So a majority of the holiday parties have already been had. And let me tell you, the only thing worse than a hangover is the aftermath of the party that rests all over the house. This isn’t some 10-second clean up either… this is something cut out for my mother, and then some.
To help you out, I will be educating you on the alternatives to sustainable cleaning!! It’s easier than it sounds and a lot cheaper than you think. Why would you want to be using chemical cleaners and releasing toxins into their air when you can use a much more eco-friendly option? Chances are, you probably have all the ingredients hidden somewhere in your pantry (if not, your neighbours are sure to have it!). I know you are all SO EAGER to begin cleaning, so let’s go through this quickly…
Red Wine Carpet Stain
Nothing is more heartbreaking than watching a play-by-play of red wine spewing out of a tipped glass into the carpet. Well for all of you unfortunate souls with white carpets, there is hope! Before you reach for the commercial cleaner or hire a professional, look for more sustainable options. As stated by Natural News:
Commercial carpet shampoos often contain highly toxic substances like perchlorethylene and ammonium hydroxide. The former is a known carcinogen which can damage the liver, kidneys, and nervous system while the latter is a corrosive which can irritate eyes, skin, and respiratory passages.
No need to contaminate your home with harmful chemicals when you have alternatives at your reach. If there is one thing my mother taught me (that stuck), it’s that club soda is your best friend. The moment wine spills into the carpet, crack open a can of club soda and begin gently soaking the stain. BE SURE NOT TO RUB THE STAIN!! Just dab it until the stain is gone… it’s like magic! Don’t have club soda? No fear, salt is here! First dab the area with a dry cloth to make sure you soak up as much of the liquid as possible, then begin salting it. The salt will soak up the alcohol, which can then be vacuumed away once dry. Per chance you don’t have salt, baking soda will also do the trick.
Now lastly, if you are absolutely desperate and can spare some white wine (which I know many of you won’t want to), white wine cancels out the red wine believe it or not. Just pour a bit of white wine onto the stained area and begin dabbing. I know it’s not the most desirable solution, but the option is there.
Congrats! You are now the wizard of wine stains! On to the next mess..
Dried Food Stain
We have all been there; you host a party and bring out chips and dip only to come back to drippings of dips all over the table at the end of the night. Scrubbing the dried out salsa off the table or counter in the morning can take some serious elbow grease. Many people wouldn’t think twice about scrubbing the table with a commercial soapy spray, but little do they know the harmful chemicals that can be left behind; and you thought your table would be clean after? There needs to be special attention paid to the kitchen countertop especially because that tends to be where people prepare food. Typical kitchen cleaners contain chemicals such as 2-Butoxyethanol. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), at high levels glycol ethers (the chemical group 2-Butoxyethanol belongs to) can also contribute to narcosis, pulmonary edema, and severe liver and kidney damage. Although the EPA sets a standard on 2-Butoxyethanol for workplace safety, there have been warnings that if you’re cleaning at home in a confined area, like a bathroom or small kitchen, you can actually end up getting 2-butoxyethanol in the air at levels that are higher than workplace safety standards.
An easy way to clean these clumps of mess is to mix vinegar and baking soda together until it makes a paste. Use this paste to create a layer overtop of any tough mess and let it sit for a few minutes. After, grab a damp cloth and begin wiping it up! It comes off easy-peasy. The best part is that it won’t damage wood tables or any granite counters. I have used this myself numerous times and it works like a charm, especially cleaning stubborn stainless steel.
Lurking Alcohol Smell
I would say the worst part of a holiday party is the lurking smell of beer and vodka the next morning. And that smell does not go away too easily. Once bottles are recycled and spilled beer is cleaned up, the lingering smell may diminish a bit. If you’re lucky, it will go away all together. If you are one of the unlucky ones, I have some eco-friendly tips of masking the smell of last night’s party. If you think you can just pull out a commercial air freshener to fix the job, think again. Commercial air fresheners can contain toxic chemicals called phthalates; specifically DEP and DBP. According to an investigation done by CBC News:
These two chemicals, which are linked to fertility and developmental problems in animal research, have been banned in 12 European countries from children’s toys, yet were found in nearly a third of air fresheners.
The problem is that there is no law to say that air fresheners need to have ingredient labels, therefore it is difficult to know which contain phthalates and which don’t. So why would you want to risk exposing people to harmful chemicals when it can be completely avoided? A natural sustainable alternative is simple; boiling a pot of water and adding in aromatic ingredients (such as cinnamon or orange peels) will help mask the smell of anything from stale beer to leftover food.
So now that the year is coming to an end and New Years is almost here, stock up on baking soda, vinegar, club soda, and cinnamon to start off the new year more eco-friendly and to make the January 1st Clean-Up a little bit less of a headache. Advil will help as well…maybe two.
Happy New Years!!!
References:
Removing red wine stains from carpet. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.redwinestainremovers.com/removing-red-wine-stains-from-carpet
La Jolla. (2009, July 16). Clean wood cabinetry and furniture stains with baking soda. Retrieved from http://lajollamom.com/2009/07/baking-soda/
Maker, M. (2013). Diy natural home deodorizers & air fresheners!. Retrieved from http://cleanmyspace.com/diy-natural-home-deodorizers-air-fresheners/
Dangerous chemicals showing up in some air fresheners. (2008, Sept 09). Retrieved from http://www.cbc.ca/news/dangerous-chemicals-showing-up-in-some-air-fresheners-1.772887
Keegan, S. (2013, Sept 11). Toxins in our homes: carpeting, carpet cleaners and vacuums . Retrieved from http://www.naturalnews.com/042006_home_chemicals_allergens_indoor_air_quality.html
Sholl, J. (n.d.). 8 hidden toxins: What’s lurking in your cleaning products?. Retrieved from http://experiencelife.com/article/8-hidden-toxins-whats-lurking-in-your-cleaning-products/
Living Sustainably 