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Think your home is green paradise free of toxins and pollutions? Think again. According to the EPA indoor air is anywhere from two to 100 times more polluted than outdoor air. Why you ask? Much of it comes from volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that evaporate from both furniture and cleaning products.
That's right, cleaning your home is actually making it more toxic. But it doesn't have to be that way. In fact, homes were cleaned for centuries before today's high-tech (but toxic) cleaners came along.
Want to do yourself and the environment a favor? Ditch the toxic cleaning supplies and go green with out complete guide to cleaning your home the green way.
== DIY cleaners ==
There are plenty of designer label green cleaning products out there, but most will cost you an arm and leg and, as it turns out, two of the best cleaning substances are probably already in your kitch -- vinegar and backing soda.
Vinegar and backing soda are two of the most versatile and powerful cleaners around. Mix either one with a bit of water and some liquid soap and you've got everything from window cleaner to a bathroom scrubber.
Throw some washing soda in the mix and you have an almost limitless range of green cleaning possibilities.
Here's a few handy recipes:
General Purpose Cleaner
1/2 tsp washing soda
two drops of liquid soap
2 cups hot tap water
Combine in a spray bottle and shake until dissolved
Window Cleaner
1/4-1/2 tsp liquid soap
3 tbs white vinegar
2 cups water
pour in a spray bottle
Floor Cleaner
1/3 white vinegar and 2/3 water
Bathroom Scrubber
Just make a paste with baking soda and a bit of water. Works wonder on mildew and tile grout. Substitute a bit of liquid soap instead of water and you've got a great bathtub cleaner that won't leave any grit behind.
The first two recipes will keep indefinitely. The second two you can just make on an as-you-need-it basis.
== Fancier DIY cleaners ==
Most of the time you won't notice much of an odor at all with these home-brew cleaners, but if you miss the lemony fresh smell of your old toxic cleaners never fear, you can make your own scented cleaners.
Just head to your local market and grab a few of your favorite essential oils. Drop a bit of lemon or orange oil (and we mean literally just a drop) in your mixes and you'll have a nice, green, fresh-smelling cleaner. Should you opt for lavender oil you'll be getting a natural antiseptic.
== Conclusion ==
There's no need to spend huge sums of money buying cleaning products that actually make your home more toxic than it was before you started cleaning. Using time-tested cleaning recipes with simple, cheap ingredients like vinegar and baking soda will keep your house clean and green.
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