Climate change is a bigger issue than ever before. As such, it’s going to take a collaborative effort from everyone all over the globe to minimise if not solve the issue. Still, there are plenty of steps that you can take as an individual to reduce your carbon footprint and do your own part in saving the planet.

One such way to do this is to adopt a greener cleaning routine. Not only is it beneficial to nature, it’s also healthier for you and your family. What’s more, there are a lot of simple solutions that don’t require you to purchase a lot of new equipment or expensive products! Here are a few suggestions:

Use Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products

It used to be that Earth-friendly cleaning products were difficult to find, more expensive than traditional ones, or both. However, due to the increasing demand, these so-called green cleaners are now more accessible. From laundry detergents to car waxes, there is now a wealth of organic and sustainable items that you can use to clean in and around your home.

There are also a lot of household staples that are also incredible cleaning agents. These include white vinegar, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide. Even essential oils can be used to deodorise rooms and degrease cooking tools.

Choose Reusable Cleaning Materials Instead of Disposable Ones

You’re probably used to cleaning a variety of surfaces like countertops and windows using paper towels and sponges. However, despite the excellent results, this practice is quite wasteful. What you can do instead is to switch to reusable cleaning cloths like those made from microfibre.

The key is to care for microfibre properly to make it last for years. Wash it using warm water and mild detergent, then air or tumble dry. Never use fabric softeners on microfibre cloths to keep the fibres from getting clogged.

If you’d rather not buy new cleaning products, you can recycle old clothes made from cotton or other absorbent materials. Cut them up into shapes you want and stitch up the sides to prevent fraying. Remember to wash and sanitise them after each use.

Bring Out Those Buckets

Conserving water is a big part of living a greener lifestyle. This is why we’ve been advised since childhood to turn off the tap and instead use a glass of water when brushing our teeth. The same principle applies to cleaning.

If you’re mopping the floor or scrubbing the toilet, it’s more economical and eco-friendly to use a couple of buckets instead of letting the water run. It’s also better to use a broom to sweep off dirt and debris than a hose. You’ll save more than a couple of litres this way, saving the planet as well as your wallet from astronomical utility bills.

Do One Thing at a Time

Not only is multitasking a myth (humans can’t perform two or more tasks that require high brain function at the same time), it’s also wasteful when it comes to chores. Why? It’s likely to make you forget one thing or the other.

For example, if you’re trying to squeeze in some vacuuming while cooking, you might end up burning lunch. Depending on the situation, you might end up having to redo everything. You’ll then have wasted not only resources but also time.

By doing one thing at a time, you’ll be able to complete it much faster. Moreover, the results will definitely be better because you are able to focus all your efforts towards that singular task.

Do Certain Tasks on Certain Days

Some chores are better accomplished in certain weather conditions. For example, if you usually use a dryer when washing your clothes, consider scheduling doing laundry on a sunny day. Drying your clothes this way does not only conserve energy but also gives a fresher, cleaner scent.

Find Natural Alternatives to Artificial Cleaners

As earlier mentioned, there are plenty of effective cleaning alternatives that you can find at home. Aside from the above-mentioned vinegar, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide, you’ll also find that borax, lemon juice, cornstarch, rubbing alcohol, coarse salt, olive oil, and even used coffee grounds are extra useful in cleaning.

Of course, be sure to do your research about the proper usage of each item for cleaning to get the best results. For instance, some items may not be suitable for certain surfaces, so be careful before using them.

There are also some myths that you should be aware of, such as that of combining vinegar and baking soda. Mixing these two only neutralises their good effects, which means you should use them individually to achieve results.

 

As you can see, a greener cleaning routine is rather simple to accomplish. It can take some getting used to, but the difference is truly game-changing.

Large-scale green-cleaning can be more difficult to accomplish, however, such as for businesses and office spaces. In this case, professional cleaners like Crewcare can handle things for you. Not only do they have the right tools and expertise, they can also ensure that your commercial spaces are cleaned in an efficient and eco-friendly way!