Keeping a clean and clear space is essential for improved productivity and focus both at home and in the office. But all those harsh chemicals can really take their toll on your furnishings, appliances, technology and even your health.
There are so many natural cleaning products that can help to improve the way you keep you home and office spin and span without harming your living or working spaces, your health or mother nature. Also, they’re pretty friendly on your pocket too. Here are our best tips:
Infused vinegar as a surface cleaner
White vinegar in itself is a great replacement for the sprays, gels and solvents that we tend to use to clean our kitchen counters, desks and other furniture in the house and office. But infusing your vinegar with some essential oils could result in a pleasant aroma that is also beneficial for our health – and our pets’ health.
Try adding a few drops of citrus oil to your home mixed surface cleaner to refresh your spaces and keep that same lemony scent you’re generally used to with store bought products. If you want to go the extra mile, you can also infuse your plain white vinegar with orange peel, lemon peel or any try of citrus peel. Let it steep for 2 weeks, drain and reserve the liquid in a spray bottle for easier use.
VGR Eco Tip: dilute some white vinegar with water – equal parts – and use this as a screen cleaner.
For that good scrub use use bicarbonate of soda
Bicarbonate of soda is a great kitchen, bathroom and grimy area solver! It is usually paired with vinegar to create a chemical reaction that bubbles, removing all dirt attached to the surface you are trying to shine up.
This works wonders on your microwave, toilet bowl, and even that grill you only take out of storage for your yearly team BBQ. Bicarbonate of soda is a great replacement for the tougher products that we buy, and even though you’re renting out a space and not the direct owner of the property, you’re still spending a good amount of your time in the place, so you might as well take care of it as if it were your own.
VGR Eco Tip: store bicarbonate of soda in a glass jar, away from your food items so as not to cause any confusion with the rest of your colleagues or family members. The glass jar will keep it fresh and ready to battle grime in no time.
Make the natural swap all the way
If you need to get new cleaning tools like a broom, sponge, cloths and any other sort of cleaning device, why not take the eco route?
Choosing wooden brooms, metal spades, congee sponges and bamboo cloths won’t only get the job done, and get it done well, but they’ll also add a whole lot of aesthetic pleasure to your space.
It goes without saying that this route should only be taken when you need to replace or change your cleaning tools and not before; that wouldn’t be sustainable at all.
VGR Eco Tip: whenever possible be sure to shop local, shipping and importing for personal use creates a far bigger impact on the planet than wholesale or bulk importation.
Finding the eco-path for your home and office might take some work at the beginning, but there’s always a feeling of environmental awareness that you can be really proud of yourself with. Give them a try, we’re sure you’ll love these swaps.
