinegar can be added to the wash to brighten whites, and to remove dirt from clothing and linens.
Natural liquid soap and biodegradable detergent
Natural liquid soap is used in the same manner as regular liquid soap specifically for removing grease. Use a biodegradable detergent if you have hard water to avoid soap scum.