So what are my favourite natural and basic cleaning products?
I was recently asked what my favourite natural and basic cleaning products were.
This is an interesting questing, because as a professional carpet cleaner, my life sort of revolves around cleaning products and stain removal techniques.
I will use the most appropriate professional cleaning product day to day.
But I always use what I consider to me the most eco friendly professional cleaning products at work.
In the home, I don’t usually reach for a branded product, I will assess the situation and make something up, usually, out of the larder!
I think with all the convenience and advertising we see, we are just trained day in and day out to buy products from the shop, use and throw away.
Even with the most eco friendly product, the chances are that it will come in plastic and end up a few weeks later in landfill.
So I try to avoid that whenever possible.
What are my favourite natural and basic cleaning products?
I think two products come straight to mind, and they are white vinegar and baking soda (Bicarbonate of soda)
And there are a few reasons for this.
Both are quite often found in the food cupboard, and both are safe to use, after all, they are both food ingredients.
How to remove that musty odour from the carpet
This is a simple one and one of my favourite natural and basic cleaning products
Sprinkle baking soda over the part of the carpet that smells. Leave it overnight.
It will absorb the smells from the carpet.
Just vacuum it up the next day. It’s a good stop gap between carpet cleans.
How to remove pet urine smell from carpet
This is another simple stop gap to get you through to your next professional carpet clean.
Apply a good amount of vinegar to the carpet and leave to soak for a good 30 minutes.
Then soak it up with kitchen towel or something similar.
Get it as dry as possible and then sprinkle backing soda over it.
Leave it overnight and vacuum the baking soda up in the morning.
Vinegar is a natural deodoriser.
How does baking soda get rid of smells?
Baking soda, scientifically known as sodium bicarbonate, serves as an alkaline agent with remarkable odour-neutralizing properties.
Upon encountering acidic odours, it starts a chemical reaction aimed at restoring balance by neutralizing them.
This interaction between the baking soda and the acidic compounds results in the formation of less pungent substances, effectively getting rid of unpleasant smells.
It’s the shift in pH levels triggered by this reaction really helps the elimination of odours.
Why is vinegar a good cleaner?
Vinegar is like a secret weapon when it comes to cleaning, and here’s why it works so well.
First off, it’s all about its acidity.
Vinegar’s got just the right level of acidity to tackle tough stains and grime without causing harm to your stuff.
It’s like a tough cleaner but gentle on surfaces and fabrics.
Think of it like this: vinegar has a pH level that’s pretty low, around 2.2.
That means it’s about ten times more acidic than your average pop drink.
When you use it to clean, especially on stains caused by minerals like limescale (that chalky stuff made of calcium carbonate), its acid power goes to work.
It breaks down those deposits, turning them into a harmless salt called calcium acetate, which easily washes away with water.
But that’s not all. Vinegar has got another trick up its sleeve.
It’s a germ-fighting superhero, and this is why it’s one of my favourite natural and basic cleaning products
Most everyday bacteria can’t stand up to its acidic environment, making it hard for them to survive and reproduce.
Remember pickling?
That’s when people use vinegar and salt to keep food from spoiling.
Well, the same principle applies to cleaning with vinegar.
Studies show it’s effective at killing off all sorts of germs, making your home cleaner and safer.
So, next time you reach for that bottle of vinegar, just know you’ve got a powerful cleaner on your side.
Be careful mixing vinegar with other products
Vinegar is a really useful product but be careful mixing it with other products.
Remember, it’s an acid, and can start chemical reactions.
It may be one of my favourite natural and basic cleaning products, but you must be careful mixing anything.
What not to mix vinegar with:
Marble, Granite, and Other Natural Stone Surfaces
Using vinegar on marble, granite, or other natural stones can spell trouble. The acid in vinegar might create pits or other damage, especially on surfaces like countertops and floors.
Stainless Steel
When it’s time to clean stainless steel items like knives or appliances, vinegar isn’t the best choice. Those acids in vinegar can cause pitting, so it’s smarter to go for cleaners without the acidity.
Waxed or Unfinished Wood
If you’ve got waxed or unfinished wood to clean, steer clear of full-strength vinegar. It could leave your wood discoloured. Instead, try diluted vinegar or a wood-safe cleaner that isn’t acidic.
Cast Iron
While vinegar might seem like a good idea for cast iron cookware, it’s not. It can ruin that non-stick surface by eating away at the seasoning layer. Over time, it could even cause pitting in the cast iron itself.
Grout
Vinegar might be a cleaning hero in some cases, but not for grout. Using it on unsealed or damaged grout can lead to erosion over time, making things worse. Stick to non-acidic cleaners to keep your grout intact.
Don’t mix vinegar with anything that contains chlorine bleach
Mixing vinegar with chlorine bleach is a big no-no. It creates a dangerous chemical reaction, producing toxic chlorine gas.
That’s what they used in the war to kill troops!
Remember, never mix these two.
The best way to remember this is never mix bleach with anything, and research before mixing anything you don’t know about.
