Zero waste cleaning swaps
There's nothing like a clean home, but commercial cleaning products can be made with harmful chemical ingredients, and also generate quite a bit of plastic waste. Though it's easy to throw away things without much of a thought, these chemicals and plastics pose a threat to overall water quality in our local communities.
The following are a few zero waste swaps to help you lighten your footprint when cleaning. Check out the video to the left, as well as a summary and links to the products below. There are plenty of great ways to use common household ingredients to clean your home, but also some innovative ones on the market if you're looking for something a bit more convenient.
This video is also sponsored by Tru Earth, an innovative laundry company that has created laundry strips that help reduce transportation emissions compared to conventional liquid detergent. Be sure to check the bottom of this post for more information and a coupon code for your next order.
8 zero waste cleaning swaps
Cleaning can still be done effectively with the following products or swaps you might already have in your home. Consider reducing, reusing, and repurposing what you already have to keep your home clean and dust free.
Laundry strips
If you don't have a local zero waste store to refill your laundry detergent, Tru Earth's laundry strips come without single-use plastic packaging
These strips come without water and dissolve once wet, which keeps them lightweight to help reduce transportation emissions
Wool dryer balls
Swap out single-use laundry sheets for wool dryer balls - add a few drops of your preferred essential oil, allow it to dry, and place 2-3 dryer balls in your next load
They help reduce static and decrease dryer time and work great if you want to freshen up your dresser drawers
Laundry stain stick
This stain stick helps tackles stains before you put them into the laundry for washing - simply rub on wet fabric before putting into your hamper
Baking soda and vinegar
Use vinegar and water for a simple all-purpose spray, and baking soda to scrub surfaces
Add additional ingredients and explore other recipes for different cleaning solutions throughout your home
Essential oils
Essential oils are lovely alternatives to freshen a space, whether adding them to a cleaning solution or diffuser
Make sure to use pet-safe oils if you have pets in the home, and always use a carrier solution as they are quite concentrated
Essential oils of eucalyptus, lavender, tea tree, and any citrus fruit are also great for cleaning/killing bacteria
Compostable brushes and sponges
Replace old plastic sponges and scrubbers with compostable ones, such as this bottle brush or scrubber brush - repurpose any bamboo toothbrush as well to help clean corners and tough to reach areas
Instead of rubbing off tiny plastic particles from plastic cleaning tools, these compostable scrubbers are all-natural and compostable at the end of life
Dish soap block
Similar to bar soaps for your body, dish soap blocks eliminate the need for any plastic packaging like liquid dish soaps
Add some water to your sponge or brush, scrub onto your dish soap block, and create lather to wash your dishes
Dishcloths
Use old t-shirts as rags, or a reusable Swedish dishcloth as an alternative to single-use paper towels
Make your own reusable swiffer alternative, or try out a quick loop mop head to keep things plastic free
About Tru Earth
While most laundry products come packaged in single-use plastic jugs and containers, Tru Earth has created an innovative laundry strip that eliminates the need for plastic packaging. Because they're significantly lighter and smaller, they reduce overall transportation costs and emissions by up to 94% compared to leading liquid detergents. They're also made without parabens, phosphates, added dyes, or bleach, and are greywater safe. Be sure to use the code SIMPLYCHRISTINE10 for 10% off your next order.