5 ways to green your cleaning routine

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Lately, it seems like everyone’s getting green, and for good reason. We’re realizing that everything we do has an impact on the planet, and that we have great control in the impact that we create. A major area of “going green” concerns the choices we make at home, so today, I wanted to share 5 ways I’ve been going green with my cleaning routine, in hopes that it’ll inspire your own green journey.

1. Use green cleaning products. The easiest way to green your cleaning routine is, of course, by making sure you’re using naturally-derived cleaning products that clean without harsh chemical fumes or residue. Enter Clorox Green Works, an affordable line of products made with plant and mineral-based cleaning ingredients.

Target is the only place you can get the entire Green Works line, and because I’m in Target all the time anyway (please tell me I’m not the only one!), it was easy to pick up some Green Works products on my last shopping trip…

2. Let the fresh air in. I was shocked to learn that the air inside our homes is often more toxic than the air outside. This is partly due to the fact that our homes tend to be very well insulated, keeping in toxic substances. Who knew? Keeping your windows open as much as you can, especially while cleaning, can help push toxic air out and allow fresh air in.

3. Find a greener dry cleaner. The conventional dry cleaning industry uses a chemical called perchloroethylene, which is known to cause a number of health-related concerns, everything from mood issues to headaches to fatigue and even cancer (yikes!) A good alternative is to clean your clothes in cold water, or if special care is needed, find a Wet Cleaning Professional near you. Wet Cleaning is a new trend that offers a non-toxic, environmentally safe alternative to dry cleaning.

4. Use as few disposable products as possible. This is one area that I’m still working on, but making a commitment to avoid using disposable cleaning products (paper towels, paper napkins, disposable mop cloths, etc.) can go a long way towards how much waste ends up in landfills. Many people I know love microfiber cloths for cleaning, and since we all do laundry anyway, it won’t take any extra time to clean them.

5. Leave your shoes at the door. One of the simplest ways to keep a green home is by not letting the dirt in in the first place. Shoes track pollen, oil, animal waste, etc. into your home, which is especially icky for babies (who spend a lot of their time on the floor) and pets. Less dirt inside your home also means less need for cleaning, which amounts to less chemicals introduced into your home in the first place.

So tell me, what green cleaning strategies have you put in place? I’d love to hear what you do to green your cleaning routine!