Avoid chemical and harmful products in the house.
During renovations, choose products and materials with low volatile organic compound (VOC) levels. Paints, solvents, glues, adhesives, cosmetics and other products may contain VOC’s. They contribute to global warming and can cause health problems such as respiratory problems, irritations, headaches or cancer.
When choosing your building materials, make sure they are either “VOC-free” or low in VOC emissions, in order to help protect our environment.
Use phosphate, chlorine, or ammonia-free detergent forwashing clothes. Look for products that carry the Organization for Economic Cooperation (OECD) label which guarantee a biodegradable product in less than 28 days or “Environmental Choice” certification that guarantees that a product is harmless to our health and the environment.
You can also do your washing in a more environmentally-friendly way by reducing the amount of fabric softener used, washing clothes in cold water, choosing an energy-efficient washing machine, hanging up clothes to dry and adjusting the amount of detergent that is required for cleaning your clothes.
Choose natural and biodegradable cleaning products forcleaning various home surfaces. Most cleaning products may contain corrosive, flammable and toxic substances that can irritate the skin and respiratory system. In addition, these products are harmful to the environment because after they are used, they are released into our sewers. Therefore, it is important to choose the most natural and environmentally-friendly products to ensure a healthier environment.
It is also possible to create your own low-cost maintenance products. Here are so home recipes that you can make yourself:
For an effective and natural cleaner:
• Pour 1 tablespoon of baking soda in a bowl, add 1 liter of hot water, and 1 tablespoon of white vinegar. You can add scent by putting 2 tablespoons of your favorite essential oil or lemon juice in the mixture.
To clean rugs:
• Sprinkle baking soda on the carpet surface to be cleaned, allow it to penetrate for about an hour, and then vacuum.
To clean mirrors and windows:
• Mix 1 cup of white vinegar to 5 cups of hot water. White vinegar cleans windows, prevents mold and is a good degreaser.
