Keeping your house clean is already a big chore. Trying to do it while remaining eco-friendly is an even bigger one. Many of the regular household cleaning products that are on the market are filled with chemicals that can be detrimental not only to the people and pets living in your home but also to the environment. So how do you stay clean while staying green?

Don't Overbuy

One of the best ways you can stay environmentally conscious is by not buying more than you need. If you don't need a garage full of cleaning products, don't go out and buy that many. When there are good deals on things, the temptation is to stock up to avoid having to buy them later, but unfortunately, many products do expire before you'd be able to use them. 

If you're stocking up for the month, the last thing you want to be thinking of is "does toothpaste expire," or "does my laundry soap go bad," but this should be a question you have in your mind before you buy. These products do have expiration dates on them, and when people overbuy them to keep them in dry stock, they will often expire and go to waste. This product waste is incredibly damaging to the environment, as it's just releasing chemicals and plastics back into landfills and eventually the oceans. To avoid ever having to deal with this waste, only buy the amount of product that you need. 

Skip the Chemicals

Another way you can clean in an eco-friendly way is by skipping the chemicals. One of the best ways to freshen up your home is to open the blinds and windows to let fresh air in. While this may not get rid of germs on surfaces, this will freshen up the air in your space and make it brighter and more pleasant to be in. By allowing fresh air in, you eliminate the need for things like air fresheners and air deodorizers, which are almost always made up of straight chemicals.

Aside from letting the air in, you can also clean and sanitize your home without the use of chemicals. Using things like lemon juice, baking soda, and vinegar in your cleaning can eliminate the need for harsh chemicals while still getting your surfaces clean. The acid in lemon juice and vinegar neutralizes many germs and prevents them from spreading, while baking soda can scrub stains from almost anything. Even just regular hot water can work wonders on cleaning things, so you won't need to rely on strong-smelling products every time you want to clean. By using natural things to clean your home, you can avoid chemicals and keep your house a little more eco-friendly. 

Avoid Plastics

Finally, try to avoid single-use plastics in your home. These are things that only serve one purpose before they're thrown away, and will end up either in a landfill or the ocean. While these products are incredibly prevalent in today's society, you don't need to rely on them. If you want a more green solution, you can look for products packaged in paper or glass containers that can be recycled or reused time and time again. By getting things that you can either reuse or recycle, you can lower your carbon footprint and make your home more eco-friendly. 

Another great way to avoid plastics is by buying in bulk. If you're a little short on funds and don't necessarily have the extra room in your budget to spend on green products, buying in bulk is a good solution for you. This not only tends to be cheaper but also doesn't take as much packaging. While bulk products may be packaged in plastics, buying less of them still has the bottom line of not as much trash in the oceans. For families that are trying to go green while also saving some green, buying in bulk is the perfect solution for you. 

Overall, you don't need to compromise cleanliness for environmental consciousness. You can remain eco-friendly while keeping your home up to your standards of cleanliness.