Whether you want to cut down on the chemical waste of cleaning or if you want to reduce the amount of products you use that could harm the environment, we’ve created a list of eco-friendly cleaning ideas to get you started.
You can find in the market lots of natural products and methods to keep a house clean and fresh-smelling without side effects to the earth.
Green Cleaning Guide: Easy Tips for an Eco-Friendly Home
Read our tips to discover green cleaning tips for easy and sustainable changes:
Buy Eco-Friendly Products
The first step to going green with your cleaning routine is to choose the right products. Think of your own and your family's wellbeing when using cleaning products.
A recent study suggested that two chemicals present in cleaning products may contribute to neurological disorders. This might be especially important if you have toddlers at home.
Read Labels Carefully
Search for biodegradable and non-toxic options when you buy your cleaning items. Products free from artificial fragrances are also good options, these ingredients are unnecessary and can cause skin irritation and allergies. You should also avoid other potentially harmful chemicals, like formaldehyde, and dioxane.
DIY Cleaning Solutions
You can have cheap chemical-free and organic products at home if you do them yourself. You can make functional products with everyday ingredients you might have in your kitchen and use them for cooking.
If you don’t know where to begin, here’s a simple guide to get you started in the magic world of homemade cleaning products:
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All-in-one Soft Cleaner: If you mix equal parts of water, and white vinegar plus a few drops of your favorite essential oil for a good smell, you can get a good multi-purpose cleaner for easy stains on your kitchen and bathroom;
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Glass Cleaner: Combine vinegar and water to leave your glass crockery shining, use more water than vinegar for this one. You can use this liquid to rub your glass items with a piece of soft fabric;
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Scrubbing Paste: Mix baking soda with just a drop of water to form a paste. You can use it to scrub on stained surfaces;
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For surfaces in general: This is a quick cleaning tip, when in a hurry you can cut a lemon in half and sprinkle baking soda on it. Use it like a sponge to clean every surface you need, even sofas and rugs.
Reduce Plastic Waste
One-use plastic containers are one of the main sources of pollution. The world produces 430 million tonnes of plastic per year. Here’s how you can minimize your plastic waste while cleaning:
Refillable Containers
Opt for cleaning products that come in refillable containers. You can find at most supermarkets large refill packs to reduce single-use plastic waste. You can also choose to buy glass containers to pour your homemade products there.
Reusable Cleaning Tools
Microfiber cloths, for example, are excellent for dusting and wiping surfaces. They can be washed and reused multiple times, reducing the need for paper towels. You can also turn your old clothes into excellent clothes, these fabrics are usually washed and fluff-free.
Save as much water as you can
Small changes can make a big difference. Water is Earth's most precious resource and essential for life on it:
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Use a Bucket: When mopping floors, use a bucket of water instead of non-stop running tap water. This is very simple, probably most of you already do it;
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Spot Clean: Instead of washing entire surfaces daily, spot clean areas that need attention. Some surfaces can even be dry-clean, just removing dust could be enough;
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Fix Leaks: Ensure your faucets and hoses are in good condition. Also make sure, to use just the right amount of water when cleaning. Avoid leaving the tap open if it’s not truly necessary.
Opt for Natural Air Fresheners
Lots of commercial air fresheners contain synthetic chemicals harmful to your health and the environment. If possible, consider these alternatives instead:
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Essential Oils: You can fabricate homemade diffusers using natural oils;
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Simmer Pots: Simmering a pot of water with citrus peels, cinnamon sticks, and flowers can create the perfect smell for your home;
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Citrus peels: Lemon, oranges, and grapefruit peels can be used as air fresheners when cold if you place them near a chimney or the oven.
Houseplants are key
It is well-known that houseplants have air-purifying properties that help remove toxins and carbon dioxide from the air around you by creating oxygen.
You only need to make sure to purchase locally grown plants to minimize the carbon footprint and to choose interior plants.
They’re so beneficial that you could even propagate them yourself, saving money and having the chance to have many of your favorites.
Energy Efficiency Habits
When talking about green cleaning habits, energy efficiency is a must when creating a zero-waste home.
- Consider using efficient appliances, they use less power and reduce carbon footprint;
- Upgrade old and inefficient machines with models that use less electricity;
- Avoid leaving devices and chargers connected if you are not using them.
Making these changes can significantly decrease your yearly energy consumption, contributing to a more eco-conscious household.
Get Creative
You don’t have to change your whole cleaning routine at once. Here are some small changes you can start with:
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Switch to Eco-Friendly: Switch to the eco-friendly version of the products you are currently using These can be easily found in supermarkets;
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Use Cold Water: Washing with cold water reduces energy consumption;
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Recycle Properly: Dispose of cleaning product containers and packaging responsibly.
There are millions of ways to make your cleaning routine more eco-friendly, no idea is crazy. Some apps can help you organize your cleaning schedule or read labels at the stores.
Make sure to stay safe while downloading apps and entering web pages. You can use a VPN for that, it will encrypt your information and protect your data. Choose a safe VPN services provider like Surfshark for this.
Conclusion
We hope this article encourages you to start new changes and try a green cleaning routine. If you incorporate a few of these sustainable tips into your routine, you can make a huge difference to the environment and the overall health of your home.
It is rewarding to know you are consciously deciding to make a change. Remember, every small step counts towards a cleaner, greener future.
