May 2022

Living sustainably means taking care of the things you own, looking after them and keeping them alive for as long as possible. But, even if we want to part with them, that doesn't mean they have to be destroyed in a landfill.

In this manual entry, we show you how to handle and how to dispose of your interior sustainably.

Utilising & taking care of your interior sustainably

It is not only important to understand why and how to shop sustainably it is also important to understand how to take care of your interior items to ensure they last for a long, long time! This includes actions such as regular cleaning and maintenance, using appropriate cleaning methods for the type of product, and choosing and familiarising yourself with natural cleaning products as well as eco-friendly ingredients as an alternative to conventional products.

Natural Alternatives to Cleaning Products

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has found that in over 1000 ingredients in cleaning products, more than half contain toxic ingredients to our health. Thankfully, none of these ingredients is necessary for cleaning your interior items and there are natural, sustainable alternatives that you can use. An added bonus is that they are also less expensive!
Let’s look at some examples on Pinterest.

Basic items to clean with:

Unscented soap – a versatile, biodegradable will clean just about anything!
White Vinegar - loosens dirt and grime.
Lemon Juice – strong food acids, cuts through grease, bacteria and disinfects.
Cotton Scraps - a gentle fabric, you can use recycled old bedsheets or unwanted t-shirts.
Newspaper - recycle old newspapers for cleaning glass and mirrors.
Beeswax – natural, polishes wood (oak) can be used liquid or solid.
Vegetable & olive oil – used to naturally clean wood.
Cornstarch – clean windows, polish furniture and clean carpets.
Oxygen-bleach - (usually made from sodium carbonate and/or peroxide) gently removes stains and whitens fabrics.
Sponges - When using sponges to clean, make sure they aren’t made of plastic, but of natural material. Loofah sponges are great for the environment, they are disposable.
Used toothbrushes are a great tool to keep in your back pocket! Not only are they handy to clean the bathroom, but they are also great for cleaning small gaps and corners of furniture.

Ensure to use non-harmful non-toxic chemicals when cleaning. Following the correct cleaning, instructions is key!
For more information on cleaning please follow our manual entry on Cleaning →.

Whilst considering how to take care of your interior pieces sustainably, check out our manual entries on Washing Clothes → and Energy →.

Checklist: Interior MAINTAINING & Cleaning Habits to Pick Up

Quick tips to help you make effective, yet simple changes to your cleaning routine.

Dust regularly
Use gentle cleaning products
Repair instead of buying new
Following the correct washing or cleaning instructions is key!
Do your research!

Sustainable replacing & disposing of interior items

When it comes to sustainable interiors, try and think: Quality over quantity, timeless over trends.
10.75 million tonnes of furniture are disposed of each year. Read that again, 10.75 million tonnes. Whilst research cannot fully confirm the end-of-life treatment for furniture, it is believed most ends up in landfills or incineration.

Eurostat, in European Environmental Bureau, 2017

Disposing of the unwanted or damaged interior should not be as common or as harmful to our planet as it currently is at the moment. Surprisingly, a lot of recyclable or reusable furniture ends up in landfills. This could be for a number of reasons: lack of knowledge on what to do with the items, the time and effort it takes to separate the different materials, and finding and transporting the items to eco-friendly rubbish collection services. Reuse within the interior industry is low and is only mostly seen in charities or second-hand shops. So, how can we ensure to sustainably dispose of our pre-loved interior items?

First of all, similarly to purchasing items, when disposing of items, it is important to consider if disposing of the item(s) is what you actually want. Sometimes making a simple change to an item can give it a new lease of life. There are a number of options in how you can sustainably dispose of interior items.

Upcycling interior items

Try restoring the item or upcycling it. For practical tips and inspiration, make sure to review our Checklist including tips on Upcycling→ & Repurposing→. Why not get creative and add new handles to old pieces of furniture or add a splash of paint, it could be exactly what you’re looking for!
It could also be a perfect piece for someone else; continue reading about Gifting Interior Items→!

Dropping off interior items at second-hand shops

Similarly to making purchases, second-hand shops are a great place to recycle furniture. Not only are you giving your items a new home, but you are also doing it in an environmentally-friendly way! As a lot of second-hand shops will collect your unwanted items for free, it is one of the most cost-effective methods for you and buyers.

Gifting interior items

Depending on the item you are wanting to dispose of, you can offer the item to an independent business, school, homeless service centre or friend. There are a number of places that will willingly accept and appreciate free interior items. Another option is contacting a local theatre company; they are always looking for props.
For more information on gifting items sustainably, please see our entry on Gifts & Gifting→

Interior rubbish collection services

Eco-friendly rubbish collection services are also available. If you are willing to pay for a company's time and services, they come and collect your items and take them to local recycling centres. This will either be broken down, repurposed or resold. To find these services and these rates, make sure to browse the internet to find one in your nearby geographical area!