Four natural cleaning methods for a sparkling bathroom
Photo by Zac Gudakov on Unsplash
The cleaning product industry is a big business, with supermarket shelves lined with plastic bottles and chemical concoctions for every stain, spot, and issue you could think of. But not only are many of these products harsh on the environment, they’re also dangerous for our health. Furthermore, traditional cleaning products are usually packaged in plastic, which is fast mounting in the world’s oceans with devastating consequences.
Luckily, natural and sustainable cleaning methods are becoming more and more popular in today’s eco-conscious society. But can you effectively clean a bathroom without chemicals or bleach? The answer is a resounding yes, and in fact, all you need are some ingredients that you are likely to already have in your kitchen cupboards.
Here we will take you through four natural cleaning methods to make your bathroom sparkle, without damaging your health or the environment.
Eco bleach
Many people reach for bleach when it’s time to clean their toilet, but household bleach is an extremely corrosive and dangerous chemical to have in your home. The fumes from bleach are toxic to children and pets and can cause respiratory issues, plus once you wash it away it poisons the water, making it lethal to aquatic life.
But there are eco-friendly and non-toxic alternatives to bleach that deliver the same germ-killing efficiency. Derived from naturally occurring ingredients, eco-bleach is safer to use and will degrade without leaving lasting damage to our environment.
Baking soda
Baking soda is a safe, natural product that is cheap and easy to use in a variety of ways to help you get your bathroom sparkling. As it’s gently abrasive, baking soda is very effective at absorbing foul smells. This makes it great for toilets and the surrounding floor.
Work a handful of baking powder into a paste with a little water and apply it in circles around the toilet to remove urine stains and any other grime. For extra cleaning power, add a couple of drops of lemon essential oil into the mix for antibacterial properties and a fresh fragrance. Inside the toilet, opt for a cup of baking soda and leave it to work for an hour before flushing it to leave it clean and white.
If your grout is looking less than white, a paste of baking soda and water scrubbed in with an old toothbrush is a great solution. For stubborn stains, leave for a few hours before rinsing off.
White vinegar
White vinegar is a powerful cleaning supply that works as a natural disinfectant and stain remover. You only need to add a splash to a bucket of hot water for a safe yet effective solution perfect for wiping all bathroom surfaces, from the bath and taps to the tiles, walls and floors.
White vinegar is also a brilliant limescale remover and can be used to unclog shower heads by submerging them for 12 hours. For other taps with hard water build-up, or non-removable shower heads, fill a bag with white vinegar and tie it around so they are submerged.
For flawless mirrors and taps, mix a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water to create your own eco-friendly glass cleaner. Using a microfiber cloth to buff in gentle circles is a good way to avoid streaks and smears.
Whilst both are powerful cleaning agents, be wary of natural cleaning recipes that recommend the use of baking soda and vinegar in the same mix. The two compounds cancel each other out, so unless you are mixing them directly on a surface, they are best used independently.
Lemons
Lemons are such a versatile fruit, packed with antioxidants and vitamins that have multiple health benefits when consumed. But aside from tasting delicious, lemons are a very effective and blissfully natural cleaning product.
The citric acid in lemons cuts through grease and breaks down dirt, whilst the antibacterial properties help to destroy any germs on the way. When mixed with white vinegar, lemon juice becomes a strong cleaning product that can easily match any traditional and environmentally damaging product. Try using half a lemon to rub over surfaces before wiping with warm water for a sparkling and fresh-smelling bathroom.
Small changes, big impact
Even one household making the switch to more eco-friendly and natural cleaning products makes a massive difference to the welfare of our planet. By making the change to natural cleaning, you’ll be doing your part to protect the environment and the health of your family. Plus, as these green options are so easy to find and versatile, you’re likely to save some money, too. To save on plastic, blend these sustainable solutions at home and store them in eco-friendly containers, ready for use whenever your bathroom requires a once-over.
If you're looking for further cleaning advice, take a look at the following posts - Kitchen Cleaning Tips - Bathroom Cleaning Habits You Can't Live Without - The Key to Clean Shower Glass.
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