People all over the world are dealing with the current pandemic, and most of us are spending a lot more time at home than we are used to. Although this time of uncertainty can be frustrating, self-isolation is a great opportunity to make some positive changes in your household and to employ more eco-friendly practices at home.

Maintaining a clean home in order to help keep germs under control, for example, is an important part of keeping both you and your family healthy, especially now when everyone is doing their part to help stop the spread of coronavirus. 

How to Clean the Eco-Friendly Way

What you clean and when depends on how much a surface or area of your home is used. Heavily touched surfaces (such as lightbulbs, doorknobs, faucets, etc.) should be cleaned multiple times a day. And while cleaning and disinfecting our homes is imperative, we shouldn’t forget to keep our planet healthy as well. Unfortunately, the majority of store-bought, chemical-based cleaning products aren’t just pricey, they may be harmful to human health and the environment. 

Luckily, there are lots of effective, all-natural alternatives you can utilize to keep your home clean, your family healthy, and the planet green – not just during this period of social-distancing, but in the long run as well.

Below are some of our favorite all-natural products you can use to make your own household cleaning products, as well as some of the best environmentally-friendly alternatives for cleaning and disinfecting your home.

1. Lemon

These citrus fruits have powerful antiseptic and antibacterial properties and are a natural deodorizer due to their high acidic content. Marinate lemon peel and white vinegar in a jar for a few days, then strain out the peel and use the vinegar as a cleaner. 

2. White Vinegar

White vinegar is a weak acetic acid that can be used in almost all aspects of home cleaning because it has strong antibacterial properties. It can also help remove strong scents from leftover cooking products, such as onion and garlic. For general surface cleaning, fill a spray bottle with half white vinegar and half water – then simply spray on and wipe clean.

3. Baking Soda

Like lemon, baking soda is also a great cleaner. A mixture of baking soda and water acts as a simple, all-purpose cleaner. 

4. Seventh Generation Disinfecting Spray

We love the eco-friendly cleaning product because all of the ingredients are naturally derived, including coconut extract, lemongrass oil, and a cornstarch-based water softener. This cleaner has a pleasant smell and it isn’t toxic, so you can feel good using it around your home. 

5. Method All-Purpose Compostable Cleaning Wipes

These lavender-scented saviors are sold in recycled packaging, made of ethically-sourced ingredients, shipped in biodiesel-fueled vehicles, produced in a LEED Certified facility, and are even compostable. 

6. ECOS All-Purpose Cleaner

ECOS has been making household cleaners that are safer for people, pets, and the planet for over 50 years. This cleaner is composed of plant-powered ingredients that remove everyday germs from numerous hard surfaces. Plus, the company’s facilities are powered by 100% renewable energy and use Carbon Neutral plants.

7. Better Life Surface Cleaner

This natural all-purpose cleaner is great for heavy-duty cleaning, like marks on the wall, spilled drinks on the floor, toothpaste on the counter, etc. All of Better Life’s formulas biodegrade 2-5 times faster than leading natural and conventional cleaners, and are also packaged using solar energy and recyclable materials.

8. NatureZWay Bamboo Perforated Towels

These towels can be hand-rinsed up to 100 times, which as you can imagine, helps reduce paper towel consumption and waste significantly. They function like cloth and can handle scrubbing and cleaning tasks all over the house. They’re also made from sustainable and renewable sources and leave minimal or no imprint on the earth at the end of the product life cycle. 

9. Better Life Dishwasher Gel

This product is free of toxins and is sourced entirely from plants and minerals such as coconut and corn. This eco-friendly cleaner is also free of phosphates, bleach, fragrances, dyes, SLES, and SLS. 

Note: Experts recommend dishwashing vs hand-washing dishes at this time. They also suggest using a sanitizing cycle on your dishwasher (if you have one) as these temperatures help sanitize your dishes and eliminate any germs. 

10. Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Surface Scrub

This non-scratching powder contains no chlorine or phosphates and is made with naturally safe ash and oxygen bleach. It’s great on tile, stainless steel, professional cookware, and porcelain features. 

Power your future with sustainable choices. Choose clean energy solutions with Spring Power & Gas for a more eco-friendly tomorrow.

Stay Healthy at Home

Although quarantine is an inconvenient reality for many, it’s crucial for public health and safety. On the bright side, all of this time at home comes with lots of opportunities for eco-friendly home improvement and for reducing our environmental impact. By focusing on small changes, like switching to natural cleaning products (such as the ones we’ve recommended above) to clean and disinfect your home, you can feel confident that you’re helping care for the planet as well.

Contact Spring Power & Gas and stay tuned to our blog to learn more about eco-friendly practices you can implement in your home right now. Establishing eco-friendly cleaning habits and using eco-friendly cleaning products is something you can do long after the quarantine to contribute to a cleaner planet.  

**Disclaimer: Spring Power & Gas cannot guarantee that the above natural cleaners will effectively kill the COVID-19 virus