Introduction
Environmental sustainability is an increasingly important consideration in all aspects of our lives. Cleaning supplies are no exception. Conventional cleaners often contain harsh chemicals that can be harmful to human health and the environment. However, we can reduce this impact through mindful choices and practices when cleaning our homes.
The Problem with Disposable Cleaning Supplies
Many conventional cleaning products come in disposable bottles and containers. This leads to a continuous cycle of throwing away and repurchasing products, which has several downsides:
- Waste – Disposable bottles and containers contribute to the problem of plastic pollution. Most are not widely recycled.
- Chemicals – Many conventional cleaners contain chemicals like bleach, ammonia, phthalates, and volatile organic compounds. These can be toxic to humans and wildlife.
- Cost – Disposable cleaners add up financially over time with continuous repurchasing. This is not economical.
The Benefits of Refillable and Reusable Options
There are many advantages to switching to refillable and reusable cleaning supplies instead:
- Reduce waste – Refillable containers eliminate disposable plastic bottles and packaging waste. This helps lower your environmental footprint.
- Safer ingredients – Many eco-friendly cleaning brands use plant-derived, non-toxic ingredients that are safer for your family and the planet.
- Save money – Refills allow you to reuse packaging repeatedly. This saves money over buying new disposable bottles each time.
- Convenience – Refill stations are becoming more widely available at grocery stores and other retailers, making refills easy to find.
Simple Swaps to Make
Here are some easy swaps you can make in your home to reduce disposable cleaning supplies:
Multi-Surface Cleaners
- Instead of disposable spray cleaners, opt for reusable bottles with refillable concentrate or cleaning tabs. Brands like Blueland, Cleancult, and Common Good provide these.
Hand Soaps
- Swap disposable hand soaps and sanitizers for reusable soap dispensers and refillable soap blends. Fill them with sustainable soap brands like Cleancult, Package Free Shop, and Ethique.
Dish Soaps
- For washing dishes, reusable squeeze bottles with soap concentrate refills are available from brands like Blueland and Cleancult.
Laundry Detergent
- Consider switching to laundry detergent sheets from companies like Tru Earth and Cleancult. These come in dissolvable paper packaging.
Refilling Your Own Cleaning Supplies
Many DIY options exist for refilling your own reusable cleaning bottles at home. You can make safe, eco-friendly cleaners from simple ingredients like:
- White vinegar or lemon juice – cuts grease and disinfects
- Baking soda – scrubs and deodorizes
- Hydrogen peroxide – disinfects and whitens
- Castile soap – lifts dirt and cuts grease
- Essential oils – add natural scents and cleaning properties
Bulk refill stations also allow you to refill reusable bottles with eco-friendly cleaning concentrates. Seek out zero-waste stores and co-ops in your community that offer these refilling options.
Closing Thoughts
Small steps like reusing containers and refilling cleaning supplies allow us all to reduce waste and use products that are safer for health and the environment. With some mindful swaps and DIY solutions, we can each cut down on packaging waste and disposable bottles in our homes. Refilling and reusing cleaning supplies is an easy way to incorporate sustainability into our daily lives.
