How to Live More Sustainably Through Cleaning

Use Natural Cleaning Products

Switching to natural cleaning products is one of the easiest ways to make your cleaning routine more sustainable. Many conventional cleaners contain harsh chemicals that are bad for the environment and human health.

Natural cleaning products are made from plant-based ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, essential oils, and soap nuts. They get the job done without introducing toxic chemicals into the water supply or air.

Some great natural cleaning products to try are:

• White vinegar – A mild acid that cuts through grease, kills bacteria, and removes hard water deposits. Use for cleaning windows, floors, kitchen surfaces, etc.

• Baking soda – Acts as a gentle scouring powder and natural deodorizer. Great for cleaning sinks, tubs, and countertops.

• Castile soap – Plant-based liquid soap made from olive oil. Mix with water to make an all-purpose cleaner.

• Essential oils like lemon, peppermint and tea tree oil have antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.

• Soap nuts – These berry shells release a natural soap when agitated in water. Use to clean laundry.

Making your own natural cleaning products at home is easy, affordable and reduces plastic waste from buying commercial cleaners.

Use Microfiber Cloths and Rags

Microfiber cloths are an eco-friendly alternative to single-use paper towels for cleaning. The ultra-fine fibers trap and lift up dirt, grease, and bacteria without the need for chemical cleaners.

Here’s why microfiber is a more sustainable cleaning option:

• Reusable – Each cloth can be washed and reused up to 500 times
• Requires less cleaning solution – Just water or a small amount of soap is needed
• Reduces paper waste from paper towels
• Cleans efficiently with static charge and wedge-shaped fibers
• Cost effective over time compared to disposable paper towels

Wipe down counters, mirrors, windows and other surfaces with a damp microfiber cloth to capture dust and grime. Use separate cloths for kitchens, bathrooms and glass to prevent cross-contamination.

For a plastic-free option, look for cotton flannel rags. These reusable cloths can replace paper towels too. Upgrade your Swiffer sweeper to use washable microfiber pads instead of disposable sheets.

Clean with Gentle, Multi-Purpose Products

You don’t need an arsenal of harsh chemical cleaners to keep your home clean. Some gentle, non-toxic ingredients are effective for nearly any cleaning task.

Baking soda is mildly abrasive for scrubbing surfaces but also neutralizes odors, polishes metals and whitens sinks, tubs and tiles.

White vinegar cuts through grease, removes stains, disinfects and deodorizes too. Mix vinegar and water to clean floors, windows and kitchen surfaces.

Lemon juice bleaches, deodorizes, cuts grease and removes stains. Use straight for mold removal or diluted as a general cleaner.

Castile soap made from plant oils can replace dish soap, laundry detergent, hand soap and all-purpose cleaners. Dilute in water to cut grease and lift dirt.

Hydrogen peroxide disinfects surfaces, whitens tile grout and deodorizes. Use diluted on its own or boost the cleaning power of baking soda and vinegar solutions.

With just a few multipurpose ingredients, you can avoid most traditional chemical cleaners and create non-toxic solutions tailored to your cleaning needs.

Use Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergents

When it comes to reducing the environmental impact of cleaning our clothes, switching to an eco-friendly laundry detergent is an easy step.

Conventional laundry detergents often contain chemicals and synthetic fragrances that are harmful when released into our waterways. Here are some great eco-friendly laundry detergent options:

• Plant-based detergents made from renewable ingredients like soybeans or coconut oil instead of petroleum-derived chemicals. Brands like Seventh Generation and Ecos.

• Detergent strips – Brands Sheets and Tru Earth offer plastic-free, compact detergent strips that dissolve in water.

• Detergent nuts – These berry shells containing natural saponins can replace liquid detergent. Popular brand is Eco Nuts.

• Baking soda – A natural fabric softener and odor neutralizer that cleans without chemicals.

• Vinegar – Removes stains, odors and residue from fabric softener. Use in rinse cycle.

• Soap nuts – The shells release a natural soap when agitated in the wash.

Going with an eco-friendly laundry detergent ensures your clothes get clean without introducing toxic chemicals into the wastewater that ends up in our local waterways and drinking supply.

Buy Sustainable Cleansing Tools

The tools and applicators used for cleaning also have an environmental footprint. Choose reusable, eco-friendly cleaning tools whenever possible.

