Eco-Friendly Cleaning: How to Go Green in Your Home Routine

DIY All-Purpose Cleaner

Create your all-purpose cleaner using ingredients like white vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils. This eliminates the need for store-bought cleaners with harsh chemicals. Make sure you perform research before mixing your own chemicals. We test and research all of our eco friendly products before we use them in homes.
Reusable Cleaning Cloths

Instead of disposable paper towels, opt for reusable cleaning cloths made from microfiber or natural fibers. They are washable, reducing waste.
Switch to Green Cleaning Products

Choose environmentally friendly cleaning products with biodegradable and plant-based ingredients. Look for products labeled as non-toxic and free from harsh chemicals.
Reduce Single-Use Plastics

Invest in refillable cleaning product containers to reduce single-use plastic waste. Many eco-friendly brands offer refill options.
Use Lemons for Cleaning: Lemons have natural antibacterial and antiseptic properties. Use lemon juice to clean surfaces, deodorize, and remove stains.
DIY Air Fresheners

Create your air fresheners using natural ingredients like essential oils and baking soda. This eliminates the need for synthetic air fresheners with harmful chemicals.
Composting Kitchen Waste

Instead of throwing away kitchen scraps, start a compost bin. Composting reduces landfill waste and creates nutrient-rich soil for plants.
Energy-Efficient Appliances

When it's time to replace cleaning appliances, opt for energy-efficient models. They consume less energy, reducing your carbon footprint.
Cold Water Laundry

 Wash laundry in cold water to save energy and preserve the colors of your clothes. Consider line-drying instead of using a clothes dryer when possible.
Bamboo Cleaning Tools

 Choose cleaning tools made from sustainable materials like bamboo. Bamboo is renewable and biodegradable, making it an eco-friendly alternative to plastic.
Natural Pest Control

 Use natural pest control methods, such as planting pest-repelling plants or using essential oils, instead of chemical insecticides.
Rainwater for Plants

Collect rainwater to water your plants. This reduces reliance on tap water and saves energy associated with water treatment.
Recycle Cleaning Containers: Ensure that containers from cleaning products are recycled appropriately. Many cleaning product bottles and packaging are recyclable.
Energy-Efficient Vacuuming

Choose an energy-efficient vacuum cleaner with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to improve indoor air quality.
Open Windows for Ventilation

Increase natural ventilation by opening windows when cleaning. This reduces the need for artificial air fresheners and improves indoor air quality.
By incorporating these eco-friendly cleaning tips into your routine, you can create a cleaner and greener living space while minimizing your environmental impact.

REDFIN FEATURE: Love-infused Living: 16 Ways to Bring Love Into Your Home

As we navigate the spaces we call home, there’s an inherent desire to create a living space that feels warm, comfortable, and connected. In this Redfin article that we are featured in, we will look into 16 creative and meaningful ways to bring love into your home. From thoughtfully chosen decor and aromatic additions to personal touches that resonate with cherished memories, these suggestions aim to transform your living space into a haven of love. So whether you’re looking to bring love into your home in Medford, MA, or apartment in Portland, ME, embark on this journey to discover how simple, intentional choices can significantly enhance the love-filled ambiance within the walls of your home. Be sure to check out Love-infused Living: 16 Ways to Bring Love Into Your Home.

How to keep your house clean and organized?

Sometimes cleaning and tidying the house looks like a very big task. If you do not have the right equipment by your side, it definitely is the biggest task.

Let us first make a list of things you have to do to keep your home clean and tidy. It could be a long list on certain days and a very short one on others. So before you start cleaning and organizing things, make a list of things that you need to do in order to have a clean house.

Fast House Cleaning Tips

1. Set a Timer

Challenge yourself to a quick cleaning sprint by setting a timer for 10-15 minutes. Focus on a specific area, and you'll be surprised at how much you can accomplish in a short time.

2. Gather Cleaning Supplies

Before starting, gather all your cleaning supplies in a caddy. This prevents you from running back and forth, saving valuable time during your cleaning session.

3. Tackle High-Priority Areas

Identify the most visible or frequently used areas in your home and give them a quick once-over. This could be the living room, kitchen, or bathroom areas that guests are likely to see.

3. Invest in a Handheld Vacuum

For a speedy clean-up, keep a handheld vacuum on hand. These compact and portable devices are perfect for quickly tackling crumbs, pet hair, and surface debris. They're especially useful for high-traffic areas and smaller spaces where a full-sized vacuum may be impractical. A handheld vacuum allows you to address messes promptly, maintaining a tidier home in minutes.

4. Delegate Tasks

If you have family members or housemates, delegate tasks to speed up the cleaning process. Everyone can tackle a specific area or task, making the job faster and more efficient.

5. Declutter Flat Surfaces

Clear off clutter from countertops, tables, and other flat surfaces. A clutter-free space creates the illusion of cleanliness, even if you haven't deep-cleaned every corner.

