Most people are trying to be more conscious of their carbon footprint these days, but it can be difficult to do that when you’re at home cleaning. With these eight tips for staying environmentally friendly while scrubbing your floors or dusting your bookshelves, it will be easier than ever!
Wash your clothes with minimum impact on the environment
One of the first things you should do is make the switch to eco-friendly cleaning products. There are many brands out there that can be either plant or animal-based, and they will not leave the same chemical residue in your home as traditional cleaners may. For instance, products like laundry detergent sheets produce zero waste and leave behind no residue. Clothes washers that are ENERGY STAR qualified use about 35 percent less energy than standard top-load washers and up to 50 percent less water. Changing out your dryer to an ENERGY STAR certified model can help save money during the drying process as well.
With washing machines, it is important to make sure you are only washing full loads. It’s also important to make sure the load is balanced, as an unbalanced load will cause more energy and water to be used. The same goes for your dryer – make sure it is loaded up with clothes so that each load uses as little electricity and water as possible.
Wash your dishes with less water
You don’t have to use an entire sink full of soapy water just because you have a little bit of dirt on your plate from dinner! For lightly soiled dishes, only fill up a bowl or cup with warm, soapy water and then wash as usual. You can also soak your dishes in cold water for a few hours overnight before washing them. This will help clean the dishes much more efficiently, which means you’ll only have to wash them once instead of rinsing and re-rinsing your dishes!
Use multi-purpose products
By using multi-purpose products, you are not only saving the environment but saving yourself money as well. For instance, you can use vinegar in place of bleach or ammonia to tackle tough cleaning jobs. Vinegar is also good for cutting grease and grime that may be on your dishes or countertops – just mix equal parts of water and vinegar into a spray bottle and spritz onto the surface. Then wipe clean with a dishrag!
Furthermore, a solution of water and baking soda is a great way to clean your bathroom – you can use it as a scrub, or better yet mix it with coconut oil into a homemade toothpaste that is far more gentle on your teeth and the environment!
Reuse old toothbrushes
Old toothbrushes are great for cleaning and scrubbing small surfaces, like grout or door hinges. You can also use old toothbrushes on household plants to groom up the soil and get rid of mold and mildew that may be growing around the leaves. Moreover, you can reuse your toothbrushes on the grill to clean off stuck-on food and for scrubbing away any rust spots.
Avoid using too many paper towels or napkins
This is something that is extremely easy to do. Do you really need a paper towel for every spill? By using paper towels mindlessly, you are wasting precious resources that could be helping the environment. For instance, if someone accidentally spills their coffee on the floor, then try cleaning it up with a washcloth! You can cut back on your napkin use as well by serving food directly onto plates instead of using several layers of them. If you must have paper towels in your home, opt for the recycled version and choose ones that are 100 percent post-consumer recycled.
Dry your clothes outside in good weather
You can do all of your laundries indoors, but you should always hang your clothes to dry in warmer months when it is sunny and nice outside. By hanging your clothes outdoors in direct sunlight, it will naturally disinfect them and they will smell like fresh air instead of like a drying machine (no matter how much fabric softener you put into them). Furthermore, you can actually save money by doing this because you won’t need to use the dryer! This also has less of an impact on the environment than using a dryer does.
Reuse your plastic bottles
Plastic bottles can be reused as many things, such as storage containers for liquids and dried goods. Most of all, you can turn plastic bottles into homemade dish scrubbers – just cut the bottom off of the plastic bottle and use it to scrape away stuck-on food from your dishes!
Additionally, you can make a homemade air freshener by filling a plastic bottle with water and a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Then, simply screw the cap on tightly and shake the container before spraying it into the air to fill it with a fresh scent!
Make sure you clean your oven with minimal effort
Ovens are notorious for being extremely messy and dirty – even if you just used them an hour ago! If this is the case, try using aluminum foil to line the bottom of the pan before cooking so that there’s no food residue left behind. After baking is finished, let the oven cool completely before cleaning so that the dirt doesn’t smudge onto your sponge or towel as you clean. You can also make an easy DIY cleaning solution by filling your sink with hot water and adding three tablespoons of baking soda and two tablespoons of vinegar. This mixture will help dissolve some of the tough stains in your oven.
If you’re having trouble with any stubborn residue, try using some coarse salt on it before scrubbing! Just rub the salt onto the dirt and then wipe it away. However, make sure to rinse out your sink afterward so that there is no residual salt left behind after cleaning. Finally, you should wash your oven door with vinegar water (1 part white vinegar to 4 parts water) at least once per month because this will help prevent fires or other damage from occurring while cooking.
Doing these things while cleaning or maintaining your house may seem like an inconvenience but it will be well worth it if everyone does their part. By following these simple tips, you can ensure that you’re staying eco-friendly during even the most mundane cleaning tasks!
