Against hair in the drain, against dust and dirt rage chemical weapons in most homes. After all, housewives only want to fulfill their duties – but the environment swallows hundreds of thousands of tons of cleaning agents every year for this. Health authorities say: The apartment is not a small operating theater, disinfectants are superfluous. Environmentalists advise people to clean out their homes: get rid of pipe and drain cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners and air fresheners, oven and grill cleaners – they’re bad for your health. Back to nature: acid, soap and stone – that’s all cleanliness needs.
Always use cleaning products sparingly
More environmentally friendly substances have long been available, but most cleaning maniacs proceed according to the principle: double dose cleans better. But natural cleaning agents are also harsh. Soap corrodes with lyes, vinegar cleaner irritates the respiratory tract with acids. Even for the eco-helpers, the following applies: they should be used in small doses. Rather scrub a little more vigorously and a little longer – this is good for the environment and the wallet besides.
All-purpose cleaner
They contain soaps or surfactants – washing-active substances, e.g. from coconut oil and starch and are usually well degradable. Additional helpers for stubborn cases: Citric, acetic or lactic acid. All-purpose cleaners are also available under the name “neutral cleaner” (skin-friendly because not so alkaline). It removes grease and oil, lime scale from glass and ceramics, from plastic and painted wood, enamel and stone. For hard water, reach for an acidic all-purpose cleaner – or add a dash of vinegar to the cleaning solution.
Soft soap
People have been using the accidental product of grease and ash for four and a half thousand years. Today, it is usually made from vegetable oils and potash. The lyes of the soap are quite sharp – so it is recommended to use it only for insensitive surfaces of raw wood, stone and plastic.
Washing up liquid
The soap solution works not only in the service of dishwashers. It also acts in a gentle way in the cleaning water for windows, mirrors and furniture. The citric acid contained in it binds odor and at the same time prevents lime scale.
Vinegar
It dissolves lime stains, even urine scale in the toilet, and drives bacteria into flight. He is everywhere to have and immediately ready for use: Household vinegar, pure or two shot glasses to five liters of water. The concentrated vinegar essence must be diluted immediately with four times the amount of water.
Citric acid
This alternative to vinegar has a somewhat milder effect. In the trade, you can also find it under the name “organic limescale remover”.
Scouring powder
The quartz powders in it sand away the coarse dirt – therefore only suitable for insensitive surfaces.
Slurry chalk
This finely ground chalk rock or Viennese lime you get in the drugstore. Mix with water or spirit to form a paste, it is considered a scrubbing alternative for sensitive surfaces.
Spiritus
Methylated spirits or ethyl alcohol is easily degradable, but is a fire hazard. Pure, it is an effective stain remover; a splash in cleaning water provides a high shine on windows and tile.
Bile Soap
Concentrated bovine gall plus soap is available commercially under this name. Bile soap removes and bleaches stains. Note: Use only for colorfast upholstery, textiles and carpets.
