It sounds crazy: but when it comes to cleaning, less is often more. This is at least true when it comes to purchasing and using cleaning products. Best example if you want to clean windows or mirrors. Too much cleaning agent in the water quickly leads to streaks and streaks on the glass, explains the NRW consumer advice center. Water, a drop of detergent, a squeegee and a lint-free, dry cloth are usually enough for polishing.

In general, investing a little time and effort is usually smarter than using large amounts of caustic cleaning products. Nabu advises leaving the product to work for longer and then scrubbing vigorously.

Which cleaning products are useful?

Basically, you only need a few effective cleaning products. Instead of expensive special cleaners, inexpensive alternatives often work, according to consumer advocates. The only important thing is that consumers use the funds specifically and for the right purpose:

• All-purpose cleaner: It dissolves dirt and grease, for example on smooth floors, and mixed with water can hygienically clean light switches, door handles, cupboard doors and handrails. It can also be used to clean the refrigerator and pantry shelves – ideally every one to two months.
• Hand dishwashing liquid: It cleans pots, dishes and surfaces in the kitchen. Thanks to its grease-dissolving effect, it can often even replace all-purpose cleaners.
• Vinegar cleaner or citric acid: They remove limescale deposits in the kitchen and bathroom as well as stubborn urine scale in the toilet. Be careful with acid-sensitive materials such as marble or natural stone – the products are not suitable for this.
• Baking soda: From the perspective of consumer advocates, this harmless home remedy helps, among other things, against unpleasant smells. You can simply place a bowl with the white powder in your shoe cupboard or kitchen cupboard.

By the way: If you are dealing with stubborn dirt on insensitive, scratch-resistant materials, cleaning stones or Viennese lime are suitable. You can also use it to polish stainless steel.

Tip: When buying cleaning products, pay attention to seals, such as the “Blue Angel” or the European environmental label “EU Ecolabel,” writes NABU. The “Ecocert” label stands for bio-based cleaning products.

Which cleaning products should you avoid?

You can do without many products – especially if you want to pay attention to health and the environment. Germ killers are not recommended. Disinfectants, special cleaners or products with bleaching agents such as chlorine are generally unnecessary – they “do not bring any hygienic added value,” according to the NRW consumer advice center.

According to NABU, toilet and pipe cleaners as well as oven sprays are also corrosive and very harmful to the environment. Therefore, it is better not to use them. You should also avoid scented stones for the toilet. According to NABU, these have no cleaning effect, but chemicals end up in the drain every time you flush them. When it comes to cleaners, you should also make sure that they do not contain “limonene” or other fragrances that can harm the water.

Consumer advice center advises: use disinfectants only sparingly

Even if it smells bad, the North Rhine-Westphalia consumer advice center also advises against using cleaning sprays and room fragrances. Cleaning sprays can irritate the respiratory tract, especially if they are sprayed onto large surfaces. And room fragrances and sprays pollute the air in the home with chemicals. They could cause coughing, difficulty breathing, headaches or watery eyes in people with allergies and asthma. Instead, it’s better to eliminate the source of the smell and ventilate it thoroughly.

By the way: disinfectants should due to health risks and environmental pollution in private households are only used if they are recommended by a doctor, for example for diseases such as gastrointestinal.