The goal of housecleaning is to create a healthy living space for you and your family members. However, the process of cleaning your house can impact the world outside your home in profound ways.
Often, cleaning products are sold in plastic containers. While plastic bottles are convenient and seemingly safer than alternatives like glass, they damage the environment. Here’s how to reduce plastic waste while cleaning your home.
Why Cleaning Products Contribute Significantly to Plastic Waste
The process of making plastic bottles involves the use of natural gas or oil, stabilizing chemicals, coloring, and more. In addition to using the limited supply of raw materials, the manufacturing process itself uses additional valuable resources.
Once the cleaning products are used and the bottles are tossed in the trash, it can take anywhere from 450 to 1,000 years for the plastic to break down in a landfill. Many plastic bottles wind up in oceans, lakes, and rivers, impacting aquatic ecosystems. Recycling is an option, but the vast majority of these bottles are not recycled.
Microplastics are also a growing concern. Microplastics are tiny particles of plastics that are shed through the use of plastics and while plastics are degrading. These tiny pieces have been found in humans and animals, soil, water, and other areas.
Eco-Friendly Cleaning Habits to Reduce Plastic Waste
The critical matter of plastic waste isn’t something to take lightly. While it’s seemingly easy to toss an empty cleaning bottle into the recycling bin, this doesn’t always happen as intended. Even when the bottle is placed in the proper bin, there’s the possibility that the bottle doesn’t actually get recycled. So, what are some cleaning habits you can use to reduce plastic waste?
Choose Reusable Cleaning Tools
While disposable cleaning tools and supplies, such as the single-use pads used on some mopheads, are available, better options are available.
For example, some mops use a washable pad that can be used dozens or even hundreds of times before a replacement is needed. For all of your cleaning tools and supplies, look for reusable alternatives.
Buy in Bulk and Refill When Possible
It’s important to consider the amount of plastic used in the package in comparison to the amount of cleaning product stored in it. Generally, you’ll get more of the cleaning product using less packaging in a larger container.
Consider buying larger containers and making bulk purchases of your favorite cleaning products. In addition, refill bottles are often sold in large quantities and can be used to reduce your use of plastics.
Opt for Eco-Friendly Packaging
Plastic cleaning product bottles are only one source of harmful plastics in the housecleaning products. For example, some products, like sponges and cleaning tools, are wrapped in cellophane.
In addition to being made out of plastic, cellophone is known to release chemicals and pollute indoor air quality. Always pay attention to the product’s packaging. Choose products with minimal or no plastic materials.
Make DIY Cleaning Solutions
In some products, over 90% of the liquid is water. You don’t need to pay for a huge jug or bottle that’s mostly filled with water.
DIY cleaning products are just as effective as store-bought cleaners. These products often use natural ingredients, such as baking soda, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, and lemon juice.
Reuse and Repurpose Plastic Containers
If you choose to use cleaning products sold in plastic containers, consider reusing the containers rather than tossing them out. There are many creative ideas for reusing or repurposing these containers.
For example, some people turn them into bird feeders or piggy banks. Others use them to store everything from pens and pencils to magazines and even fresh flowers. Just be sure to thoroughly clean the bottles before re-using them.
Avoid Single-Use Products
In addition to the liquid cleaning solutions sold in plastic containers, some cleaning supplies are made out of plastic. Some of these items are disinfecting wipes, glass cleaning wipes, and furniture wipes. Others are intended for very short-term use, such as plastic scrubbers and sponges.
Consider using microfiber cloths and other materials that can be washed after each use.
While cleaning products are commonly sold in plastic bottles, you don’t have to resign yourself to being a part of the pollution and waste problem they contribute to. If you’re looking for a greener approach to house cleaning, we’re happy to help. At Cleanzen, we offer the option to use green cleaning products, tools, and techniques upon request, while still delivering the same pristine results our clients expect. If you’d like eco-friendly cleaning for your next appointment, just let us know when booking.
The post How to Reduce Plastic Waste While Cleaning appeared first on Cleanzen Cleaning Services.
source https://cleanzen.com/blog/how-to-reduce-plastic-waste-while-cleaning/
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