As people continue to seek ways to live more sustainably, a trend that has gained considerable traction is adopting green cleaning routines. Cleaning products that we use in our homes can have a significant impact on our health and the environment. By using eco-friendly cleaning techniques, you not only maintain cleanliness, but you also help reduce harmful waste and keep indoor air quality healthy.
Green cleaning means adopting cleaning practices that are safe for the earth and better for human health. Fortunately, greening your cleaning routine does not have to be complicated or expensive. Here are some simple green cleaning routines you can start practicing today.
#1 Create your own cleaning products.
One of the most straightforward green routines you can adopt is creating your own cleaning products. Not only is this approach more cost-effective, but you also ensure the safety of your products. Some ingredients that can make potent cleaning solutions include baking soda, vinegar, lemon, and castile soap.
For example, baking soda is a powerful cleaning agent that can clean, deodorize, and brighten. Mixed with water, it can lift and remove stains on surfaces, and when combined with vinegar, it can unclog drains.
#2 Utilize eco-friendly cleaning tools.
Switching to eco-friendly cleaning tools is another important step towards green cleaning. These tools include biodegradable sponges, reusable cleaning cloths, bamboo scrub brushes, and natural broomsticks, to name a few. These tools are usually made of natural or recycled materials and they last longer than traditional cleaning tools.
#3 Reconsider your laundry routine.
Investing in a high-efficiency washing machine can significantly reduce water and energy use. It’s also advisable to wash clothes in cold water and air dry them whenever possible. Using green laundry detergents or making your own detergent can provide further reductions in energy use.
#4 Minimize the use of paper towels.
Paper towels account for a significant portion of solid waste in landfills. By reducing the use of paper towels and opting for reusable cloth towels, you are moving towards a truly green cleaning routine. Cloth towels can be washed and reused over a long period, making them more sustainable.
#5 Incorporate indoor plants into your home.
Indoor plants play a crucial role in improving indoor air quality. They remove toxins from the air and produce oxygen, improving the overall air quality in your home. This natural air purification can reduce reliance on chemical air fresheners.
Those are the green cleaning routines you can easily incorporate into your daily life. Now that you have these strategies, it is time to delve deeper into each process.
DIY Cleaning Solutions
Making your own green cleaning solutions is very straightforward. For an all-purpose cleaner, you simply need to combine equal parts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. This solution can clean kitchen surfaces, bathroom tiles, mirrors, and windows. If you need to scrub away grime, baking soda mixed with water will do the trick.
When it comes to disinfecting surfaces, lemon is your best friend. Mix a half cup of lemon juice with a half cup of white vinegar in a spray bottle for an excellent disinfectant.
Eco-Friendly Cleaning Tools
When you start shopping for eco-friendly cleaning tools, you will notice that they look, feel, and perform differently than their traditional counterparts. For example, bamboo scrub brushes are durable and can last for several years, unlike plastic scrub brushes that quickly degrade.
Biodegradable sponges are made from natural materials like cellulose and can decompose when disposed, unlike plastic sponges. Whereas reusable cleaning cloths like microfiber cloths can replace disposable wipes and mop pads, significantly reducing waste.
Green Laundry Routine
Opting for cold water for washing your clothes can reduce energy use by 90% compared to hot water. Aside from this, cold water prevents colors from bleeding, shrinking and is quite effective at removing soil and stains.
Air drying your clothes, instead of using a dryer, can save tons of energy and extend the lifespan of your clothes. Moreover, exposure to sunlight can disinfect clothes and remove stubborn stains.
Using eco-friendly laundry detergents or making your own can effectively clean your attire without harming the environment. A typical homemade laundry detergent recipe involves washing soda, borax, and eco-friendly soap bars.
Reducing Paper Towel Use
The process of reducing paper towel use is paired with increased use of reusable cloth towels. Several types of cloth towels can be utilized, including microfiber cloths, cotton cloths, and even old t-shirts.
These towels can be used for a multitude of cleaning tasks, like wiping down surfaces, drying dishes, and cleaning windows. After you’re finished you can toss them in the laundry, clean them, and they’re ready for use again.
Indoor Air Purification
Adopting plants as part of your home decor is a beautiful way to purify the air. Spider plants, peace lilies, and snake plants are excellent at removing toxins like formaldehyde and benzene from the air.
Won’t just these plants improve the air quality, they also add a nice aesthetic touch to any home. Moreover, they reduce the need for chemical air fresheners, making your indoor environment safer and more pleasant to live in.
Green cleaning routines are all about making small changes that have a big impact. Adopting even one of these practices can greatly improve your home environment and contribute to sustaining the planet. It’s clear then that green cleaning routines are beneficial – not only for the environment but for our health too.
Embrace these routines in your day-to-day life and enjoy the health, environmental, and financial benefits that come with living green. By taking these simple steps, you are making a significant contribution to the wellbeing of our planet and showing that every small effort counts.
