Environmentally Safe Cleaning Methods for the Holidays
If you have sensitivities to fragrances or are worried about chemicals in general, finding environmentally friendly cleaning products before the holidays can serve multiple purposes. You can enjoy a fresh, clean home without the chemicals. You can protect your loved ones from such sensitivities. You can also get ahead of one of your resolutions for the New Year!
1. Focus on maintenance
When was the last time you changed your furnace filter? Staying on top of HVAC filters will easily improve the air quality in your home. You can cut down on dust buildup in your living space by catching it in your HVAC filters. If you are hosting someone especially sensitive to dust or pet dander, getting your air ducts cleaned may also be a good choice.
A call to Air Mechanical can not only protect the air in your home, but you can get more years out of your HVAC system. A quality HVAC company will be able to maintain your system and give you a heads-up about replacing it before it's a crisis.
2. Use basic chemistry
Clean your rooms from the top down. Sweep down blinds and ceiling fan blades. Use products that allow static to build up to capture dust rather than spraying everything with a dusting chemical. Once the dust is picked up, you can certainly wash things with water or a mix of water and mild biodegradable soap, but don't polish what you haven't cleaned. For a quality clean, consider a biodegradable beeswax polish to brighten your wooden furniture.
If your oven could use a good scrub before the holiday baking begins, remove your oven racks and place them in a large black trash bag. Spray them with vinegar and let them sit in the sun. After a day of solar cleaning, scrub them down. Vinegar will loosen any fats holding gunk on the racks, and the sun will soften burned-on grease.
Don't forget about the power of combining an acid and a base. Put a paste of baking soda and water on the walls or bottom of your oven if you have stains to remove. Let the paste sit overnight; then, spray your oven down with vinegar. The bubbling that follows will take up many baked-on stains.
3. Let a pro clean your carpets
DIY carpet cleaning machines don't do a great job of deep cleaning your carpets and rugs. Worse, the soaps that come with these machines often leave your carpets feeling sticky. Over time, your rugs will simply pick up more dust and look grungier sooner. Reach out to Top Dog Cleaning Crew for a thorough and natural cleaning of your carpets and rugs.
Your freshly cleaned house can simply smell and feel clean; you don't need to put a lot of chemicals to work in your living space. Getting your ducts cleaned and your carpets thoroughly steamed will require tools that an ordinary homeowner simply can't access. Look for more tips on environmentally friendly cleaning tools from The Home Mag on our Facebook and Instagram pages.
