People have been using chemicals to clean their homes and offices in the past. But now, more and more people are switching to eco-friendly cleaning products. These eco-friendly products are suitable for the environment and safe for humans and pets.
Eco-friendly cleaning is all about using natural and sustainable products to clean your house. There are many reasons to go eco-friendly when it comes to cleaning. They include:
- The health benefits of using natural products instead of harsh chemicals
- No environmental impact of the waste generated by the chemicals used in traditional cleaners
- The cost-effectiveness of eco-friendly cleaners, which tend to be less expensive than conventional cleaners
With all of these benefits, you might be interested in knowing more about how you can keep your home germ-free in an eco-friendly way, which you can find in this article below.
Throw out the toxins
According to Maid Sailors, one of the easiest and the best things you can do for your home and your family is to get rid of toxic cleaning materials.
Toxic cleaning materials are a significant contributor to the rise of environmental pollution. They can be found in many household products, such as air fresheners, detergents, dishwashing liquid, and soaps. These products contain chemicals that harm the environment and you and your family.
These chemicals are linked to several health problems. Therefore, if you’re looking to have a healthier home greener way, you can start with this step.
Make use of vinegar
Vinegar is a natural cleaner that you can use for many different tasks around the house. It removes stubborn stains, eliminates odors, and disinfects surfaces. It is an excellent alternative to the chemicals in store-bought cleaners.
You can use vinegar for many purposes, such as cleaning floors, sinks, and countertops, removing soap scum from shower doors and tile, cleaning windows and mirrors, as well as removing stains from carpets and upholstery. It’s versatile, affordable, and non-toxic, so if you want to make DIY household cleaners, this is an excellent ingredient to include.
Use citrus fruits
Speaking of good ingredients for DIY household cleaners, citrus fruits are an excellent natural cleaning material. They can clean surfaces and remove the bacteria that accumulate on them. They also have a pleasant smell, and they can make your house smell fresh.
The best way to use citrus fruits is to cut them into halves or quarters, then rub them on the surface that needs to be cleaned. You should do this in a circular motion until you see that the dirt has been removed from the surface.
The acidity in citrus fruits helps them remove stains from clothes and other fabrics. You can also use them to scrub down your bathroom and kitchen sinks, as well as other hard surfaces around the house.
Clean with essential oils
Essential oils are all-natural products that are often made from plants. They are used for many purposes, including cooking and cleaning.
Cleaning with essential oils is a great way to get rid of bad smells and clean your home. Some essential oils even have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiseptic properties.
Some people use essential oil diffusers, while others mix a few drops of the oil with water or soap. You can also add a few drops of the oil to a bowl of vinegar and then pour it all over your floor. The best way to clean with essential oils is to do it a little bit at a time because it’s not easy to get rid of the smell afterward.
Do note that one should never mix different types of oils because they might cause an adverse reaction in the body.
Get busy with a broom
Some people might be surprised to know that using a broom to clean the house is more eco-friendly than using a vacuum cleaner. This is because vacuums require electricity, which is not environmentally friendly. On the other hand, Brooms are made of natural materials like wood and can be used repeatedly.
The broom’s bristles are made out of natural biodegradable materials. The hairs on the broom brush help loosen dirt and grime off the surface, making it easier to clean up. The bristles also help reduce dust particles in the air by collecting them on the ground. Thus, keeping your floors clean without using up too many natural resources to do it.
Ditch paper towels
Paper towels are an everyday item that we don’t think about when we go into the kitchen and grab one. They are a convenience that we have come to rely on in our homes. However, they are not sustainable and environmentally friendly. Paper towels use up many resources and create a lot of waste, which is not suitable for the environment.
There are many reasons why paper towels aren’t sustainable, including:
- Paper towel manufacturing uses up a lot of water
- Paper towel manufacturing uses up a lot of energy
- Most paper towels don’t break down in landfills because they contain plastic fibers
- Many people use more than one paper towel at once, which leads to waste.
Given these reasons, you should opt for reusable and washable towels instead.
Support brands with B Corp certification
A B Corporation is a company that meets rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.
Not many are given this certification, which is why if they do, you know that they have gone through strict testing to pass. Thus, making these companies more trustworthy when their products claim eco-friendliness and sustainability.
Over to You
Ensuring your home is germ-free doesn’t mean that you must douse your house in harmful chemicals. Hopefully, the methods listed above can help show you that you can keep your home healthy while still making sure that you don’t end up harming the environment to do that.
