Cleaning my home is like exercising-I don't expect to do this, but I like how it feels when I'm done. So, I want quick-acting and effective cleaning products so that I can sit down and enjoy my spotless home.

However, many common household cleaners contain chemicals that pollute the air and waterways. Not to mention the waste caused by throwing away the plastic containers that are usually used to pack them. Why use something harmful to the air I breathe to clean my home and transport it to a landfill?

I found that these five sustainable cleaning products are a win-win! They cleaned my home while also keeping the earth clean.

For my kitchen and bathroom countertops, there is nothing better than Puracy's multi-surface cleaner. It can be safely used in quartz, laminate, granite, chrome, and even stainless steel. With one product, you can clean almost the entire Camden apartment.

Photo courtesy of Camden: Kitchen at Camden Sedgebrook Apartment

Buying a 25 oz spray bottle and 16 oz concentrate, you don’t need to worry about having any inventory to store. Sorry, family editor, I would rather have space for more shoes in my cupboard and closet. Just quickly replenish the concentrate and water, and you can prepare a complete bottle for the next cleaning day.

Photo courtesy of Casey Hernandez

Puracy is a small family business in Austin, Texas, whose mission is to produce plant-based products that are safe for children and pets. They are developing rapidly, and their products can be found on their own website, Amazon and Target.

I like all Supernatural products, but my favorite is probably their stainless steel cleaner. Quickly spray and swipe, my refrigerator and dishwasher are spotless, and the kitchen smells great! It also applies to the stainless steel parts of my gas cooker.

Photo courtesy of Camden: Kitchen in Camden Lansdowne Apartment

Like all the products on this list, Supernatural is focused on protecting the environment-even in the way they ship their products. But what I like the most is that they deliberately create a sensory experience, so cleaning is more enjoyable. When describing their product, they said,

"The properties of aromatherapy can replenish your energy and rejuvenate your senses, making your mind, body and spirit feel as powerful as stainless steel at home."

I tell you, this is true! One of the many 5-star reviews for this product referred to it as "Decadence in a Bottle." Buy their cleaning starter kit online, and when it arrives, you will feel like you are opening a gift for yourself. Packaging and messaging are done very well. Like Puracy, the starter kit includes their signature spray bottle, so you only need to purchase a concentrate refill later. Less packaging = better for the environment.

Now I know that supernatural is a bit expensive, but I do have an opposite suggestion-Bon Ami. This 100-year-old cleaner is my favorite bathtub and non-stainless steel sink.

It is a mild physical abrasive product and does not contain harsh chemicals. Therefore, just sprinkle Bon Ami powder quickly and gently scrub with a wet sponge, all dirt will be washed away. I don’t even have to spend time wearing gloves, just like wearing rougher, chemical-filled products.

If you live in one of the many Camden apartments with glass cooktops, Bon Ami can also remove those nasty burn marks and stains, not just wipe them off with dish soap and sponge. Bonus, the vintage packaging looks cute in your cleaning basket.

Photo courtesy of Casey Hernandez

The main cleaner in your kitchen may be your dishwasher. It usually runs every day, it can complete the arduous work of cleaning dishes, pots and pans, so we don't have to stand in front of the sink and wash our hands for several hours. You can save water and increase energy efficiency by just using the dishwasher! A typical dishwasher uses four gallons of water in one cycle, which is the amount of water you need to wash the dishes by hand in two minutes.

However, dishwashing tablets are usually wrapped in plastic, which will dissolve and contaminate the water supply, which will have a negative impact on the lives of animals and plants. They are also packed in large disposable plastic containers, which generate more waste and pollution. This is why I like Blueland dishwashing tablets. They are very effective, they are not wrapped in plastic and come with refillable permanent cans.

Photo courtesy of Casey Hernandez

The refill packaging is compostable, and the jar takes up almost no space in the cabinet under the sink. If you don't believe me or the more than 880 5-star reviews, Blueland also offers a money-back guarantee to make it risk-free to try.

There is even a sustainable alternative to clothes dryers and fabric softeners, both of which have been shown to emit volatile organic compounds that are harmful to our health and the environment. On the contrary, the use of drying balls can soften the clothes, while reducing the drying time and extending the service life of the clothes. #winwin

Photo courtesy of Camden: Laundry room at Camden Vineyard Apartments

They can also hang out in your dryer, and if you have limited laundry space, you can store less product. When you quickly transfer clothes from the washing machine to the dryer, there is one less thing to remember so that you can continue to watch this new series on Netflix.

Did I mention that clothes dry faster? This also means lower electricity bills!

These five sustainable products keep my home clean and help me do my part to protect the environment. Through this simple Camden blog, check out other useful tips to create a more sustainable and environmentally friendly home, 7 ways to make your green game endless. And take advantage of recycling services provided by most Camden communities across the country.

Camden Property Trust published this content on November 5, 2021, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by the public at 16:47:04, November 5, 2021 UTC, unedited and unaltered.