What is Green Cleaning? It can take on several forms. We can follow advertising and think it is buying and using the "new" concoctions of cleaners that have "special" essential oils and stuff. OR we can find a way to make how we clean and what we use have the least impact on our environment.

Without knowing it, I have been cleaning in a green way most of my life, usually because of limited finances. It was always less expensive to use detergents, soaps and the inexpensive extras that we had on hand, than it was to purchase a "cleaner" for each different purpose. We tried that route when finances loosened up a bit. Only to find out that those marketed cleaners were just recombinations of the same cleaning ingredients (or worse) that we had been using when we couldn't afford the ready-made stuff.  Only now we also had additional plastic bottles that had to be 'disposed of properly'.

Just an FYI, I DESPISE cleaning. Not that I know of anyone who likes it, but I REALLY HATE it. So I do want stuff that works, helps me get things done quickly, doesn't cost much and doesn't impact the environment. I also have a spouse and two children with allergies, one of which also has asthma. All of this has to be taken into consideration.

So let's take a look at economical and earth-friendly ways to dusting.

When Swiffers came on the market, I was ecstatic. Something that will grab the dust, hold it, and remove it from my home. I used them for a couple of years. To my surprise I mistakenly thought they were biodegradable. For some reason, I thought they were made using a wood pulp product (cellulose, paper). They are not biodegradable. These disposable dusters and other cleaning wipes are made of polymers, which are petroleum based. My heart sank.

What to do? I have already given up on furniture sprays, polishes and chemical dust grabbers. Feather dusters were not an option. They just spread the dust around and I'd have to do it again in an hour or so. Now what?

ELECTROSTATIC Dusters

These are dusting wands. Before dusting you spin them between your hands to create a static charge between the polymer fibers. Yes, another petroleum product, but it is not made to be disposed. (Read more about my thoughts on “smart chemistry” in my Blogetorial-1). This static charge will attract dust and hold it while the charge exists. When you are finished with a room, you can quick vacuum with a vacuum attachment or go outside, shake it out and reset the static charge for your next room.  After dusting a room, I like to immediately vacuum to get some of the dust that may have escaped. These dusters are great for all surfaces, fans, blinds, and those horrid cobwebs. They are excellent for dusting those little knickknacks and collectables because of the duster's flexibility and lightness. If you have uncovered paintings or unprotected photos I will suggest a duster made of wool instead. There is less chance of scratches to these more delicate surfaces. However, woolen dusters are much more expensive.

The Electrostatic dusters come in a variety of prices. They can be found online as well as your local grocery or big box store. Personally, I have found no correlation between their cost and their effectiveness. (The only reason I wound up buying another is because the kids took the original outside and left it out there. It does not like sun.) Most cost differences are in the design and purpose of each tool. A ceiling or fan duster will definitely be more expensive than a hand-duster.

The Electrostatic duster can't be beat for cobweb catching or knickknack dusting.

MICRO-FIBER Dusters

Now here is another tool that I find more suitable for my allergy-laden family. For the cost of 1 box of Swiffers or its likenesses you can get 2-4 micro-fiber dusting cloths. The fiber design of these micro-fiber cloths allow them to hold onto dust particles tightly and don't leave lint behind . Yes, they too are made of polymers. However, these cloths are not created to be destroyed. I have had mine for a year now and no show of wear. They are easily washed with warm water but are NOT to be washed with towels. By all means don't use fabric softener. Best of all, you DON'T have to wash them after every use either, just shake it out. Properly taken care of they will last for quite some time. Most are rated to last between 200 and 500 washes.

Micro-fiber cleaning cloths can be found for many cleaning purposes. You can also find micro-fiber dusting wands, floor dusters, and mops. They are readily found in most stores as well as online.

These cloths are a minor upfront investment. I have found the return on investment comes very quickly and is a much more earth friendly option than anything else available. Limiting hazardous chemicals, dust and allergens in my home has become very affordable.

That takes care of one area of "Green Cleaning".  There are so many options out there so stay tuned for the next installment.  If you have any input or suggestions we would love to read them. Please share with us by leaving a comment or a question.

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