World Wisdom: Top Ten Tips

As part of a promotion with TwitterMoms and Myrs. Meyers, I'm sharing my best ten tips for a cleaner, greener home. These are the areas that I really focus on because I think they'll have the biggest impact. They're also the easiest and cheapest tips I know.

1 - Reduce the amount of chemicals brought into your house in general. The fewer chemicals that get brought in, the fewer worries you'll have about whether or not they're safe. (Several of the other tips are more specific ways to accomplish this.)
2 - Institute a "no shoes" policy. Bringing dust and dirt and chemicals from outside on shoes is an easy way that indoor air pollution is elevated. If you and your guests take shoes off at the door, not only is it less pollution tracked in, but it's easier to clean.
3 - Go back to basics with cleaners. You don't need to get a lot of different products. Mixing chemicals can produce dangerous fumes, and unless you know all of the ingredients and possible interactions with all of your cleaning supplies, it's safer to stick with the fewest number of products.
4 - Also on the cleaning note, try some make-your-own cleaners with common kitchen ingredients, like vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice. You might need to use a little extra elbow grease to clean the stove, but it's much better than the odors and fumes given off by a traditional oven cleaner, for example.
5 - Use the power of the internet. If you have a particularly tough stain, search for a natural solution. You'll be able to easily find recipes for cleaning brass, silver, wax stains, and much more.
6 - Instead of using chemical-based air fresheners, try natural options. Boiling lemon peels will give the kitchen a lemon scent. You can also use baking soda to absorb odors.
7 - Use the power of the sun. If you have a stain, try laying it in the sun after watching to bleach it out. People who line-dry cloth diapers (including myself) know this works!
8 - Be sure your furnace/air conditioner filter is changed and cleaned when needed. This will help maintain indoor air quality. Same with your vacuum cleaner filter.
9 - If you live in an older home, have it tested for lead, especially if you notice peeling paint or finish. You may also want to consider testing your basement for radon. And, of course, install a CO detector.
10 - Make it a family affair! Have your kids try to find cleaning recipes, and figure out the cost savings. It's a great way to improve their math skills, and you can also give them an incentive by giving them part of the money saved.

There are lots of companies that also make greener cleaners, if you don't want to try to make your own. Here's a little background on one of the sponsors of this promotion:

Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day makes household products for people looking for a better way to clean. Our natural, plant-derived essential oils are powerful against daily dirt and grime, but leave your home smelling like a garden, not harsh chemicals. Our refreshing scents include cool and crisp Basil, soothing Lavender, invigorating Lemon Verbena and uplifting Geranium. We also make a line of Baby Blossom personal care products specifically formulated and dermatologist-tested for little ones.
All of our cleaning supplies are earth friendly -- biodegradable, phosphate-free, and not tested on animals. Cleaning is something we all have to do. So why not make it just a little more enjoyable?

You can find out more at their Facebook page.

“I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Mrs. Meyer’s blogging program, making me eligible to get a $30 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”