Cleaning Your Kitchen the Safe Way
The kitchen is a messy place. Between spills and everyday food preparation, there are plenty of opportunities for the area to get dirty. It may be easy to just clean up using normal disinfectant products, but do you really want those chemicals around your food? Everyday products can be harmful to you, your family and even your pets, causing ailments like burns, respiratory issues and more. If there is a poison warning on the label, it simply shouldn’t be near those you care about. Here are some healthier and more eco-friendly methods for cleaning your kitchen.
Disinfectant
Bleach is a top disinfectant used in the United States, but that does not mean it is the safest way to kill germs. Studies have shown that bleach can cause skin and eye irritation, worsen asthma, create new cases of asthma and more. Many retail disinfectants contain ammonia, and when bleach is mixed with them, it can actually create a toxic gas. If you still want to purchase your cleaner from stores or online, check out the Environmental Working Group’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning. They provide rankings of different chemicals used by brands, a search tool to look up products and even resources that can teach you how to interpret a product’s label for safety.
Want to avoid this research altogether? Vinegar is your answer. It’s a powerful cleaner that can be used on most surfaces — it lifts stains, leaves streak-free windows and more. Add some water to vinegar, put it in a spray bottle and you’re good to go. For some extra cleaning power, look up recipes for a vinegar/baking soda combination.
Deodorizing
Kitchen odors are horrible, but thankfully can be naturally remedied with items you likely already have in your home. Vinegar is an amazing cleaner not just for surfaces, but for the air as well. If you’ve removed the source of the stink and it still lingers, try setting out some bowls of vinegar. It will absorb the smell and rid your kitchen of odors quickly. Baking soda can be used the same way. Have a smelly sink? Garbage disposals can be great for getting rid of the last dinner scraps, but sometimes the odor escapes. Try putting a citrus fruit, such as part of a lemon or a couple orange slices in it and letting it run. The fresh scent will cover it right up.
Pest Control
Because of all the food in the kitchen, pests will naturally be attracted to the area. To avoid these critters, be sure to seal and package all open containers, making it more difficult for them to find the food. Also be sure to sweep up any crumbs or drops from food and drink so they cannot be sustained. Sometimes this is not completely effective and pests can still find their way in. If you want to create a strong barrier against these intruders, consider using a pest-control service that also is safe for your family. Orkin, for example, provides prevention tips and services, and treat pests that may already have made their way in to your living area without jeopardizing your health. For severe problems that can’t be treated naturally, ask about safety for babies and pets. Check all treatments first by asking for a MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) and research each chemical and product, on your own, for safety.
Keeping your kitchen clean does not mean you have to use harsh and dangerous chemicals. There are plenty alternatives to mainstream products if you just do a little research and are willing to get crafty with some ingredients at home. Protect your family, pets and the environment by switching over to natural replacements.
