If you’re concerned about climate change, resource depletion and recycling, consider these environmentally-friendly tips for cleaning your home.

Reuse instead of throw away

Whenever you consider throwing something away, make it a practice to try and find another use for it. Instead of using paper towels, try rags that can easily be laundered and used again. Instead of throw-away floor cleaning pads, consider using equipment that makes use of steam and pads.

Since steaming tools use water to help with the cleaning process, they tend to be healthier for the environment than many toxic-laced commercial products. Also, weigh whether the use of recycled products may be more environmentally friendly than taking up the resources you would use for laundering.

Make your own brew

Rather than purchasing products with hazardous ingredients, try making natural cleaning solutions.

• Use a lemon juice and water mix to clean glass and mirrors. An old tee shirt torn to make rags can work well to clean those messy glass table tops without leaving streaks.
• Mix lemon juice and olive oil to make a great smelling furniture polish.
• Make a paste of salt, vinegar and flour to polish metal surfaces.
• Throwing a handful of salt into a wood burning fireplace can help loosen up the soot buildup.
• Use vinegar and water on bare floors to leave them fresh.
• Use vinegar and baking soda to clean out clogged pipes and drains, or to deodorize your kitchen sink.
• Use lemon juice and hot water to remove foul smells from your garbage disposal.

If you prefer not to do the cleaning work yourself, there are many professional house cleaning services that use green cleaning products. Sign in to Angie’s List to find a highly rated Tampa house cleaner that uses environmentally-friendly cleaning products.