Honestly, I think we all are a little tired of listening to this ‘go-green’ bit. Literally how far green can we actually go? We’ve got the jute shopping bags, we turn the taps off while brushing our teeth and we avoid plastic as much as is reasonably possible, so now there really is no more scope of going any more green than things already are, isn’t it?

Quite honestly, it isn’t? At least not at the rate at which carbon footprints are well, leaving their footprint all over our planet earth. And here we’re not even mentioning those big plumes of toxic smoke from factories but the sneaky little household products (containing tongue twisting chemical names) that seem to be polluting the very air we live and breathe in. It’s thought that even the detergent we chuck into the washing machine thinking of things coming squeaky clean- not quite green buddy. These suds are known to pollute the rivers and cause unspeakable harms to the environment.

Now again, it’s not just these two things but rather a lengthy list that’s quite exhaustive and frankly never ending!

Going-Greener

That said, even if we put ourselves in the category of somewhat sedentary ‘conscious environmentalists’, there are still quite a few remaining green initiatives that may have slipped under our radar. So while the shopping bags and water conservation is one part of the deal there still is some scope left for going-greener. In fact one of the most ignored places where there is most potential is the ‘home’. Yes, we often reach for that spray bottle to wipe that annoying stain from the glass pane, but did we ever think it to be a pollutant- Nah!

Below, we take a look at some ‘beyond the obvious’ things we can and should do- first, for our dear Mother Earth and second, our conscience as well.

Come Clean

Kids have a way with leaving fingerprints all over TV surfaces, window panes and refrigerators. So what do we do? We reach out and spray the good stuff on and poof! It’s all wiped clean. End of story, isn’t it?
Not quite, you see a lot of chemical based cleaners causing indoor air pollution and are responsible for headaches, watery eyes and in some cases even severe cases of toxicity. Without getting into the dirtier side of this story, let it suffice to say that homemade natural cleaners are safe, cost effective, non-toxic, and quite easy to make. So look up the net and try out a few concoctions (in a reusable spray bottle please) and let it shine- naturally.

Raising a stink? Rethink!

Sure there are times when we make exotic recipes that turn out as per plan and yes there are times when the maid has gone for her monthly vacation and the bathroom smells, well, not so nice. So what do we do, but of course we head (not for the soap and bucket) but the aerosol laden air freshener. Ahhh the sweet fragrance of flowers and lime!

Sadly, that’s not what mommy earth would like us to do though. For you see, the chemical based air fresheners usually contain harmful chemicals that may cause some serious respiratory illnesses and auto-immune disorders. Not to mention the aerosol and the empty can that you will naturally trash. All put together, this is one stink that goes beyond the four walls of the house.

Fear not though, champions of green living have expounded time and again the alternatives that are natural and healthier as compared to the chemical based ones. Think household plants and regular floor/ surface swipes with white vinegar or baking soda.

Ideally, it also makes sense to first find out the source of the stink. Is it a clogged drain or a spoilt food product (or a naughty pet) that the cause of all smell. Do note that bacteria are root cause of the problem, which is why when you find the bacteria laden stinker you’ve solved half of your problem.

Wet towels that are lovingly bundled up on the bed or the kitchen dish rag that’s been lying around on the kitchen platform- they all need to go dry themselves under the sun.

Tip: Placing a bowl of dry, homemade potpourri flowers makes a lovely home-decor item as well as an eco-friendly opportunity to freshen up your living space. A few drops of fragrant aromatic oils from time to time and viola- its time to wake up and smell the flowers!