7 things you should never clean with white vinegar

These are the things you should never (ever!) clean with white vinegar

If you look up any cleaning hack, you’re bound to see white vinegar as one of the magic ingredients. From removing stubborn stains to getting rid of grime and deodorizing, white vinegar seems to be the solution to every problem when knowing how to clean every room of your home

What’s more, white vinegar is a natural product that can easily be found in our kitchen cupboards, saving us the hassle of buying chemical-laden cleaning products. And together with baking soda (its partner in crime), these household items make the ideal cleaning combo to tackle our chores.

But did you know that there are certain things you should never clean with white vinegar? In fact, these need to be avoided as white vinegar will cause more damage than good (on this occasion!)

Despite its cleaning powers, white vinegar is highly acidic, which doesn’t bode well with certain surfaces. To avoid damage (and costs), these are the top things experts warn you to never clean with white vinegar. Just don’t even think about it! 

1.  Marble and granite countertops/tiles 

The acidity of vinegar can etch or wear away at natural stone surfaces. This can cause discoloration to the finish, and ruin its smooth and shiny appearance. What’s more, marble, granite or any other natural stone are expensive materials, so repairing any damage can be costly. 

The best way to keep your marble and granite tops sparkling is to use dish soap and warm water. You can’t go wrong!

2.  Waxed furniture

Similarly, if you often use white vinegar to clean waxed or varnished furniture, it will wear away the shiny surface. Although many cleaning hacks suggest vinegar to clean furniture and dining tables, just be mindful of the type of surface. If in doubt, you can buy a formulated wood cleaner like this Therapy Furniture Polish & Wood Cleaner Kit ($16, Amazon) to get your furniture in top form.

3. Hardwood floors 

The acidity in white vinegar can cause damage to hardwood floors, and strip the shiny surface. Instead, use a gentle cleaner like warm soapy water to maintain your beautiful hardwood flooring. Remember not to soak the floor or leave too much moisture on hardwood as this can warp the floor over time. Alternatively, use a specific hardwood floor cleaner such as Rejuvenate Professional Wood Floor Restorer and Polish ($21, Amazon) to protect your flooring. If you don't want to do the work yourself, check out our picks for the best robot mops.

4. Kitchen knives 

If you have stains on your fancy set of knives, avoid using white vinegar to clean them. The acidic content can corrode the metal blades and dull knife edges. The best way to maintain your kitchen knives is to simply wash with soap and warm water before thoroughly drying.

5.  Egg stains 

Although white vinegar is given much credit for removing tough stains, egg stains isn’t one of them. The acidity of the vinegar will only stiffen the egg (much like adding vinegar to water to poach eggs), making it more difficult to remove. 

The best way to safely remove an egg stain is to mix a solution of two teaspoons of liquid dish soap in two cups of cool water. Then, dip a sponge, white cloth or soft-bristled brush in the solution and work into the stain. Once the stain is lifted out, blot with a clean, damp cloth or paper towel.  

6. Computer and phone screens 

While it may be tempting to use white vinegar to get a shiny and mark-free screen, it’s a bad idea. Vinegar will only strip off the protective coating of the screen and should not be used on electronic devices. Instead, use microfiber cloths to wipe away any dust particles or dirt. You can also buy specially formulated cleaners such as Eveo Screen Cleaner Spray ($20, Amazon) for spotless screens.

7. Rubber items 

Whether it’s the rubber found inside your washing  machine, fridge or any other item, avoid cleaning with white vinegar. The strong acidity of white vinegar can wear down the rubber, causing the material to degrade over time. Instead, the safest way to deep clean or deodorize rubber is simply soapy water or a solution of warm water and baking soda. 

If any of this surprises you, here are 10 things you didn’t know you could clean with baking soda for a spotless home. 

15 Ways to Clean Your House like a Pro

Better Techniques

Household cleaning is such an exciting thing to do—said no one, ever. It’s essential, though, for keeping a home tidy and healthy, and it can be a lot easier than you might think. By adopting the same techniques used by professional cleaning companies, not only will you finish the chores more quickly, the house will reach a whole new level of clean. It’s all about organization and better cleaning techniques.

  • 1. Gather Your Gear
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  • 2. Use Products First
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  • 3. Declutter, then Clean
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  • 4. Establish a Pattern
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  • 5. Skip the Mop in the Bathroom
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  • 6. Dust First, Vacuum Last
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  • 7. Vacuum Furniture
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  • 8. Use Microfiber on Stainless
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  • 9. Watch the Grain on Hardwood
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  • 10. Bring a Trash Bag
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  • 11. Vacuum the Kitchen
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  • 12. Scrape for the Best Sparkle
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  • 13. Disinfect Sinks with Bleach
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  • 14. Triple-Line Trash Cans
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  • 15. Squeegee the Shower
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