How much money do you spend on cleaning and laundry products each month? Now tally that up to each year? Of those cleaning products, and supplies, how many chemicals are present? Worse, how much is ending up in the landfill?
The chemicals found in house cleaning products create the most toxic environments for people and pets.
The best news is, we can greatly save money, cut out the harmful chemicals, and reduce our carbon footprint. Find out how.
In my next blog I will share my favourite DIY home cleaning products you can make yourself, at home. But first, check out my recommended zero-waste, eco-friendly cleaning tools.
Reusable Cleaning Tools:
Microfiber cloths: These are cheap and handy all-purpose cleaning cloths. Use in place of paper towels, swiffer dusters, and swiffer mop/sweeper cloths. Lint-free and machine washable. They make the perfect cleaning companion and many are anti-bacterial. Stock up!
Spray bottles: Ideal for storing your homemade cleaning solutions. Re-use again, and again.
Scrub Cloth: I prefer the Euroscrubby. These are great for scrubbing the stove top, walls and stubborn stains. Pop in the dishwasher to clean, and reuse.
Paper Towel Alternative: You can now buy rolls of lint-free, paperless towels, or the Swedish Dish Towel that will replace common paper towels. Long-lasting, durable, and reusable.
Natural Cleaning Ingredients:
Here is a list of my go-to natural cleaning staples. You may already have these items, but if not, be sure to add them to your shopping list.
Distilled White Vinegar: Vinegar is an amazing all-purpose cleaning solution. I usually buy the biggest jug I can find! Vinegar is naturally grease cutting and germ killing, and has zero chemicals or toxic emissions. Don’t be put-off by the vinegar smell. My cleaning recipes always involve essential oils, so you won’t even notice.
Baking Soda: Another must-have in my cleaning tool-kit. Baking soda freshens, scrubs, brightens, and truly reduces household odours without masking it with chemicals.
Castile Liquid Soap: I discussed the wonders of Castile Soap in my first book The DIY Apothecary, and am recommending it once again for cleaning. Castile is the most natural, vegetable-based soap you can find on the market. I prefer to buy it unscented and add essential oils later. I recommend Dr. Bronner’s, and you can find this in any natural section of the grocery store.
Lemons + Oranges: I LOVE lemons and oranges and their amazing grease cutting ability. The natural scent is always fresh and clean. Ditch that Pine-sol, and get cozy with real citrus.
Whenever possible, choose organic and non-GMO ingredients. I also prefer Made in Canada, because I trust what I’m reading on the label. But you be the judge.
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