Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Conventional Household Cleaning Products
Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Conventional Household Cleaning Products
Green cleaning continues to trend in 2024 with the sustainable cleaning market projected to reach $110 billion next year.
Consumer demand for sustainability is rising because people are better informed about the harmful effects of traditional cleaning products on both health and the environment.
Therefore, people are aware of the health implications of chemical exposure from conventional cleaning products.
They shift towards green cleaners to minimize contamination from toxic substances, ease the depletion of natural resources, and protect the environment.
Here are viable eco-friendly alternatives to traditional cleaning products that you might want to consider.
Homemade Cleaning Products
A significant reason for the increasing interest in sustainable cleaning products is advancements in technology which make it possible to produce cost-effective and eco-friendly cleaning products.
Hence, commercial cleaning companies can easily offer safe and natural cleaning alternatives to dangerous chemical cleaners.
These companies commit to reduce their environmental footprint through eliminating the use of harmful chemicals in their businesses.
It is also possible to produce your own natural cleaning products. For example, create an all-purpose cleaner by mixing vinegar, water, and essential oil like lemon or lavender.
White vinegar is an effective glass cleaner by combining it with rubbing alcohol. Another homemade solution that is easy to make is a bathroom cleaner. It is made by combining baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and liquid castile soap.
Do you love air fresheners?
Make your own at home using natural ingredients. Prepare a baking soda air freshener by adding baking soda and drops of essential oils in a jar.
If you like a simmering potpourri, boil sliced orange and lemon, cinnamon sticks, cloves, rosemary, and bay leaves to freshen up your home.
In short, there are several types of cleaners and scents that you can easily do yourself using natural ingredients.
Zero-Waste Cleaning Tools
Purchasing zero-waste cleaning tools is an outstanding way to minimize your environmental footprint. Buy microfiber cloths that are highly effective in removing dust without using chemical cleaners.
In addition, they can be washed and reused multiple times. Cloths made from sustainable bamboo fibers are other alternative cleaning cloths. They are biodegradable and robust.
Meanwhile, around 500 million plastic sponges are thrown each year, and these can take hundreds of years to break down.
A sustainable option is to choose natural sponges such as loofahs and cellulose sponges. They are compostable and effective for scrubbing and cleaning.
Consider bamboo dish brushes and wooden scrub brushes as well for cleaning floors and surfaces. They are made with sustainably-sourced wood and natural bristles.
Paper towels are also sources of pollution and environmental degradation. Imagine it takes 17 trees to produce 1 ton of virgin paper, contributing to the depletion of natural resources and environmental degradation.
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In addition, more than 3,000 tons of paper towels are thrown each day in the US alone, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). A less polluting alternative is to use fabric towels, which can be washed and reused many times.
It is possible to maintain a clean home and minimize your environmental impact and exposure to harmful ingredients.
Incorporate eco-friendly alternatives and solutions into your cleaning routines by using certified green products, making homemade cleaners, and purchasing zero-waste cleaning tools.
Do you have any other eco-friendly alternatives to conventional household cleaning products?
Let me know, til then—cheers m’deres!
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Nancy Polanco is a freelance journalist, lifestyle content creator, and editor of Whispered Inspirations. She is a proud Mom to Gabby and Michaela and partner and best friend to Darasak. Having worked as part of a health care team for almost a decade, Nancy is happy to be back to her passion. She is a contributor to the Huffington Post, TODAY’s Parents, and an Oprah Magazine Brand Ambassador.
