Cleaning your home in an eco-friendly manner can reduce the amount of waste produced, as well as harmful chemicals, as said by Mary from Uncustomary. By using reusable products and minimizing plastic usage, you will be contributing to a cleaner world, and also minimize your household’s carbon footprint. Here are some tips to make cleaning more eco-friendly:
Eco-friendly Cleaning Products
The Environmental Protection Agency has established a Design for the Environment program to ensure that manufacturers of household products label their ingredients with the appropriate labels. For example, low or no VOC labels signify that the product does not contain volatile organic compounds. But this labeling does not mean that all household cleaning products are green and safe. The definition of the term is different for different products and brands. To choose the best green home cleaning products, consider the following:
Common Good: This company, launched in 2010, offers sustainable cleaning products. The company sells eco-friendly products in glass or recyclable plastic bottles. They offer refill stations around the world and online. Their products are certified safe for kids and pets and come in minimally packaged, recyclable containers. Common Good makes a line of eco-friendly cleaning products that include lavender All-Purpose Cleaner and bergamot Hand Soap.
Bon Ami: A scrubber known for its “scratch-free” effect, Bon Ami has been recommended by Saudia Davis of “Best of New York” GreenHouse Eco-Cleaning and Cindy DiPrima of CAP Beauty. Its ingredient deck is very simple: limestone, feldspar mineral powder, soda ash, and alkylbenzene sulfonic acid.
Green cleaners: The use of eco-friendly cleaning products has many advantages. Unlike commercial cleaning products, these cleaners are inexpensive and work just as well. They also keep potent toxins out of your home. Many household cleaners contain harmful chemicals such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, and harsh acids. Making your own eco-friendly cleaning products is not only cost-effective but can also save you a lot of money in the long run.
Using Reusable Products
If you’re looking for ways to reduce your household’s carbon footprint, using reusable cleaning products can be a great option. Reusable containers save on packaging costs and help you reduce your household’s plastic footprint. You can even reuse t-shirts and socks. You can purchase reusable cleaning cloths to keep your floors clean and make your own green cleaners. These tips are not only good for the environment, but they’ll save you money in the long run.
Paper towels are often convenient, but they can be environmentally damaging. Many people have switched to reusable cloths instead, which not only eliminate paper towel waste but also don’t leave residue on dark-colored furniture and mirrors. Reusable cloths are also stronger and last longer than paper towels, making them the better option for a variety of cleaning jobs. And reusable cloths can be stored in bulk, making them a cost-effective and environmentally friendly option for your home.
The use of reusable products for cleaning your home is easy to implement. You can purchase reusable products, like rags, brushes, and sponges, which are easy to keep in your cupboard or kitchen. In addition, you can also make your own cleaning solutions with natural ingredients. There are many eco-friendly products available on the market. Using these products is a great way to reduce household waste, save money, and be a better human.
Using reusable products for cleaning your home is also a great way to avoid buying so many bottles of chemicals. You can purchase a range of environmentally friendly cleaners and disinfectants from a variety of brands. Some brands are certified B Corp (B Corporation) and are committed to paying living wages for their employees. Others even work to reduce the number of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere.
Reducing Plastic Usage
While you might be inclined to toss all plastic products, it is actually easier than you may think. You can start by reducing plastic in one area at a time, and reward yourself for achieving this goal. There are several plastic alternatives that can be used instead. One of the most popular options is silicone, which is often used for bathroom and kitchen products and doesn’t release toxic emissions when it burns.
Reusable containers are another option that reduces plastic usage in the kitchen. You can reuse shampoo bottles or reusable containers for a greener lifestyle. Purchasing cleaning products in reusable containers is also a good option because they can be cleaned properly and will reduce plastic usage in the process. However, reusable containers will require careful cleaning, as they can harbor bacteria, mold, and cross-contamination. You may also have to adhere to health regulations when using them.
One way to reduce household plastic use is by growing a vegetable garden. Instead of buying plastic bags, use a canvas or cloth tote to carry your produce. Buy your produce from local farmers to support environmentally friendly growers. Recycle old food containers as well. They can be reused for other uses, such as storing makeup, cotton swabs, and homemade beauty products. If you don’t want to grow your own vegetables, reuse old food containers.
One of the biggest areas in the home where plastic is plentiful is the bathroom. Using glass and stainless steel bottles instead of plastic ones is a healthy choice. Water bottles should be refilled instead of plastic ones. Drinking tap water instead of buying plastic bottles is also better for you. It doesn’t cost a lot to use reusable containers and can be disposed of after every use.
Another simple way to reduce household plastic is to buy washing detergent and dishwater instead of single-use bottles. You can even make your own detergent by mixing borax, washing soda, and soap flakes together. This way, you can wash your clothes without the need for plastic bottles. And don’t forget to reuse the same cloths over. By doing this, you’ll be making your household less plastic and more environmentally friendly at the same time.
Using Paper Towels
Using paper towels to clean windows is not an environmentally friendly option. This is because paper towels are not recyclable, and every time you use one, you create more waste. Instead, opt for an alternative cleaning solution that will have the same benefits without the negative environmental impact. One of the most effective alternatives to paper towels is newspaper, which can double as household cleaning materials. Using newspaper on glass surfaces will leave the windows streak-free and look great.
Microfiber cloths are a great option for cleaning windows, and you can purchase bundles of these environmentally friendly rags at a local store. Using newspaper to dry the windows is also a good idea, but be sure to protect the window frames from it. To ensure that the paper is not damaged, wait until there is no sunlight shining through the windows. For the best results, clean windows using horizontal and vertical strokes.
You can also make your own green window cleaner by combining a half-gallon of water with four tablespoons of lemon juice. If you do not have lemon juice at hand, you can also use rubbing alcohol with witch hazel. You can even use an old cotton T-shirt or a newspaper. But, when using paper towels to clean windows, make sure to use recycled products. Otherwise, you’ll end up with lots of lint and streaks on your windows.
To avoid streaks, use a microfiber cloth instead of paper towels. Professional cleaners recommend these clothes because they don’t leave lint behind. Newspapers, on the other hand, can be used as a cleaning cloth. In addition to microfiber cloths, newspaper and paper bags can also be used for this purpose. And, microfiber cloths can also help you save money on your cleaning expenses.