Most of us buy numerous types of cleaning supplies off the grocery store shelves. Ammonia, bleach, and a host of other chemicals fill our grocery carts, and then our homes. Many products containing these substances have been used for decades or longer, yet not everyone knows how to clean with them safely, which can lead to serious and sometimes dangerous safety hazards.
If you purchase and use a variety of chemical products to clean or repair your home, you may want to check out the following suggestions for keeping your family safe from fumes, burns, and even explosions that can occur when products are used inappropriately or incompatibly with each other.
The number of different types of laundry detergent is truly astonishing: powder, liquids, tablets, plastic things that dissolve in the wash, detergent to be put in the machine, detergent to put in the dispenser, regular detergent and 'ultra' detergent which is a stronger formulation, so you can use less.
In addition to the formulation, consider the type of clothes you will be washing and how dirty they are. For protein stains, such as egg, blood and vomit, a biological detergent, which contains enzymes, is particularly effective. Detergents that have been specially formulated for whites usually contain oxygen bleaches and/or optical brightening agents. While they will brighten whites, they can cause fading or spotting if used on coloured fabrics.
If you're looking for a powered cleaning machine for your home it can be a little confusing at first because there are several different but similar-sounding options. The information below explains some basic terminology and concepts to help you decide which steam mop or floor cleaning machine works best for your needs.
In a steam cleaner, only the steam itself is used as the cleaning agent, no detergents or chemicals are added.
Steam mops come mounted on mop handles to deliver steam directly to a floor. Handheld steam cleaners go anywhere around the house and use various attachments to clean all surfaces including counters, drapes, upholstery, furniture, walls, showers, tiles and grout, etc.
Baking soda is affordable, widely available and great for many uses. The uses for baking soda around your home are almost endless, which is really cool since baking soda is natural, non toxic and cheap. The reason that bicarb has so many uses is because of its amazing chemical structure. Mixing your own basic baking soda solution is the first step in limiting your family’s exposure to harmful household chemicals. You can substitute some or all of your cleaning products with this formula and other natural cleaning solutions made from safe, readily available ingredients.
Baking Soda cleans, deodorizes, softens water, scours... It is commonly used for deodorizing your refrigerator, but did you know that you can also use it for heat rash and as a substitute for spackle?