Instead of single-use plastic sponges, opt for plant-based sponges made from cellulose or loofah. These are compostable at the end of their lifespan.

Swap out plastic-bristled scrub brushes for ones with natural coconut coir, tampico fiber or boar bristles set in wood. These sustainable materials are just as effective.

For mops, choose microfiber or cotton heads that can be laundered repeatedly over single-use disposable pads. Look for mop handles made of sustainably-harvested wood or bamboo rather than plastic.

Move away from single-use paper towels and disposable wipes by using reusable microfiber cloths and small cotton rags instead. This reduces waste dramatically.

When possible, look for cleaning tools like buckets, brooms, and trash cans made from recycled or renewable materials like metal, wood, bamboo, and durable recycled plastic.

Reduce Waste from Packaging

Most conventional cleaning products generate lots of unnecessary plastic, cardboard, and paper packaging waste. Here are a few tips for reducing packaging waste from cleaning supplies:

• Seek out cleaning brands like Blueland, Ecos, and Cleancult that use reusable packaging and refillable cartridges.

• Purchase concentrated cleaning refills and dilute at home to reduce single-use bottles.

• Use bar soaps with cardboard packaging instead of bottled hand soap.

• Buy laundry detergent sheets that come in cardboard over detergent jugs.

• Purchase large bulk sizes instead of small bottles to reduce overall packaging.

• Make DIY cleaners from vinegar, Castile soap and other basic ingredients purchased packaging-free or in bulk.

• Reuse empty spray bottles when making DIY cleaners instead of buying new plastic ones.

Reducing packaging waste keeps plastics out of landfills and prevents pollution. Choosing cleaning supplies with reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging is better for the planet.

Conserve Water When Cleaning

Water is a precious resource, so be mindful of your usage when cleaning. Here are some tips to conserve water:

• Sweep debris from floors before mopping to use less water for rinsing.

• Reuse mop water for multiple areas if it’s still relatively clean.

• Use minimal water in sinks when hand washing dishes. Don’t let the tap run.

• Install low-flow faucets and showerheads to reduce water usage.

• Take shorter showers and turn water off when lathering up and shaving legs.

• Wash laundry in cold water cycles whenever possible to conserve hot water.

• Only run full loads of laundry or dishes to maximize each wash cycle.

• Collect rinse water from washing produce to reuse on houseplants.

With some simple habits, you can dramatically reduce the amount of water used for daily cleaning tasks. Conserving water reduces your environmental footprint and lowers utility costs too.

Choose Sustainable Cleaning Services

If you hire professional house cleaning services, choose a company that uses eco-friendly products and practices. Here’s what to look for:

• Cleaners certified by Green Seal or GREENGUARD to prove their sustainability.

• Companies that use non-toxic, plant-based cleaners without harsh fumes. Ask about the ingredients.

• Microfiber cloths instead of paper towels to cut down on waste.

• Reusable rags instead of disposable wipes for dusting and cleaning.

• Energy efficient practices, like cleaning consecutive rooms to avoid driving back and forth.

• Conscientious water usage, like sweeping before mopping floors.

• Recycling and composting of any waste generated.

Using a green cleaning service ensures your home gets cleaned without exposing you to unhealthy chemicals or generating excess waste. It’s an easy way to reduce your environmental impact.

Dispose of Cleaning Products Responsibly

When you need to dispose of used or expired cleaning products, handle them responsibly to prevent environmental contamination:

• Read labels and check if products can be safely poured down the drain. Vinegar, hydrogen peroxide and some plant-based cleaners can.

• Allow bleach and ammonia-based cleaners to fully air out before pouring small amounts down the toilet. Never mix!

• Take other chemical cleaners to a household hazardous waste disposal site so they are incinerated instead of placed in landfills.

• Empty plastic cleaning bottles and jugs can go in curbside recycling programs if they are thoroughly rinsed out first.

• Reuse empty spray bottles for DIY cleaners before recycling them.

Disposing of cleaning products properly keeps their chemical components out of local landfills and water supplies. Check guidelines with your city or county waste management.

By implementing these sustainable practices, you can feel good about keeping your home clean while also minimizing your environmental impact. Small steps like using plant-based cleaners and microfiber cloths really add up over time. Clean green!