- cleaning mailbox 2. image by mdb from Fotolia.com
No matter what you're cleaning, it is important that the runoff or residue is safe for people, pets, and the planet. According to Planet Green, there are 17,000 petrochemicals available for household usage (70 percent of which have not been tested for human or environmental impact) and according to Northwest Green Clean, household petrochemical cleaners are absorbed easily into the skin and deposited in fatty tissues. Truly green products are natural, nontoxic and biodegradable. There are three green ways to clean concrete; water pressure, household alternatives or green cleaning agents. - Cleaning with a pressure washer yields impressive results, even for tougher stains on concrete. They can be rented from many major hardware stores and are easier to operate than some toy water guns.
Make sure the pressure washer is electric rather than fuel-powered to further green your cleaning. An alternative to mechanical pressure washers is a hose and handheld sponge. Those should do fine for most cleaning jobs.
If water pressure alone is not strong enough, there are many household alternatives for stain removal or green cleaning agents specifically for use with pressure washers or on concrete. Always be sure to review the ingredients of a cleaning product prior to purchase, regardless of the green advertising. - Vinegar and lemon juice (citric acid) both work well as a rust-remover and a degreaser. Pour the vinegar or lemon juice on the stained area and let it soak for five to ten minutes before scrubbing or pressure washing. Repeat the process for tougher stains.
Baking soda is also a degreaser and commonly used for stain removal. For an all-purpose cleaner, mix four teaspoons of baking soda per cup of water, lemon juice or vinegar, or any combination of the three. For oil stains, pour baking soda or cat litter over the stain to remove excess oils prior to cleaning.
Tea Tree Oil is a natural antifungal that works well for removing mold or mildew from surfaces. Add one teaspoon of the oil per cup of water, spray on the fungus and do not rinse. Repeat twice daily until the mold or mildew is gone. - For indoor concrete, pure vinegar is not exactly a scent of choice for most people. Many companies have created green cleaners that not only smell better, but are equally biodegradable and nontoxic. However, many of the products are concentrated solutions and should be diluted with water.
Dilute the solution less for tougher stains. Rather than purchasing a specific concrete cleaning agent, consider first using green dish soap or all-purpose cleaners that might be strong enough to clean a surface without employing stronger solutions of chemicals.
Some products are advertised as green, but meet only the lowest standards of environmentalism. An easy way to better understand the green level of a product is by looking for the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) hazard identification diamond on the label.
The diamond has blue, red and yellow sections denoting health, flammability and reactivity with other chemicals. Inside each section will be a number that corresponds to the level of hazard; the lower the hazard level, the lower the number. Products with all zeros are the safest. Specific harmful chemicals you will want to avoid are chlorine, triclosan, benzene or other petroleum-based chemicals and nonylphenol or alkylphenol ethoxylates.
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