5 tips: How to clean environmentally friendly

Taking care of our environment is something we at Städade Hem consider very important. But of course, it’s not just us who work with cleaning that can clean in an environmentally friendly way. We can all do our part, and every little thing makes a big difference if we all help out. Here are some ways you can make your cleaning gentler on the planet!

Opt for pure, natural cleaning products

Many worry about strong chemicals but are afraid not to get as good a result if they clean with milder cleaning products. But the fact is that many of those highly corrosive products are quite unnecessary. Soap solution and water work for most things, are completely natural and non-toxic. It’s also popular to clean with things you have at home in the kitchen, like lemon, baking powder and vinegar. But it’s good to bear in mind that vinegar is strongly corrosive. Therefore, it is important to dilute it properly with water, open windows for ventilation, and use gloves when cleaning with it.

There are quite a few products on the market that you can do without and thus benefit the environment. For example, do you need to spray air freshener frequently or use toilet blocks and similar products that can actually be replaced with small cleanings using soap solution? Remember that every little product you buy not only contains chemicals, but also has to be manufactured and transported to you, thus leaving an environmental footprint. If you also use concentrated cleaning products that are mixed with water, you reduce the number of deliveries needed across the country.

Choose eco-labelled products

When you buy dishwashing liquid and other cleaning products, look for the Bra Miljöval or Svanen labels. This way you know you’re buying products that don’t contain unnecessary chemicals that are harmful both to your health and the environment.

Many think that eco-labelled products must be worse than others, but in fact, there are many options that are at least just as good. Often they can even be cheaper than the big brands, because they don’t have the same large expenses for advertising as the more environmentally damaging ones. And even if it sometimes costs more to buy eco-labelled products, it’s worth the extra expense to keep your home and the planet free from toxins, isn’t it?

Vacuum before you mop

Another way to clean environmentally friendly is to vacuum before mopping. It might sound a bit scary, but the dust in our homes contains some toxins from plastic products and other things. Sewage treatment plants are not equipped to deal with these substances, and the toxins end up in the environment. Therefore, it’s good to vacuum before you mop. This way the vacuum cleaner removes most of the dust and the mop can take other dirt. When you then throw the dust into the paper bin, it will eventually be burnt, and the substances are thereby handled and don’t end up in nature.

You can also apply this when dusting if you want, by dusting with, for example, disposable dust cloths. These can be used many times and you can remove dust from them if there is too much. When the cloth has no more use, you throw it away and it is burnt together with the toxins. If you prefer to use a cloth, instead of rinsing or shaking it outside, hold it firmly and vacuum it so the dust disappears that way.

Avoid bleach

Bleach is indeed very effective, but unfortunately it is very bad for the environment. It contains a substance that is toxic to aquatic creatures. Although bleach is converted to harmless salt when it comes into contact with biomass and is said to be purified before it reaches lakes and streams, it is still not recommended. It is also not good for people to inhale the fumes. Especially if you have asthma and are sensitive to scents, you should avoid inhaling them. Rather find products made for tough dirt that are eco-labelled. These may need to work a little longer, but it is definitely worth it.

It is also important to be aware that mixing bleach with other cleaning products, for example toilet cleaners, can be directly hazardous to health because chlorine gas is formed. This is something many do because they think they want to clean the toilet extra well and don’t think about the consequences. Chlorine gas is very irritating to eyes and mucous membranes and can in the worst case cause lung damage and breathing difficulties. It is therefore best to keep bleach far away from your home to avoid mishaps!

Especially in homes where there are children, it is better not to have such strong chemicals at all, because if they accidentally ingest them, it’s a direct trip to the emergency room! If you still choose to have bleach at home, make sure it is stored high up where no children or pets can reach it.

Clean windows with dishwashing liquid

Window cleaner is often an environmental villain unless it is eco-labelled. And the truth is, it’s a completely unnecessary product when eco-labelled dishwashing liquid works much better! We are pros at window cleaning, so trust us when we say you can manage well without window cleaner! A bucket of warm water, dishwashing liquid, a sponge, a window scraper and a kitchen towel are all you need for sparkling clean windows and it’s not hard to learn; it just takes a little practice.

Are you having trouble getting windows clean without ugly streaks? Or do you never have time to tackle your dirty windows? Book window cleaning here!

Air-dry laundry

If you have the opportunity to skip the tumble dryer, it can be a good way to both reduce your electricity bill and contribute a bit to the environment by saving energy. However, do not hang laundry indoors, as it dramatically increases humidity and can be harmful to health and lead to, among other things, mould. Even in winter, you can hang laundry out to dry. When it’s cold, the humidity is much lower and the water in the clothes will evaporate. It may sound contradictory, but it works!

A bonus is that laundry hung outside smells nice and feels incredibly fresh when you bring it in!

Sweep up crumbs

If you happen to drop a package of crispbread on the floor, or if the children spill something, take out the good old broom instead of the vacuum cleaner. It’s quicker and you don’t waste any electricity on the crumbs! You can even have a special small broom just for this purpose that you always keep within reach.

Curious about how we as a cleaning company work to clean environmentally friendly? Why not book a meeting with us to learn more about how we can help you keep your home clean and tidy, while together caring for the environment? We are happy to tell you more and have much to share. Hope to hear from you!