Reduce Plastic When Cleaning
| April 7, 2010 | Posted by Lisa Sharp under Uncategorized |
This is my post for the Spring Cleaning Carnival: Get The Plastic Out.
Keeping a clean house can lead to a lot of plastic waste, but it doesn’t have to. Here are just a few ways to reduce your plastic use while keeping a clean house.
Making your own cleaners not only helps reduce plastic but is a cheap way to get non-toxic cleaners.
Ingredients Needed:
Hydrogen Peroxide
Tea Tree Essential Oil
Baking Soda
Essential Oils (Whatever scents you like)
Vinegar
Liquid Castile Soap
Empty spray bottles and jugs (just save things from around the house)
Color Safe Bleach
In a plastic Gallon Jug (I used a old laundry soap bottle, any clean gallon jug will do) add:
2 c. hydrogen peroxide
enough water to fill.
Store covered. To Use:
Soak items in this solution for 10 to 30 minutes.
Mold Cleaner
Use a few teaspoons of tea tree oil in a spray bottle with warm water and spray and let set for awhile and then wipe off. The tea tree oil will kill the mold and help keep it from coming back. It even kills most toxic mold.
Carpet Freshener
Put baking soda on the carpet, leave it for awhile (as long as you can really) and then vacuum it up. Most carpet fresheners are full of harmful chemicals but the baking soda in them is what kills the odor. Want a nice smell left? Crush some lavender or other dried herbs, cinnamon or a few drops of essential oils and mix them in with the baking soda. Vacuum just like you would with just the baking soda, it’s so easy!
Air fresheners
Water and essential oil (just a few drops) in a spray bottle makes a great freshener.
Dirty vases
Put rice and white vinegar in the vase and shake. Rinse of course so that it doesn’t keep smelling like vinegar.
Toilet Bowl
Toilet bowl cleaners contain such harsh chemicals they say you should wear safety glasses while cleaning! Just take baking soda and vinegar pour in your bowl and let set while you clean the rest of the bathroom. Then scrub, I recommend waiting to flush until the next time you use the bathroom.
Microwave
Heat 1 cup vinegar in a microwavable bowl for 1-2 minutes (should steam and loosen food inside of the microwave). Wipe out with a dishcloth and warm soapy water.
Drain Opener
Pour 1/4 cup baking soda down the drain. Follow with 1/2 cup vinegar and cover drain tightly until finished fizzing. Flush with one gallon hot water.
Disinfecting Spray
Mix two cups of water (preferably distilled water), 1 teaspoon of tea tree oil, and 2 teaspoons of liquid castile soap in a spray bottle. To use just spray and wipe with a damp cloth.
All Purpose Spray
Use recipe above just don’t use the tea tree oil.
Liquid Dish Soap
(Don’t use in dishwasher!)
Fill a bottle with half water and half castile soap. Easy right?
Soft Scrub
Sprinkle some baking soda on the surface and scrub with a damp cloth. Then just rinse.
EcoBags Loofah-Art Scrubbers are super cute and a great plastic-free option. (I do not own one of these so I don’t know how they are packaged.)
For my toilet brush I use a coir brush with a wooden handle from Greenfeet.com. These came with just a paper tag on it, don’t remember if it was attached with plastic or not but if so it was a VERY small amount of plastic.
The Tampico Dish Brush is what I plan replace my plastic dish brushes with when they need replaced. They have replacement heads so you don’t have to replace the whole brush when it wears out. (not sure how they are packaged)
Twist makes some great products which are eco-friendly and plastic free (other than packaging, Twist are you listening? We want plastic free packaging please.). The sponge (above) are great if you like the fill of a sponge more than a cloth. I have a few but use my Skoy Cloths more.
My favorite Twist product is the bamboo cloths. I use them for dusting. They are very soft and all you have to do is dampen them and wipe for non-toxic, easy dusting.
If you already own a popular mop and/or duster that uses disposable pads or dusters, go to Etsy.com to find reusable options.You can contact the seller for information on how they package their items and ask they be plastic free.
These are just a few ways you can reduce your plastic waste when cleaning. Feel free to comment with your tips!
*I make a small amount when you buy from a few of the stores linked here. Check out my disclaimer for more information.*
