There are a lot of harmful substances in the world that we are exposed to on a daily basis. From air pollution to cleaning products in your home, to germs on everyday surfaces like kitchen counters. Keeping a clean home can become overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are a couple of tricks that can help you keep your home clean and are easy on the environment, too.
Cleaner cleaners
An easy first step to creating a more eco-friendly home that is safe for your family and pets is cutting down or eliminating all household cleaning chemicals. Most of these chemicals are extremely dangerous and can be toxic to animals, children, especially if mixed together. Cutting back on the use of products like bleach is beneficial to you, your family, and the earth.
Most homes don’t need heavy-duty cleaners and don’t typically have large amounts of bacteria, like a restaurant or hotel. You can replace harsh cleaners with plant-based cleaners sold in most retail and grocery stores. These usually have a nice fresh scent and are typically much safer for children and pets. There are also some items you may have around your house already that can be used as cleaners as well. Peppermint or tea tree oil both have antiseptic and antiviral properties and can be used to clean or even deodorize your home. Vinegar has become a well-known substitute for chemical cleaners in the home. It can be used to clean bacteria, remove stains, and eliminate odors. We at Pfister even suggest cleaning your Pfister faucets with a 50/50 solution of water and vinegar. The vinegar solution will lift off water spots without using harsh chemicals and abrasives often found in bathroom cleaners, effectively maintaining a scratch-free finish. In a pinch, even vodka can be used as a household cleaner to get rid of mildew in the bath, disinfect linens, remove stick labels, or even clean glass. There are many possibilities.
Air Purifiers
If you have seasonal allergies or are sensitive to smells or pet dander you may want to look into purchasing a home air purifier. Air purifiers are available in a variety of sizes. They range from small desktop sizes, perfect for a kid’s room or a small office, to larger sizes that can purify the air in a living room or kitchen. Air purifiers have a wide range of benefits and features depending on the type and modelThey generally pull air in, circulate the air through its filter system, and remove pollutants and particles before venting clean air back out into your home. For portable home air filters, you will want to get one that has a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter. The HEPA standards are regulated by the U.S. Department of Energy, so there is a strict guideline to what can be considered a HEPA filter, and what cannot. HEPA filters are very effective at removing pet dander, pollen, and dust mites out of your air. If you have a large home filtration system you need to be sure you clean or replace your home filter every 6 months. Otherwise, dust and airborne contaminants could be spread back into your home.
Washing Hands
Lastly one of the simplest, but possibly the most effective thing you can do to keep your home and your family healthy and clean is to wash your hands regularly. It seems like it goes without saying, but there are many household surfaces we touch everyday without thinking about how often we are washing our hands. Even the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) says that handwashing is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from getting sick. Handwashing is important because it helps reduce the spread of diseases and helps prevent infections. People frequently touch their eyes, mouth, and nose without realizing it. Washing with soap and water helps to eliminate dirt, oils, or other microorganisms.
Pfister’s React technology is a great feature to help keep your kitchen, and your people, clean. Think about it, you’re making dinnerand have been handling raw meat. You don’t want to touch the handle of your faucet, because now all the bacteria from your hands will be transferred to the handle of your faucet. Unless you clean it right away, the next person to touch the handle will also be exposed to those germs. With React you simply wave your hand in front of the sensor, the water will turn on, and you won’t have to worry about touching the handle with gross hands. Wave again and the faucet will turn off.
React Touch Free Technology is available in both our Stellen and Raya kitchen faucets.
How do you keep your home clean? Leave a comment if you have any tips or tricks you would like to share with us.
