Did you know conventional cleaning products aren’t legally required to list all the chemical ingredients in their products? Swap chemical cleaners with just a few natural ingredients that are gentler on the planet (and that you likely have at home already!)
Less is More
Simple homemade concoctions of distilled white vinegar, baking soda, castile soap, lemon juice, and essential oils can go a long way in cleaning kitchen counters, sinks, tubs and more. Baking soda is an effective scrubber and deodorizer, while distilled white vinegar is a great all-purpose cleaner (but avoid using both together).
For an easy, all-purpose cleaner, try:
- ½ cup distilled white vinegar
- 2 cups water
Optional: Several drops of an essential oil of your choice. Tea tree oil can add additional antibacterial properties.
Try Refillable Options
Less packaging = less waste. Why not repurpose old bottles and containers to refill with cleaning solutions over time? Bring your containers to Certified Green Businesses like the Refill Shoppe that provide refill options for cleaning solutions (and more), or mix your own in shop!
Zero Waste Cleaning Tools
While you’re in Spring cleaning mode, why also not take inventory of the cleaning tools you’re using? Ditch the plastic cleaning tools and sponges that release microplastics and consider ones that won’t stick around in a landfill.
Compostable or biodegradable materials have a circular end-of-life cycle that can be repurposed or given back to our planet, making them a great zero waste option.
Luffa sponges, made from dried luffa plants (a fibrous gourd in the cucumber family), are 100% compostable at the end of life.
Cleaning tools made from other plant-based fibers, like agave, coconut coir, or 100% cellulose sponges, are also compostable or biodegradable at the end of life.
Reusable paper towels or Swedish dish cloths save a lot of single-use paper towels from the landfill.
A bar of lye soap can be used for hand dishwashing and replaces dish soap in plastic bottles.
