eco friendly cleaning
7. Fight stains and dirt with natural products. Before you reach for that stain-removing stick or bottle of chlorine bleach, try something gentler. Cornstarch and baking soda both work well to soak up oily stains; hydrogen peroxide can take the place of bleach (it's the main ingredient in most non-chlorine bleach products); and white vinegar is great for removing stains and ground-in dirt.
Add to ideabook 3. Wash (nearly) everything in cold water. According to Energy Star, heating the water accounts for 90 percent of the energy used in washing machines. Cold water with detergent cleans as effectively as a warm wash, saves energy, and slows wear and tear on your clothes. Use hot water just when you really need to sanitize something (if there has been an illness in the house, for instance).
Add to ideabook by Crate&Barrel by Crate&Barrel Woven Green and White Laundry Basket - $39.95 » Pretty woven baskets in crisp white and chartreuse add a cheerful note to a mundane chore. Tuck them along the closet floor or stack a few on a shelving unit.
Add to ideabook by Chioco Design by Chioco Design Test carefully on sensitive surfaces. Because of the high temperature, steam cleaners cannot be used on all surfaces. Most of the time, sealed hard flooring is fine and unfinished wood and porous tile are not — but read the instructions to check the recommendations for your device. To be on the safe side, start by using your steam cleaner on a small, out-of-the-way area, like the floor under your bed or an inside corner of your drapes. Add to ideabook by Courtney Blanton Interiors by Courtney Blanton Interiors
Add to ideabook by Amazon by Amazon Haan FS20 Plus Steam Cleaning Floor Sanitizer With Deluxe Sanitizing Tray - $189.99 » Best suited for: Sealed hard floors (linoleum, sealed wood and tile). An attachment is included for refreshing carpets. If your home has hardwood floors or tile, count yourself lucky — most of the steam cleaners meant for hard surfaces carry a much lower price tag than the carpet-cleaning models. This steam mop from Haan sanitizes hard floors, killing dust mites, germs and bacteria with powerful 212-degree steam heat.
Add to ideabook by HAAN USA by HAAN USA AllPro Portable Hand Held Steam Cleaner - $59.95 » Best suited for: Hard surfaces in kitchens and bathrooms. It includes attachments for upholstery, household fabrics and clothes. This versatile little steam cleaner from Haan can be used just about anywhere — perfect if you don't have lots of carpets (an upright or canister steam cleaner would be better for that) but want to deep clean hard surfaces and textiles.
Add to ideabook by Chioco Design by Chioco Design How to get the most from your steam cleaner: Vacuum carpets both before and after steam cleaning — the steam cleaner will bring deep dirt to the surface but won't completely remove it. Use only distilled water to fill the reservoir in your steam cleaner, unless the instructions say otherwise. Tap water contains deposits that can damage the machine and void warranties. Some steam cleaners get quite hot during the cleaning process. To be on the safe side, maneuver the machine only by the handle. More
Add to ideabook by Courtney Blanton Interiors by Courtney Blanton Interiors Clean all around the house with a hand-held steam cleaner. The beauty of some of the new hand-held steam cleaners is the ease with which they can tackle chores that would otherwise need to be sent out. Drapes can be steam cleaned right where they hang, and pillow covers, upholstery and clothing can all be easily refreshed.
8. Set up your laundry room for success. Keeping a tub for soaking stained items on top of the washer will remind you to treat stains promptly. Give your natural cleaning supplies a home on a shelf, choose a dedicated spot for storing your drying rack between uses, and hang a handy stain-removal chart where you can easily refer to it.
Q