Cleaning

Everyone, everywhere, has to clean. Well, there are some of us who do so sparingly, but most of us like a clean home. Okay, simple enough, but what is the best way to go about it?

First, use chemicals sparingly and make sure you use the right cleaners. Also, use the simplest, safest chemicals that will do the job.

Ammonia. Stay away from ammonia unless you are stripping wax or paint, or grimy ovens. The stuff is hard on your lungs and seldom needed. If you must use it, make sure you have the windows open and fans on, then, when finished, go outside for a few hours. Really, the stuff is nasty. Do not ever, ever, ever, mix it with bleach. I have known folks who did this and, yes, it did clean, and yes, they ended up hospitalized, with bleeding lungs. In essence, they made mustartd gas, something used only in chemical warfare.

Bleach. One thing I want to make clear. Bleach does not clean. It whitens and it sanitizes. It works great to sanitize cutting boards and if you have mildew in your bathroom, it will kill it. Other than that, avoid bleach.

Baking Soda is a fantastic cleaner. A paste made with baking soda and water is a great scouring powder, cheap, safe and effective. Also, it removes foul odors.

Vinegar is a mild acid and will clean up stains quite nicely. Also, if you have clogged drains, try this before you buy harsh drain cleaners; pour baking soda in the drain, add vinegar and immediately plug the drain; it will fizz like crazy and, when it stops, rinse with cold water and your drain should work fine and smell much better.

All purpose cleaners. Most are some sort of solution involving a degreaser. Fine, if in fact, you are cleaning up grease, but, be careful. These chemicals are harsh. Don't use them on wood, they will damage it. Never use them without gloves. They will pull the fats out of your fingers and leave them dry, sore, and if over exposed, bleeding. Don't be fooled by labels saying 'all natural'. Many of those use substances like orange oil or pine oil, they are natural, but just as harsh.

It is true that with simpler, safer chemicals, you may have to scrub a bit harder, well, okay, a lot harder, but think of it this way. A lot of folks pay a lot of money to go to gyms and work out. Working around your house/apartment can give you a great workout for free.