When we clean our homes we may not think about how our choice of cleaning products could be creating excess pollution and waste.
Harsh chemicals in the cleaning products we use are washed down our sinks and into rivers and streams, polluting them. This affects the wildlife living in our rivers. Many of these chemicals are also harmful to our health, and may irritate our skin, eyes and airways when we use them in our homes.
The packaging on most cleaning products creates excess plastic waste that doesn't break down.
Luckily, there are a few eco-friendly solutions to keep our homes clean and protect the environment. Here are a few of our favourites:
1. Reuse old toothbrushes and nail brushes for scrubbing difficult areas, like the grout between tiles.
This reduces plastic waste, as we are finding a new use for an old brush that we would otherwise throw away. Just make sure you keep any brushes used for cleaning in a safe place, away from the brushes you use to clean your teeth or nails.
2. Refill your empty cleaning bottles at a zero waste store.
When your cleaning products run out, wash the bottle they came in and take it to a zero waste store, where you can refill it with new cleaning products. This reduces plastic pollution as you can reuse the same bottle over and over again. It may also save you money!
3. Use reusable cleaning cloths.
Paper towels create a lot of waste, as they cannot be recycled. Instead of single-use cloths which need to be thrown away, try a reusable cloth which can be washed and used again. You could even make your own cloths by cutting up old clothes or bedding. You'll be reducing waste and saving money by not buying paper towels!
4. Try homemade cleaning products.
Vinegar, lemon juice, salt and baking soda are ingredients you may already have in your kitchen cupboard, and they can be used to make great eco-friendly cleaning products. Here are a few of our favourite ways to use these ingredients:
Important safety tip: Note that some of these products shouldn't be mixed together and you shouldn't mix these with any other chemical cleaning products, like bleach. Like mixing ammonia-based cleaners with chlorine bleach products, you could accidentally create dangerous fumes. Always label any DIY cleaning products you make, listing all the ingredients inside. If a child or animal gets into it, you need to know what the mixture contains.
All-purpose cleaner:
- One part white vinegar
- One part water (distilled is best)
- Lemon rind
- Rosemary sprigs
Combine the above ingredients in a spray bottle, shake, and let infuse for a week before using.
Vinegar is a great natural cleaning product due to its acidity, which cuts through dirt. The lemon and rosemary in this will help balance out the vinegary smell, and the lemon may also provide added cleaning power.
Tip: Don’t use acidic cleaners like this on stone surfaces (e.g. granite or marble countertops or slate floors) or on solid wood surfaces. Like any cleaning product, it's always best to test it on a small hidden spot when you are using it for the first time.
Use lemon to clean pans and refresh your microwave:
A lemon and some baking soda or salt can keep stainless steel shining like new. This is because lemons contain citric acid, which is great for cleaning. Try cutting a lemon in half, sprinkling with some salt or baking soda and using it like you would a sponge to make pans and other metal surfaces shine. You can even compost the lemon afterwards!
To banish unpleasant smells from your microwave, place lemon slices in a bowl of water and microwave for 45 seconds. The steam will make the inside of your microwave easy to wipe down, and the lemon scent will leave it smelling fresh.
Baking soda is a great deodoriser:
Because of its absorbent properties, baking soda is great for keeping nasty smells at bay. Try sprinkling some into your rubbish bin. Or, sprinkle over a freshly vacuumed carpet, leave it for at least 20 minutes then vacuum it up to leave your carpet smelling fresh.
5. Donate items you longer need
If you're cleaning your house and sorting through items that you no longer need, see if they could be donated instead of throwing them away.
Charity shops and recycling centres are always looking for new donations. Just check the requirements for anything you donate first, for example, any clothes you donate should be clean, not damaged and may need to be bagged before donating.
For more top tips, view our Green Cleaning Advice infographic.
