Maintaining household sanitation is necessary to have a healthy home. But, you must do it sustainably because using chemical cleaners and non-recyclable tools impacts the environment adversely.
Australia has a waste management and recycling problem to which you knowingly or unknowingly contribute through poor cleaning habits and practices. Australians generated 7.8 Mt hazardous (including household chemicals), 2.5 Mt plastic and 5.9 Mt of paper waste, per the
National Waste Report 2020. Therefore, the need of the hour is to clean, keeping the planet in mind.
When you need to perform an extensive clean at the end of a tenancy, hire professional end of lease cleaners in Canberra who use green products & tools. However, here are ten eco-friendly cleaning tips for regular house cleaning to sanitise your home sustainably.
1. Say Yes to Natural Cleaners
Unless your household areas are extremely soiled or need professional cleaning, routinely sanitise them with organic products. Cleaning vinegar, baking soda, soap nuts, oxalic acid, rock salt and Castile soap, among others, are natural cleaners readily available in homes. These products are non-toxic and safe to use around children and pets.
2. Don’t Use Antibacterial Wipes
Antibacterial products eliminate good and bad bacteria equally, which gives rise to strains of multi-resistant organisms (MROs) that you cannot kill, even with harsh disinfectants.
Using antibacterial wipes is also bad for the environment because the wipes aren’t biodegradable. Soap and water work excellently to sanitise household surfaces, and you can use a mild solution if you need to disinfect.
3. Invest in Energy-efficient & Green Cleaning Equipment
Before purchasing any cleaning equipment, check its energy star rating to determine its energy efficiency and consumption. Additionally, choose machines that reduce the usage of chemical cleaners and non-reusable products.
For example, steam cleaners usually only need water to sanitise and disinfect household surfaces. Thus, professional cleaners who offer
detailed end of lease cleaning Canberra use such tools to clean effectively and economically.
4. Dispose of Plastics & Chemicals Responsibly
Never dispose of chemical cleaners in the drain or garden, as they contaminate the soil and water.
Additionally, collect plastic bottles, tools, single-use items and other waste in separate bags. Contact your nearest recycling and waste management centre when you need to dispose of chemicals and plastics responsibly. With their guidance, you can plan a waste collection or drop-off.
5. Limit Use of Non-reusable Cleaning Tools
Make an effort to limit the usage of paper towels, disposable wipes, tissues, and non-reusable cleaning tools. Aim to stop purchasing these products, as most paper and plastic waste generated from these products end up in landfills. Replace such tools with washable cleaning cloths, towels and rags made with cotton, microfiber or other eco-friendly materials.
6. Use Bio-degradable Sponges & Scrubbers
While plastic sponges and scouring pads are durable and long-lasting, they don’t degrade for years and create land/water pollution. Therefore, use sponges & scrubbers made with cellulose, coconut husk, and other plant-based materials.
7. Get Indoor Plants
Purify the air in your home with house plants that are easy to maintain and neutralise toxins. The best indoor plants are sage, spider plant, peace lily, pot mum, English ivy and bamboo palm. These plants can
make your house look welcoming and fresh all year round. What’s more, you don’t need an air purifier if you can take care of house plants and keep them thriving.
8. Avoid Cleaners with VOCs
VOCs cause pollution when they end up in water, land and air. Most commercial cleaning products contain volatile organic compounds that pollute your home’s indoor air and are bad for humans and animals. Common VOCs in cleaners include 2-butoxyethanol, Benzene, Toluene, Chlorinates, Phthalates, Isothiazolinones etc. Avoid buying cleaner with these chemicals by reading the list of ingredients on the label.
9. Use Oils to Remove Grimy & Sticky Messes
You can use oils to tackle stubborn grime and sticky spots instead of harsh cleaners with harmful chemicals like ammonia, hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide etc. Vegetables, lemon, tea tree, olive, coconut, and other natural/essential oils are effective against greasy build-up, food carbons, sticker residues, glue stains etc.
All you need to do is apply oil on a sponge and scrub the dirty surfaces in a circular motion. Oil will loosen the grime and make it easier to wipe off the surface and wash with soap and water.
10. Hire a Green Cleaning Service
Reputed end of lease cleaning companies in Canberra understand their responsibility towards the planet and encourage their cleaners to use green cleaning products and energy-efficient equipment. They limit the use of single-use plastics and disposable cleaning items.
Moreover, they clean with proper techniques and methods to reduce wastage or excessive usage of cleaners. Thus, you can benefit from
hiring an eco-friendly cleaning service when you cannot sanitise your home.
The Bottom Line
Cleaning your house is crucial to keep household members healthy and productive. While buying and using commercial cleaning products is easier, you must consider the environment because their usage impacts the planet adversely.
Therefore, when ending a tenancy, hire a green end of lease cleaning service in Canberra to clean your rental property sustainably. Also, follow the above-mentioned eco-friendly cleaning tips for sanitising your home without endangering the environment.
