Once upon a time, the goal of cleaning was to remove dirt – plain and simple. We didn’t think twice about spraying bleach, ammonia or a dozen other chemicals onto every surface of our homes in an effort to destroy germs and ensure no one got sick.

But, times change and so too does our understanding of how safe toxic cleaners with bleach and ammonia really are. Today, a whole movement has developed around cleaning without chemical laden cleaners that make people sick and worsen indoor air quality in Richardson. Let’s take a closer look at some of the best replacements available.

• Soap – There are plenty of soaps without scents or chemical additives that are biodegradable and safe to use on eating surfaces. Look out for anything with petroleum bases, however.
• Lemon – Lemon and other citric bases are fantastic for killing bacteria on eating surfaces and in bathrooms. Many organic cleaners these days use orange or lemon concentrates as an antibacterial.  Also consider a UV germicidal light to cut down on air borne bacteria and germs.
• Vinegar – Vinegar is fantastic for cutting grease and removing mildew or odors from surfaces. It can even dig into wax build ups and stains on clothing.
• Alcohol – Isopropyl alcohol kills almost all forms of germs, bacteria and viruses. An alternative is 100% alcohol in a water solution (70/30) as some commercial alcohols have been linked to additional health problems.
• Cornstarch – This works wonders for cleaning rugs and carpets, polishing furniture and cleaning windows.
• Borax – Borax is an old brand and a simple solution of sodium borate, safe and effective for cleaning walls, floors, and surfaces in your kitchen.

There are a lot of other alternatives to chemically based cleaners that use mixed formulas. Some examples include:

• Air Freshening – A mixture of baking soda and lemon juice works wonders for absorbing odors while grinding lemon slices in a garbage disposal will kill any unwanted sink odors.
• Mold and Mildew – Hydrogen Peroxide mixed 1 part to 2 parts water is highly effective in removing mold and mildew from shower stalls, flooring and ceilings. Don’t use it just before showering, however.
• Stains – Stains on your carpet can be removed with a mixture of water and vinegar while borax and vinegar work well for big time stains on the carpet.

The key is to know there are alternatives to chemically laden cleaners known to cause a wide variety of health problems, but during and after use.  Please call A#1 Air to learn more about environmentally friendly clean up strategies.