Cleaning your home deeply yet sustainably can seem daunting, but with some simple swaps and DIY solutions, it’s easy to get your space sparkling without relying on harsh chemicals or single-use products that hurt the environment. Here’s how to deep clean your home while caring for the planet:
Use Natural Cleaning Products
Many conventional cleaning products contain harmful chemicals like ammonia, bleach, parabens, and phthalates. These ingredients get washed down our drains and can pollute waterways.
Luckily, there are many environmentally-friendly cleaning brands available today. Products made with plant-based ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, essential oils, and soap nuts get the job done without toxins. Some great natural cleaning brands to try are Mrs. Meyer’s, Seventh Generation, Method, Ecover, and Branch Basics.
You can also make your own cleaners with just a few simple ingredients:
- All-purpose cleaner: Mix 1 part vinegar with 1 part water in a spray bottle. Add 20-30 drops essential oil for scent if desired.
- Glass cleaner: Mix 2 parts vinegar with 1 part water.
Making your own cleaners reduces plastic waste from buying new bottles constantly. Simply reuse old spray bottles!
Swap Paper Towels for Reusables
Paper towels are incredibly wasteful and environmentally taxing to produce. One simple swap is using washable microfiber cloths in place of paper towels for most cleaning tasks. Microfiber cloths are reusable, more durable than paper towels, and work great with just water.
For heavy-duty jobs, try reusable rags made of old cotton t-shirts, towels, or other natural fabrics. Use two different piles – one for cleaning and one for drying surfaces. Replace rags when they wear out.
Wash cloths and rags with vinegar or natural detergent. Avoid fabric softeners and dryer sheets, which contain chemicals that reduce cloths’ cleaning capabilities over time.
Use a Plant-Based Sponge
Common sponges are made of plastic mesh and get tossed after a short period of use. For a more eco-friendly scrubbing tool, try a natural loofah or cellulose sponge made of plant materials like bamboo.
Look for options that don’t contain any polyurethane or chemical binders. Lily Brush and Full Circle are two great brands for natural sponges.
To extend your sponge’s lifespan, regularly sanitize it by microwaving wet for 1-2 minutes or boiling for 5 minutes. Let it fully dry between uses to prevent mold growth.
Opt for Non-Toxic Scrubbing Tools
When you need something stronger than a sponge for scrubbing bathtubs, tile, and other surfaces, reach for a non-plastic scrub brush. Options like coconut fiber brushes, bamboo dish brushes, or stainless steel scrub pads get the job done without contributing to plastic pollution.
For scouring stains or soap scum, baking soda makes an effective eco-friendly abrasive. Sprinkle it on surfaces, add a little water or vinegar, and scrub. Rinse thoroughly afterwards.
Use Concentrated Cleaners
Many cleaners come premixed in spray bottles that produce plastic waste. Buying concentrate refills and diluting them yourself saves money and cuts down on packaging each time you need more.
Look for eco-friendly concentrate refills of products like all-purpose cleaner, window cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner, and more. Simply add water to dilute them per the instructions, then reuse your original bottles.
Buy in Bulk
Speaking of plastic waste, those big bottles and jugs of cleaning products generate lots of it. To slash your use of single-use plastics:
- Buy large bulk sizes of your favorite cleaners and refill smaller bottles as needed
- Look for cleaners sold in cardboard instead of plastic when available
- Use powder forms of cleaners like laundry detergent and dishwasher tabs. These have less packaging than liquids.
Buying bulk sizes or concentrates might seem less convenient upfront, but reducing your overall plastic consumption is worth it.
Use a Reusable Mop
Single-use mop pads and disposable wipes lead to endless waste. A reusable mop is an eco-friendly alternative.
- Cotton mops work well for washing floors. Look for ones with replaceable mop heads.
- Microfiber mops attract dirt and require only water for cleaning.
- Steam mops sanitize floors without the need for chemical cleaners.
No matter what style you choose, reusable mops generate far less waste over time.
Clean with Vacuums, Not Chemicals
When deep cleaning carpets and upholstery, avoid aerosol sprays full of harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These chemicals linger in the air and can cause health issues.
Instead, use your vacuum! Most models come with special attachments perfect for deep cleaning fabric surfaces. Look for options like:
- Upholstery brush
- Crevice tool
- Pet hair brush
- Motorized brush for pulling up deep dirt
Use Non-Toxic Tools for Air Quality
Many conventional air fresheners and fabric refreshers contain toxic chemicals that pollute indoor air.
For a non-toxic boost in air quality:
- Open windows regularly to circulate fresh outdoor air
- Set out bowls of white vinegar to absorb odors
- Place houseplants around your home – they filter pollutants
- Burn pure beeswax candles to naturally purify the air
- Use essential oil diffusers instead of synthetic room sprays
- Hang sachets of dried herbs like lavender and rosemary
Keeping your home’s air fresh doesn’t require artificial fragrances or chemicals. Simple natural solutions get the job done.
Choose Sustainable Laundry Supplies
Doing laundry generates significant plastic waste and chemical runoff. To green your laundry routine:
- Look for plant-based, plastic-free detergents from eco brands
- Use laundry tablets or strips rather than liquid in bottles
- Choose unbleached, chlorine-free bleach alternatives
- Buy wool dryer balls to replace plastic-laden dryer sheets
- Hang clothes to dry when possible to save energy
- Wash in cold water to reduce energy use and fading
With a few easy product swaps, you can make laundry day gentler on the planet.
Prioritize Reusability
The overarching theme for sustainably deep cleaning your home is choosing reusable products instead of disposable ones whenever possible. Seek out:
- Reusable microfiber cloths and mops
- Natural cleaning brushes
- Bulk cleaners instead of smaller bottles
- Concentrated cleaners to refill containers
- Non-toxic ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and soap
By investing in reusables and avoiding single-use plastics, you can feel good about getting your home sparkling clean. Small changes make a big collective difference for our planet.
Deep cleaning sustainably does require more upfront planning and investment. But the payoff – a clean home and reduced waste – is more than worth it. Your effort helps protect the Earth for future generations.
