Green Kitchen Cleaning is Easy

A big job while kitchen cleaning is dealing with the dishes. Although we may hand wash items occasionally, most of us are using dishwasher detergent for cleaning. Thankfully newer models of dishwashers clean with less water, less energy and require less detergent.

But many dishwasher detergents contain phosphates, an additive that has been eliminated from laundry detergent for over 15 years ago. Phosphates boast to improve cleaning power but they stay in our water system. They cause havoc such as over population of blue-green algae and a variety of weeds which can kill fish and other aquatic life.

Fortunately there are green cleaning alternatives that are phosphate-free. Many of these eco friendly products contain enzymes that break down baked on food and will clean your dishes without harming you or our waterways.

Where possible look for green clean alternatives that do not contain phosphates or other harmful additives. The term biodegradable is used freely in the market but it is unregulated. Because chemical based cleaning companies take advantage of this unregulated term, look for these logos that recognize products as “certified biodegradable”.

Another kitchen cleaning tip to ensure your dishwasher performs well, is to scrape excess food off into the garbage. Use a spatula to rub off food instead of running your dishes under water – and then putting them in your dishwasher. You’d be surprised at the amount of water you are using to pre-rinse.

For stubborn sticky food, such as melted cheese or eggs, put a few inches of hot water in the sink and give them a little wipe with a dish brush or cloth. This will also use considerably less water than running the tap (and will save you money in the long run too)!

Of course we all have a few items we prefer to hand-wash. Whether they are sparkling stainless steel pots or grandma’s tea cups, not everything can go through the dishwasher. You’ll want to find a way to get a quick and simple clean for your delicates in the kitchen.

Mild, biodegradable dish soap works well. Wash your glass wear or china in hot water and be gentle. Another bonus for using eco friendly soap is that dishes dry nicely on their own without spots showing up (plus who has time to dry when we have to get the kids to music & soccer every night?).

And those stubborn baked on messes? If soaking them doesn’t take all the little bits off, consider trying a thick paste of baking soda with a little water. Simply scoop up the paste with your dish cloth and rub it over the baked on bits. They should come off giving you that easy green clean you’re looking for.

There are other good products out there to keep your kitchen clean without unnecessary chemicals. For example, Enjo microfiber products work great and are super easy. See Our Enjo cleaning section on the left hand side of this page for more information.

Thanks for reading!

Happy cleaning.