Eco-Friendly Cleaning

There has been a huge push in recent years to be truly aware of what you’re using to clean your home. Just like your food, it pays to pay attention to the ingredients on the label. You may be shocked to see what kinds of harsh chemicals are hiding in that helpful-looking bottle. Luckily, there are many alternatives that are safe and often more affordable than the average cleaning product. At Post House, our Evansville, Indiana apartments are already designed with sustainability in mind, so eco-friendly cleaning products and tips make a perfect complement. Check out these quick and easy solutions for cleaning the kitchen and bathroom!

Kitchen
The kitchen can be the source of some stubborn stains and sticky spots, but there are plenty of natural options to give it a good scrub. Try one of these options:

All-purpose cleaner: This is a super easy recipe. You’ll need citrus peels, a mason jar, vinegar, and a reusable spray bottle. Fill the mason jar with the peels, about halfway, and then fill the rest with vinegar. Let it sit for about two weeks, then drain the liquid into the spray bottle and discard the peels. Voila! Fresh, citrus-scented all-purpose cleaner.

Solution for dried gunk: If your kitchen counter has some spots with dried-on food (at least you think it is), then the solution is likely waiting for you nearby. Coffee grounds! Take those used coffee grounds, sprinkle them generously over the spots, and scrub them away with a damp cleaning cloth.

Make your stainless steel sink shine: Stainless steel is great in kitchens and easy to clean, but it can begin to look a little dull over time. To make your sink shine like new, give it the usual wipe-down with an all-purpose cleaner and soft cloth. After it’s fully dry, grab a ¼ cup of all-purpose flour. Take a dry cloth, dip it in the flour, and rub it all into the surface of your sink in circular motions. Then buff it out and watch your sink gain a new glow.

Freshen the garbage disposal: This is probably one of the easiest tips on this list. If you have a recipe that called for some lemon juice and didn’t use all the lemon, then you’re in luck. Take the lemon and slice it into wedges. Grab some ice from your freezer. Dump the ice (about a tray full) into your garbage disposal, then start the disposal while running cold water. Once it gets going, add the lemon wedges. Your disposal will smell fresh, and the whole process will sharpen the blades of the disposal.

Bathroom

This may take some convincing because many people have a false belief that only intense commercial cleaning products can get a bathroom properly clean. But that’s not true! There are some eco-friendly alternatives that can give you equally high-quality results. Here are some to get you started:

Shower/tub scrub: There’s no need to grab an expensive spray or even a paper towel for this one. All you need is coarse salt and either a lemon or a grapefruit. Cut the fruit in half, sprinkle it generously with the salt, and you have a scrubber that’s perfect for the tub or shower.

Shiny taps/faucets: If you’re not worried about lime or calcium buildup on your taps, you can use this hack to give you an extra glow on all your metal finishes. It takes just two items: olive oil and a rag. That’s it! In fact, you only need a few drops of the oil, give a good rub to the metal surface, and you’ll have gleaming fixtures in no time.

Toilet cleaner: This is probably the one that most people are hesitant about. How can you get a toilet thoroughly and hygienically clean with natural products? Turn to your kitchen, and you’ll find the solution right in front of you. Grab the baking soda and white vinegar. Mix about a tablespoon of baking soda in half a cup of vinegar and pour it all down the sides and into your toilet bowl. Let it sit for 20-30 minutes and scrub.

Streak-free mirrors: Everyone wants a streak-free shine on their mirrors, and it seems like you have to have just the right spray to get it done. Think again! You can grab two quick items for a streak-free and lint-free finish: brewed and cooled black tea and newspaper. Black tea has natural elements in it that fight grease, and newspaper is recyclable and won’t leave a residue behind.

Start your green cleaning journey with an apartment home focused on sustainability. Post House offers apartment homes with amenities like Nest thermostats and LED lighting. We have 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and studio apartments in Evansville that are part of a thriving mixed-use development. Give us a call to learn more and schedule a tour: (812) 308-4197