From Guest Blogger Eileen O’Shanassy: Green Clean–Safe Solutions for Your Dirtiest Areas

A dirty home is bad for your health. On the other hand, exposure to harsh cleaning chemicals can be just as bad. The only way to avoid both of those problems is to keep your home clean with safer, healthier cleaning products and it’s not as hard as it sounds. The average person can do it without too much effort. Here are some tips to help you get started in creating your own green home.
Prevent Problems

The only thing better than solving a problem is preventing it, so any green cleaning program should start with prevention. Most messes are easiest to clean when they’re fresh, so don’t procrastinate when the time comes to clean. Prioritize moist areas, since they’re a perfect environment for mold growth and other bacteria. Some pollution also comes from living creatures. Termites and other insects can damage a home, which allows water and other contaminants to spread. Mice can leave their droppings all over a home, which makes a mess that can spread disease. The best way to prevent these problems is to call a pest control company at the earliest sign of trouble. They can deal with the problem more easily than the average homeowner, and according to a Boise pest control, these companies will be qualified to handle traps and sprays without causing more problems than they solve.

Use Safe Acids

Many cleaning solutions are acidic since acids are good at dealing with grease and bacteria. Acids vary in intensity, and cleaning solutions are often stronger than necessary for most household uses. Weaker acids are safer for humans to handle, so you should substitute them whenever possible. Lemon juice works fairly well and also spreads a fresh aroma when you use it. White vinegar is another useful tool, and is especially good at removing grease and stains.

Consider Alcohol

Most scientists keep alcohol in their lab, but it isn’t for drinking. Alcohol is an extremely powerful disinfectant, so it’s appropriate for getting rid of bacteria and mold. It’s also a great option for cleaning glass and metal surfaces. Make sure to use a soft cloth with the alcohol to prevent scratching. There are several different types of alcohol. Rubbing alcohol is the best one for cleaning by a large margin, since alcoholic beverages include additives that make the mess even bigger. Rubbing alcohol is usually usable right out of the bottle, but you can often dilute it to make the bottle last longer. Regardless of the dilution, always use it in a ventilated area to prevent intoxication from the fumes. Those fumes can burn, so it’s also important to keep it away from flame. As long as you take those precautions, rubbing alcohol can clean and sterilize almost anything.

Getting a good clean doesn’t necessarily mean pulling out the most chemicals. Getting a green home is easy when you focus on natural products and find ways to use these as cleaning agents instead.