Zero Waste Journey: How We Cut Down on Cleaning Waste

Why We Wanted to Reduce Cleaning Waste

When I first started on my zero waste journey, I was overwhelmed by how much plastic waste our household cleaning products generated. From disposable cleaning wipes to plastic bottles of cleaner, it seemed like everything came wrapped in single-use packaging.

As I learned more about the impacts of plastic pollution, I became determined to find plastic-free alternatives for cleaning our home. Reducing our cleaning waste would be an important step towards living a lower-waste lifestyle.

Here are a few key reasons why cutting down on cleaning waste became a priority:

• Plastic waste: Cleaning product packaging generates millions of tons of plastic waste each year. I wanted to avoid sending so much trash to landfills.

• Hazardous chemicals: Many conventional cleaners contain toxic ingredients like bleach, ammonia, and synthetic fragrances. I hoped to find safer, greener alternatives.

• Cost savings: Disposable cleaning products can get expensive over time. I thought DIY cleaners could save money.

• Simplicity: Having fewer cleaning supplies seemed simpler and more align with my minimalist tendencies.

Swapping Disposable Products for Reusables

One of the first steps I took was swapping out disposable cleaning tools and paper products for reusables. Here’s what I changed:

• Paper towels: I replaced paper towels with reusable cloth rags and unpaper towels.

• Disinfecting wipes: Instead of wipes, I use washable microfiber cloths.

• Swiffers: I ditched the disposable Sweeper cloths and bought reusable cotton mop pads.

• Paper napkins and towels: We switched to cloth napkins and towels that just get washed after use.

• Vacuum bags: I bought a bagless vacuum so there’s no waste each time I empty it.

These simple swaps made a huge reduction in the amount of waste we took out each week!

DIY Cleaning Solutions

Next, I started experimenting with DIY cleaning solutions I could make from simple natural ingredients. Some of my go-to recipes include:

All-Purpose Cleaner

• 1 part vinegar
• 1 part water
• 10-15 drops essential oil (optional for scent)

This works great for countertops, floors, bathrooms, and more. The vinegar cuts through grease and grime, while the essential oils naturally disinfect.

Foaming Bathroom Cleaner

• 1/2 cup Castile soap
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 teaspoon vegetable glycerin
• 1 tablespoon rubbing alcohol
• 5 drops tea tree oil

I put this in a foaming dispenser bottle and use it to clean sinks, showers, and toilets. The tea tree oil helps remove soap scum and mildew.

Glass and Mirror Cleaner

• 2 cups water
• 1/4 cup vinegar
• 1-2 tablespoons rubbing alcohol

This homemade formula leaves glass shiny and streak-free! I pour it in a spray bottle to easily clean windows, mirrors, and chrome fixtures.

Purchasing Sustainable Cleaning Supplies

For cleaning tasks that required a bit more elbow grease, I still purchase a few conventional cleaning products, but try to choose greener, plastic-free options whenever possible. Here are some of my go-to supplies:

• Concentrated cleaners: Buying concentrates and diluting with water helps reduce plastic waste. Brands like Blueland offer tablet or powder formulas.

• Refillable spray bottles: I save and reuse empty plastic spray bottles, refilling them with DIY cleaners. Some stores also have self-refill stations.

• Metal or glass containers: I look for soaps, scrubs, and polishes packaged in reusable tins, glass jars, or other durable containers instead of plastic.

• Bar soap: Instead of liquid hand soap, we’ve switched to soap bars with less packaging.

• Bulk sizes: When possible, I buy larger sizes or opt for bulk dispensers to avoid multiple small bottles.

Results of Our Zero Waste Cleaning Journey

After several months of tweaking our cleaning routines and swapping products, we’ve managed to reduce our cleaning waste by an estimated 80%. Here are some of the key results:

• We take out 2-3 less bags of trash each week, mainly from eliminating paper towels, wipes, and other disposables.

• I estimate we are saving $30-40 per month by making DIY cleaners instead of buying conventionals options.

• Our cleaning cabinets look less cluttered without all the plastic bottles and containers.

• I worry less about using harsh chemicals now that our cleaners are natural and non-toxic.

While it took some trial and error to find plastic-free options that worked for our home, this journey has been very rewarding. Our household now generates significantly less waste while still staying clean! My next goal is to start composting all of our food scraps to further reduce what we send to landfills.