Zero Waste Cleaning Products and Tips
Spring has sprung and that means many of us are breaking out of our hibernation and cleaning! Let’s talk about some eco-friendly cleaning products, why I like them, and what makes them eco-friendly and human-safe.
General Cleaners
I love this all-purpose cleaner! My favorite part is that they give you a glass reusable bottle. Some brands so refills but in plastic bottles. It’s fine, single-use is the problem, but glass just lasts so much longer. You order one of their refills, a small glass bottle or concentrated solution, add it to your spray bottle at home, and top with water. The best part is, you can use a bottle you already have and just order the concentrates!
Maybe you’d rather use what you already have, that’s great! Simply soak some citrus peels in vinegar for up to a month. Strain, dilute 1 part vinegar to 1 part water and add to a reused spray bottle. That’s it!
You can also just simply mix white vinegar and water without adding the orange peels.
Meliora is another great option for cleaner refills. They also send you a glass spray bottle if you need one or you can use what you already have and simply order their refills only. I like their packaging much more than Grove’s though. Meliora’s is a little tab that comes in fully recyclable paper. Yes, glass is recyclable, but it isn’t always recycled and it’s heavier to ship and breakable. Learn more about my favorite materials in this video.
Anyway, it’s quite the same otherwise: order your refill, add the tab to your bottle, add warm water, and give it a little shake. Easy!
Specialty Cleaners
This is one of the hardest cleaners to swap, in my opinion. Homemade versions don’t cut it and some store-bought eco versions are super streaky. I’ve found Grove’s refillable glass and window cleaner to be great! It works the same as their all-purpose cleaner refills and it left no streaks on my bathroom mirror. Check it out here!
Honestly, an all-purpose cleaner will totally cut it for any surface, but if you’re looking for something bathroom-specific, I recommend Grove’s tub & tile. I feel like it really gets away the bathroom grime. Its refill works just like their other options.
Dishwasher and dish soap
I love these tabs! I love that they are truly plastic-free, they have a very nice tin option that you can reuse, and they work wonders on my dishes. They’re sparkly, clean, and there is no residue left over. I sure will miss having a dishwasher, but I’ve enjoyed these for the time being.
This is for all you hand-washers out there like I am most of the time. This dish soap refill comes in paperboard (aka TetraPak, full thoughts on that material in this video) and you refill their glass bottle at home. Alternatively, you can use whatever bottle you already have, too. It’s far from perfect, but it’s also leaps and bounds better than traditional options. Plus, it smells and works great!
Paper Towels and Rags
If you’re looking for a disposable option for easy cleaning, I highly recommend bamboo or recycled paper towels. They are less harmful to create and often around the same price. Plus, they are just as good of quality. I personally like Who Gives a Crap, but I know others speak highly of Reel Paper.
Unpaper towels
This is a great paid option for reusable paper towels/rags. This option is especially cool cause you can get fun patterns and prints and they also roll up and can be placed on existing paper towel holders! They are washable, reusable, and easy to use.
DIY Rags
Maybe you’re like me and prefer a good free option no matter how ugly. Let’s talk DIY and use what you have rags. Chances are, you probably already have some dingy washcloths lying around. Just use those as cleaning rags. After all, you’re going to wash them anyway! If you want designated cleaning rags, use something else you already have such as old clothing or even an old towel cut into squares.
Scrubbing Brushes, etc
Package Free Shop (PFS) wooden brushes
Wooden dish brushes are basically like their plastic counterparts only they are less pollutive to create and dispose of. I love all the ones I have tried from PFS. They are durable, work well, and are aesthetically pleasing, too. They have so many different styles or all different needs.
TruEarth compostable dish sponges
If you’re looking for a dish sponge with less impact, try bioplastic sponges. I love these ones from TruEarth. They work well and they truly decompose, I tested it in a pot of soil! But, they don’t break down while you’re using them, at least not enough to notice. They get the job done and have less impact on the planet.
This is an option that is quite similar to sponges but also acts kind of like a reusable paper towel. You can use these to clean up messes, wash dishes, scrub countertops and more. Plus, they’re washable and reusable. You can even wash them in a dishwasher!
Trash Bags
Spring cleaning inevitably means things will get thrown away, even among the most eco-minded people. But, you can reduce your impact by choosing trash bags that are less harmful to create. No, they won’t break down in landfills, but the important thing is reducing emissions.
If you want a compostable option, opt for HoldOn. They’re durable, fit most trash cans, and are easy to use. Note, bioplastics do technically expire, this just means their quality and durability will go down after a year or two do don’t over-buy them!
If you want a super durable option that acts just like normal trash bags, get recycled plastic bags. I really like these from Grove and find they’re super sturdy and feel like a normal trash bag but with less impact.
Laundry Detergent and other laundry accessories
I’ll keep it brief here cause I already talked about laundry swaps in depth in this post, but here are some brand recommendations if you don’t have the time to read that full post:
Clean Cult laundry detergent liquid
Meliora laundry powder
Kind Laundry laundry sheets
Bleach
Meliora’s bleach alternative is perfect for whitening whites or even using as a cleaner around the house. It’s better for the planet and for you! Plus, it’s pet and kid safe. There is so much to love about this product, I cannot recommend it enough for those looking for a bleach alternative.
Hand Sanitizer
Plaine Products makes a great hand sanitizer that’s perfect for cleaning up after spring cleaning or for on the go. It’s packaged in not only recyclable bottles but reusable bottles! You send the bottles back, free of charge, and Plaine refills them and sends them back out. You can learn more about Plaine Products here.
Misc tips
Open your window as a natural air freshener. It will defunk your home and it’s totally free and zero waste
Use what you have! Vinegar, citrus, baking soda, and salt all make great cleaners. They’re all very cheap, very eco, and you probably already have some lying around.
Use what you have but in a cleaning product way. Simply use the last of your Windex, the last of your “normal” bleach, and all-purpose cleaners. They’re not great for the environment, but it’s either you use them as normal and get the most use out of them or you send it to the landfill where it’s just as toxic. Plus, if you use them all, you may end up with some nice bottles and containers you can reuse!
That’s it! Happy cleaning, I hope this helps you clean in a more eco way. Let us know your recommendations down below cause I’m sure this is just the tip of the zero waste cleaning ice burg.
Thank you so much for reading along, I hope you enjoyed it, as always, remember that your small actions make a big difference in the long run :)
Emma
