March 2020

To protect ourselves from germs and pathogens, we regularly clean our homes. But not all cleaning agents we use are harmless to our health and not even to the waters where dirty water from our buckets ends up.
We have therefore put together a few tips for you on what to look out for when buying cleaning products, how to handle your cleaning products carefully and how to dispose of them properly.

BEFORE PURCHASING CLEANING SUPPLIES

Before purchasing, it’s worth remembering that:

🧹Basic home supplies like soda, vinegar or soft soap can replace most chemical cleaning products. Generally speaking, special cleaners and disinfectants are not necessary for cleaning a household.

🧹A neutral, all-purpose cleaner can serve all rooms, cleaning floors, surfaces and windows alike.

🧹 It’s best to use reusable cloths over disposable wipes. Also, hang on to your old toothbrushes, as these are great for scrubbing, especially in tighter spots.

WHICH CLEANING PRODUCTS & CLEANING EQUIPMENT DO WE NEED?

🧹 In the kitchen, you can use vinegar or baking soda against grease and scouring milk for more stubborn stains. Dish brushes and sponges will do as tools for scrubbing and wiping.

🧹 In the bathroom, all you need is scouring milk, limescale remover, disinfectant and reusable cloths.

🧹 In the living/bedroom, you can use a neutral all-purpose cleaner with some reusable cloths or rags.

WHAT TO OPT FOR?

Buy as locally as possible to minimise CO2 emissions from transportation. Likewise, when buying online, they can be reduced by buying from a site shipping within your country or area – also, be sure to buy everything you need at once, in bulk and with minimal or recyclable/biodegradable packaging. Keep an eye out for refillable products too.

CERTIFIED CLEANING PRODUCTS

Choose sustainable, eco-cleaning products. These are based on fats and sugars (renewable resources) and are free from synthetic dyes, fragrances and preservatives. They also avoid animal testing. 

Labels are the best way to spot sustainable products. International labels include:

• Certified B Corporation

• Cradle to Cradle

• Eco-cert

• EU Eco Label

Many countries also have their national labels.
The Vegan Flower seal will also appear on cruelty-free cleaning products.

Sustainable ceaning product brands

Sustainable brands can be found in regular supermarkets, pharmacies, speciality shops, natural shops and online shops. They cover a wide range of cleaning products. Examples of readily available ones include:

DIY CLEANING PRODUCTS

There are also lots of sustainable DIY recipes for making your cleaning products at home.

The main advantage is that natural ingredients are used, and plastic packaging is avoided – it’s easier than you think; plus, you can also save money doing so!

HOUSEHOLD REMEDIES

Household concoctions are environmentally friendly and better for your health. The following are just some of the recipes that can replace your concentrated chemical cleaning products:

• Dilute vinegar (or vinegar essence), lemon juice or baking soda with warm water for an effective all-purpose cleaner that can clean almost anything.

• Mixing a little warm water with vinegar essence or citric acid will make your bathroom shine, eliminating limescale and polishing stainless steel. This mixture is also good for window cleaning.

• Mixing baking soda 1:1 with water makes for a strong oven cleaner - let it sit on stains for a few hours and then scrub them right off.

• To unblock a drain, pour 2 tablespoons of baking soda into it and then half a cup of vinegar. Rinse after having let it stand for a while.

For guides on making more sophisticated DIY cleaners plus extra tips on zero-waste cleaning, check out sites like Clean Mama, Going Zero Waste, The Green Parent, The Spruce, Trash Is For Tossers and Wellness Mama. Books like Sustainable Home and Zero Waste Home also provide detailed how-tos.

You can also learn some recipes that use leftover cleaning products or even food scraps; look at 1 Million Women, Herworld, Bottega, Kitchn or Banish – you only need citrus peels, vinegar and water to make an all-purpose cleaning spray!

SUSTAINABLE CLEANING SUPPLIES

Things to bear in mind when using cloths:

🧹 Use reusable cloths when cleaning and go the extra mile by ensuring they’re made from sustainable fibres. You can also use old sheets, towels or shirts – just tear them into rags

🧹 Copper cloths are great for tougher stains on hard surfaces. They’re durable, can be machine-washed and are entirely recyclable.

🧹 Many sponges are made of plastic; avoid these by opting for natural ones such as loofah sponges, which decompose quickly when thrown away.

USE & DISPOSAL OF CLEANING PRODUCTS AND SUPPLIES

Both the use and disposal of cleaning products – including natural ones – should be done carefully.
Here are some tips:

🧹 Avoid spreading germs by using the same cloths in every part of the house. Change them weekly, wash them at least 60°C, and let them air dry completely.

🧹 Follow dosages precisely; avoiding over-use of a product helps protect groundwater. Also, store your products as instructed to prolong their lifespans. Closed cabinets without direct sunlight always help.

🧹 Daily shock ventilation can prevent mould from growing in rooms where humidity builds up. You can reduce or even avoid the use of mould removers by wiping down the walls or tiles in your shower after use.

🧹 Be aware of the longevity of the ingredients in your DIY products, and store them in closed, leak-proof containers.

🧹 Always recycle empty containers where possible, but consider the even better option of refilling them with cleaning products or using them for something else.

🧹 Dispose of containers as stated on their packaging.

Learn more

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