Cleaning at home involves a lot of environmental pollution. That can be done differently, according to the Groene Poetsboek published on Tuesday. Cleaning the toilet or fighting silverfish is best done without poison and contamination.
Greenwashing. That term evokes anger, because it summarizes how companies constantly mislead consumers by falsely profiling themselves as sustainable. But take it very literally, that greenwashing: cleaning, with soapy water and agents, without the environment and climate suffering as a result. In that case, not anger, but joy is in order.
Because there are a lot of possibilities when it comes to the literal variant of green cleaning. The Green Cleaning Book by author Diet Groothuis, which will be released this Tuesday, takes them through in an entertaining and informative way.
Her book gives citizens courage, because it states in a concrete way what we can do ourselves at home to help the environment. Very welcome, now that studies on climate and nature are of great concern. Only actions ‘at all levels’ can change that.
The cleaning cabinet, often under the sink, is one such level. To begin with, get a good sweep of that, argues Groothuis, who was in favor earlier Fidelity wrote about cleaning and tidying up. Many bottles and jars with cleaning products, often full of harmful and chemical agents, are unnecessary. With ‘the holy trinity’, as Groothuis calls it, you come a long way when cleaning at home. Green soap, soda and vinegar is that sustainable trio of success.
Green soap can be called green
Green soap is actually rather yellow-brown, Groothuis notes. But the substance, liquid or widely available as a soluble ‘blurrie’, is so environmentally friendly that it can best be called green. It contains no harmful chemicals. All kinds of surfaces and interior parts in the house can be cleaned with it.
You have to be careful with stones and flagstones, because they can cause stains. In any case, Groothuis includes a comprehensible leaflet in her advice book: all tips require careful application, with the correct dosage, tactful action and an eye for the various materials in the house.
Soda can be used as an all-purpose cleaner. The water-soluble stuff disinfects, so it is perfectly usable for the toilet (including flush button and door handle). But much more is possible with it. Groothuis outlines a range of options, including cleaning frying pans and dirty flower vases. Dirty odors can also be tackled, such as in upholstery.
Remove smoke smell from the curtains
Finally, cleaning vinegar, the last of the top three. It is not a natural product, notes Groothuis, cleaning vinegar is a chemical product. But quite harmless, and can be used for all kinds of cleaning jobs. A selection of everything that the cleaning book reviews: you can remove smoke smell from curtains with cleaning vinegar or descale the shower head.
In addition to choosing cleaning agents, sustainable cleaning is also a matter of using sponges, rags and wipes sparingly. Do not use too much of it, is one of the most important advice. If you buy good stuff, you can use it for a long time. Especially if the user handles it properly. For example, a chamois stays good for a long time if it is rinsed with lukewarm water.
Speaking of water: a world can also be won with this, for those who want to freshen up their home in a sustainable way. Don’t waste water. Pre-rinsing dirty dishes (warm) before plates and glasses go into the dishwasher is often not necessary. And often it is not necessary to pour the hot water into a bucket or basin.
It is often better without hot water
It may be counterintuitive, but Groothuis notes that cleaning without hot water often works better. Cleaning is often fine with lukewarm or cold water, is the advice. Just outside the house there is also profit to be made when cleaning, for those who sponge the car. Having a car cleaned in a car wash is less harmful to the environment, partly because it filters waste water. On the street, the soapy water flows straight into the sewer.
Combating dirt such as vermin, from mice to mites, is also discussed. That can often be done more sustainably than usual, according to Groothuis. As a rule of thumb applies; killing bugs and creepers is usually unnecessary. Extinguish the source they thrive on. Or lure them and remove them. In the case of ant nuisance, it is advisable to disrupt their track, for example with cloves or nutmeg.
Silverfish can be tackled by luring them with something they love: moisture. A moist potato can work wonders as a silverfish magnet. Then dispose of it, says the cleaning book, that smothers the problem. As with all problems, also in the world of scrubbing: prevention is better than cure. Proper ventilation can already prevent a lot of disasters, such as mold growth. Even in times of energy crisis, it is never advisable to keep a portion of fresh air outside the door.
The Green Cleaning Book
Author: Diet Groothuis
Publisher Atlas Contact
128 pages
Price: approximately 17.50 euros.
Read also:
The wonder stuff called soda
‘If someone knows little about cleaning but wants some basic tips, then I shout first of all: soda‘!, wrote Diet Groothuis in 2014.