When it comes to cleaning our homes, many of the items we use can be swapped for eco friendly cleaning products.
Cleaning our homes can feel like a chore but at the end of a good cleaning shift you will clearly see the reward – a sparkling clean home.
Most of the products we use are consumable meaning they need to be replenished continuously and many come in plastic wraps or containers.
With this in minds there is a lot of opportunity when it comes to swapping out items for eco friendly alternatives and moving towards a zero waste world.
In this category we have tried to stock the items we think are the best but most importantly, the ones that you’ll love.
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What eco friendly cleaning products are we talking about?
If you have a cleaning cupboard in your kitchen or utility room I’d encourage you to take a quick look inside.
You are likely to find a wealth of cleaning sprays, detergents, brushes and cloths and when you take a close look you will realise how much plastic there is connected with these products.
As well as this many of the products we use for cleaning can contain harmful chemicals toxins and micro plastics which are all bad for our environment.
The great news is that we can make a big difference in this area when it comes to both zero waste and sustainable alternatives.
Below are some examples of eco friendly cleaning products that you will recognise.
Eco Dish Washing Soap
Washing dishes is a big part of our lives and we can get through a large amount of regular dish washing detergent every year.
But it is worth taking a closer look, contained in plastic containers these products are not great for the environment.
Natural washing up bars are becoming more popular these days. They come in solid form and usually wrapped in eco friendly packaging.
As well as these benefits with washing up bars you only use what you need.
Natural Brushes and Scourers
Today there are many more options for brushes on the market. With the handles and bristles made from natural plant based materials many are biodegradable at the end of their life.
Plastic scourers are not great at all however, companies have started to produce scourers from materials you just would think possible such as coconut. In honesty, they also look much better than a standard metal or plastic option.
Cleaning Solutions and Sprays
Spray cleaning solutions have three main problems. Firstly, they can contain toxins and chemicals that are harmful to our wildlife and environment. Secondly, they almost always come in plastic containers and thirdly most do not have a refill option which means you have to purchase a plastic bottle each time you renew.
Today there are thankfully options, if you like spray cleaners then refills are available meaning you use the bottle for its lifetime and cleaning solutions are now fully natural so no nasty chemicals.
Laundry Detergent
Laundry detergent is quite like cleaning solutions in the fact they can contain harmful additives and bought in plastic bottles.
Innovative laundry strips are now available. Made from completely natural ingredients they are also 100% biodegradable including the packaging.
Clothes and Sponges
The main issue with todays cloths and sponges is the micro plastics. These are the microscopic particles of plastic that these types of products shed.
Flushed down the drain these plastics enter our water courses, seas and oceans and are affecting the beautiful marine life we are blessed with on our planet.
Natural cloths and sponges such as the konjac sponge or cloths made from 100% biodegradable materials are now available as an easy swap.
Conclusion
There are so many products that we use cleaning our homes that it can be difficult to know where to start.
The best way is to choose one category at a time, for example cleaning sprays. Once you have that area sorted then it is a simple case of moving on.
Before you know it you will have eradicated plastic waste from your home cleaning routines and made a big difference to your life and our wonderful planet.
I’d encourage you to switch to eco friendly cleaning products – you’ll find plenty of items in this category to help you on your journey.
And we’re always here to help.
