A big part of your home staging plans should be house cleaning and maintenance. Whether you are doing the house cleaning yourself, or getting the services of professional cleaners, the house will have to be kept in a very clean and orderly state for the duration of the staging effort in order to always look presentable to potential buyers. Cleaning doesn’t end when the floors are spotless, the windows are immaculate, and the furniture items are dust-free. This state of cleanliness needs to be maintained until the home is vacated.
Using green or eco-friendly homemade cleaning solutions and ingredients is becoming popular among homeowners, and this is something you should also consider as part of your home staging plans (if you haven’t made the switch to green cleaning products and ingredients yet. There are many benefits to making the switch to green cleaning solutions, the most significant of which is the savings. Unlike most commercially-produced cleaning products, the greener alternatives can be sourced from everyday household items you might already have, such as vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, etc.
Another benefit to making the switch to green cleaning products is health-based. Many of today’s commercial household cleaners have chemicals and toxins that, over time, can have detrimental effects on people’s health. Many of the additives and chemicals are also allergens or cause indoor air pollution, and there is the possibility of a home visitor having an allergic reaction or discomfort when in contact with those chemicals. To be on the safe side, natural and organic homemade cleaning solutions and products are the better option.
What are some green cleaning products you can use?
- Homemade disinfectant – You can concoct your own homemade disinfectant using 2 cups of water, 3 tablespoons of liquid soap, and between 20-30 drops of tea tree oil. You can use this solution to disinfect tables, countertops, desks, staircases, doorknobs, and other surfaces. This is a great alternative to bleach (which, if you haven’t noticed, isn’t the best smelling cleaning solution out there).
- Baking soda and water – This solution works great on grime and stains that stick on tiles, porcelain, and other floor types. You can also use baking soda and water to clean kitchen countertops and sinks, cutting boards, refrigerators, and oven tops.
- Vinegar or lemon juice – Grease streaks, stains, mildew, and other common household stains do not stand a chance against vinegar or lemon juice, which you can spray or douse on the affected area and then scrub or brush after a few minutes. Vinegar and lemon juice are also excellent window cleaners.