Over Christmas, I bought the cutest tropical floral top at the Poppy Caravan pop-up in Florida. It was from the luxury lifestyle brand Ala von Auersperg. I was lucky enough to get to meet one of their fabulous stylists, Miss Trish. Maybe you remember her beautiful Miss Trish of Capri sandals? I really fell in love with Ala’s resort line. And my cute top is BEYOND. At first, I saw Trish wearing it over white jeans but then when I went into the shop to check out all the new arrivals, I wore it as a dress and it was even cuter. Here is a sneak peek of the current Ala von Auersperg collection. My favorite items are of course my ruffle poncho top, the tropical print flare pants, the seashell, and coral silk “Runaway Beach” dresses. But honestly, I do love everything. If you are traveling to the Palm Beach area visit the shop on Worth Ave or check out the Ala Website, HERE.
My good friend made this easy Million Dollar Dip for the Super Bowl and I had to get the recipe and share it with you. It was so great. It only takes a few minutes to make but it will leave your guests begging for more. Serve it at your next gathering with some tortilla chips and you will be the hit of the party. If you make it drop me a comment below and let me know how you like it!!!!
adapted from cooking professionally
1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
4 green onions, chopped into small pieces
1/2 cup bacon bits, pre-cooked
1/2 cup almonds, slivered
1 teaspoon garlic, minced
tortilla chips, optional, for serving
In a large serving bowl, combine the mayonnaise, cheddar cheese, green onions, bacon bits, almonds, and garlic.
Mix thoroughly until all of the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
Serve with tortilla chips or your preferred dip accompaniment!
My weakness is statement earrings. I always seem to pick up a pair here or there over any other wardrobe accessory. I feel like a statement earring brings any outfit to the next level. Above all else, I always get compliments on my earrings. I also receive so many requests for really special-looking pairs. Here are some of my favorites. I especially love the turquoise ones. I bought the pearl hoops last month and they have quickly become my favs. Happy Shopping!!!
ONE//TWO//THREE//FOUR//FIVE//SIX//SEVEN//EIGHT//NINE//TEN//ELEVEN//
If you are headed to someplace warm within the next few weeks, you are going to want to check out Sara Joy Beach Wear. I met Sara Joy through a friend and have been hooked ever since. I absolutely love her beach sarongs, wraps, and cover-ups. The prints and colors are so on-trend.
Each print in the artistic collection is created by Sara herself – so you can feel special in what you’re wearing. We strive to be a zero-waste business, manufacturing in small batches and using our waste fabric for new products. You’ll see a variety of beautiful cottons and each piece is One Size, made to be worn many different ways. You’ll see an ease of wear, a piece you’ll never want to take off because it feels so good.
Here are a few of my favorite Sara Joy pieces but to see the entire collection, click HERE.
Also, Sara is offering 10% off your entire order when you use the code “JOYFUL” at checkout.
I love all the Super Bowl food that I see everyone posting on Social Media but we thought this year we would serve one of my husband’s favorite dishes, Carbonara pasta. It’s so easy to make and very filling on its own so you do not need much else. Plus let keeps you away from all the chicken wings and chips!!!! Bon Appetit!!!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 pound pancetta diced
- 1-2 garlic cloves, minced, about 1 teaspoon
- 3-4 whole eggs
- 1 cup grated Parmesan or pecorino cheese
- 1 pound spaghetti (or bucatini or fettuccine)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fill a large pot of salted water put it on to boil
- While the water is coming to a boil, heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook slowly until crispy.Add the garlic and cook another minute, then turn off the heat and put the pancetta and garlic into a large bowl.
- In a small bowl, beat the eggs and mix in about half of the cheese.
- Once the water has reached a rolling boil, add the dry pasta, and cook, uncovered, at a rolling boil.
- When the pasta is al dente (still a little firm, not mushy), use tongs to move it to the bowl with the bacon and garlic. Let it be dripping wet. Reserve some of the pasta water. Move the pasta from the pot to the bowl quickly, as you want the pasta to be hot. It’s the heat of the pasta that will heat the eggs sufficiently to create a creamy sauce.Toss everything to combine, allowing the pasta to cool just enough so that it doesn’t make the eggs curdle when you mix them in.
6. Add the beaten egg mixture: Add the beaten eggs with cheese and toss quickly to combine once more. Add salt to taste. Add some pasta water back to the pasta to keep it from drying out.
Serve at once with the rest of the parmesan and freshly ground black pepper.