7 Simple Ways to Go Green with Your Cleaning Routine
Looking for ways to make your cleaning routine more eco-friendly? These tips will help you use safer ingredients, save money andย reduce household waste.
Green cleaning is gaining popularity, and eco-friendly products are filling store shelves. These products are better for the environment as they contain fewer chemicals and fragrances, making them safer for children, pets, and anyone with sensitive skin or allergies.
Swapping single-use products and disposable packaging for reusable alternatives can significantly cut household waste and expenses.
Simple Ways to Go Green
Mahatma Gandhi said, ‘Cleanliness is not next to godliness, it is godliness.’ Start by incorporating one or two of these sustainable swaps into your routine. As you adopt more eco-friendly habits, you’ll notice improvements in household waste, indoor air quality, and overall home health.
Here are some simple strategies to get you started on your green cleaning.
Swap Plastic Bottles for Glass
Break the cycle of buying plastic bottles by choosing cleaners packaged in reusable containers. Many cleaning products now come in glass spray bottles, often with a silicone cover to prevent slips or tumbles.
This switch reduces plastic usage and your home’s carbon footprint while costing less over time. Since you only need to purchase the glass container, subsequent refills are typically cheaper.
Opt for Reusable Cleaning Clothes
Instead of throwing out single-use cleaning wipes, opt for reusable cloth rags. Microfiber cloths are especially effective for polishing surfaces and trapping dirt or dust, and they dry quickly. After use, throw the cloth into the washing machine for reusing. This reduces waste and saves money in the long run.
Try Homemade Cleaning Solutions
Ditch harsh commercial cleaners in favor of DIY solutions. Many cleaning jobs can be done with ingredients already in the fridge or pantry, such as baking soda, white vinegar, salt, and lemons. For example, spray your showerhead periodically with a mixture of one part distilled white vinegar and one part water.
This helps dissolve limescale buildup and restores shine to your showerhead. Mix baking soda with water to create aย gentle abrasive cleaner for scrubbing sinks and countertops.
Switch to Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent
Your laundry detergent must not be brightly colored or heavily scented to clean your clothes effectively. For a more sustainable cycle, choose laundry products free from artificial fragrances and dyes, often responsible for skin irritation and allergies.
Look for labels that avoid harmful chemicals like formaldehyde, phosphates, and dioxane. Consider concentrated formulas or detergent sheets, which reduce packaging waste and are easier to transport.
Repurpose Old Toothbrushes
Don’t toss out old toothbrushes; repurpose them to clean hard-to-reach spots around the house. They’re perfect for scrubbing grout lines between tiles, edges of tubs and faucets, and rubber soles on shoes.
Use them to clean stubborn dust on air vents and lift minor stains on rugs or carpets. Just label or store them separately from your regular toothbrushes to avoid mix-ups.
Switch to Natural Sponges
Most conventional sponges are made from synthetic materials and end up in the trash after use. Instead, opt for sponges made from natural, biodegradable materials like cellulose or cotton fibers. These eco-friendly sponges work just as well as traditional ones but can be composted at the end of their lifespan.
Substitute Dryer Sheets for a Reusable Alternative
Replace single-use dryer sheets with reusable wool dryer balls. These help reduce wrinkles, catch pet hair and lint, and dry your clothes faster than dryer sheets. Though they might be pricier upfront, a single set of dryer balls can last for years, saving you money in the long run.ย
Add a few drops of essential oil to each dryer ball for a fresh scent boost before use. Wool dryer balls can also reduce static cling and soften fabrics naturally, eliminating the need for chemical-laden fabric softeners.
