Love it or hate it, we have to do it! Cleaning is a part of our daily lives, with single-use bottles being a major factor in our plastic waste. If we want to live a more sustainable, eco-friendly life, reusable, plastic-free and non-toxic cleaning products should be one of the first swaps to make.
Just-Add-Water Cleaners
Did you know that most of your cleaning products are 80% water? So why do we buy so many bottles of expensive water containing just 20% cleaning agents?
There are plenty of just-add-water cleaners on the market. Simply dissolve in water and use in a reusable or old spray bottle. Not only will it save you space under the sink, but it saves the environment too.
Evie Blue is a brand who offer biodegradable soluble powders that dissolve in water. They contain no harmful toxins or chemicals but still work just as well as standard cleaning products.
Reusable Sponges
Standard kitchen sponges are full of plastic, releasing microplastics into our water systems, and then get thrown in landfill at the end of their life. With a reusable sponge, you can wash them and use them time and time again!
Sarah over at The Eco Coach House makes these sponges by hand. It is double-sided and has a multitude of uses, lasting way longer than other sponges. Instead of being thrown away, the materials are 100% compostable.
You can also find reusable wipes and kitchen roll rather than contributing to excess kitchen waste.
Bicarbonate of Soda
This kitchen staple is actually a wonder product for cleaning! From dishwasher tablets to drain unblocker, there are hundreds of uses for this magic powder.
Luckily, we have a whole blog post dedicated to the multitude of ways you can use Bicarbonate of Soda around the home.
Citric Acid
If you need tough but natural cleaning solutions, you need citric acid. It’s perfect for removing rust or limescale.
Make Your Own Toilet Cleaner
You need:
- 1 cup of Bicarbonate of Soda
- 1 quarter cup of Citric Acid
- 1tsp Essential Oil (Lemon or Tea Tree works well for this)
- Some White Vinegar in a spray bottle
- An empty jar or bottle
Method:
- Mix the Bicarb and Citric Acid in a glass bowl
- Gradually add drops of Essential Oil, stirring thoroughly
- Put the mixture in a glass jar
- Sprinkle the powder mixture around your toilet bowl
- Use a toilet brush to scrub around the bowl
- Spray white vinegar into the bowl, allowing the mixture to ‘fizz’
- Leave for at least 30 minutes, preferably overnight
Solid Washing Up Blocks
Your favourite brand of washing up liquid contains crude oil.
Ditch the chemicals, excess water and plastic when washing your dishes by swapping to a solid bar of washing up soap. They work in the same way as Shampoo bars, lathering up with water from the tap.
This one from Loofco is palm oil-free, biodegradable and vegan and has a fresh lime scent. It is plastic-free and zero-waste! Instead of toxic chemicals, it uses organic coconut oil to cut through grease and dirt with ease. You can also use this for handwashing clothes!
