Why Choose Sustainable Spring Cleaning? 💐
Now that we’re in April, spring cleaning is in full swing in many homes! From conquering wardrobes to banishing dust and clutter, it’s that time of year to refresh everything to celebrate the start of spring and start anew. Traditional spring cleaning practices, however, can lead to a lot of waste. Because we’re deep-cleaning and sanitising, we tend to rely on disposable wipes, plastic cleaning supplies, and harsh chemicals to get that effective clean. But many cleaning products actually cause the environment and your physical health a lot of stress, and are far from sustainable. Most contain harmful chemical compounds, are rarely recyclable, and contribute to some not-so-great manufacturing processes that play a significant part in greenhouse gas emissions.
The good news? Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be so environmentally damaging. There are so many different ways you can do green cleaning this spring, and they will save you a lot of money, time, and peace of mind.
Are you wondering if eco-friendly products are better than conventional ones? The answer is yes, and today you’ll discover why!
Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products 🧺
Cleaning never sounds like the most fun task, but when you blend it with eco-friendly methods, it feels so much better to do. Check out how you can make your own eco-friendly cleaning products using everyday things that you can find around your home:
Lemon: Natural degreaser.
Vinegar: Effective at banishing grime, grease, and odours. Also has antimicrobial properties.
Essential Oils: A natural option if you want to add some fragrance while cleaning. If you want antimicrobial benefits, use tea tree, peppermint, or eucalyptus oil.
Hydrogen peroxide: A more eco-friendly alternative for chlorine-based bleach.
Borax: Cuts grease, oil, dirt, and is effective at removing stains and freshening up carpets.
Castile soap: A top-tier eco-friendly liquid soap! Safe, effective, and a powerhouse at cleaning grime. Best of all, it’s plant based and biodegradable. Mix with water, pour into a reusable glass bottle, and you’ve got a multi-purpose cleaner!
🫧Bonus: It has dozens of uses, including body wash, dog wash, hand soap, laundry detergent, floor cleaner, dish cleaner, and much more.
Baking soda: Baking soda is also used in food, so it’s a great nontoxic alternative that cuts through grime. It can make DIY solutions way more effective, whether it be for cleaning tile and grout or deodorising clothes.
Note: Baking soda and vinegar react together and fizz, but this can actually be helpful for unclogging drains.
Living sustainably doesn’t mean you need to DIY everything in your life. If you’d still rather buy your cleaning solutions, there are plenty of eco-friendly options. Many low-waste refill stores offer liquid cleaning solutions like multi-purpose cleaner, dish soap, and laundry detergent for you to fill up on (just don’t forget your reusable bottles). Another option is to buy concentrated cleaning tablets: just drop one into water inside your spray bottle, and you’re ready to go. When you go shopping for cleaning supplies, look for products and brands that offer environmental benefits like refills, biodegradable and non-toxic ingredients, and minimal packaging.
Ready to buy green cleaning products now? Check out our featured cleaning brand: Seep!
Seep has a range of eco-cleaning products, from biodegradable bin liners to bamboo dish brushes, that are “easy to use, easy on the planet, and easy on the eye.” ✨
Sustainable Cleaning Tools 🧽
We’ve all bought single-use cleaning wipes, plastic sponges and scrubbers, disposable mop pads, and aerosol cleaning sprays. They’ve helped us clean plenty around our home, and while they do their job well, they’re really not doing any favours for the planet. These types of products can clog sewer systems, release microplastics, harm ecosystems when rinsed down the drain, are often not recyclable, and worst of all, need to be replaced frequently (which isn’t so fun for your wallet).
Swap Guide
Single-use wipes → Reusable cloths
Washable, effective with eco-friendly cleaners, and long lasting (depending on the material you buy).
Plastic sponges → Compostable sponges and natural fibre scrubbers
Plastic-free, naturally abrasive, and biodegradable. No microplastics here, please!
Disposable mop pads → Washable cotton mop pads
Just wash when you’re done and reuse. Save money and reduce trash.
Plastic toilet brush/holder → Wooden toilet brush/holder
Plastic toilet brushes tend to harbour more bacteria, while wooden ones are much easier to clean and last longer.
Disposable plastic spray bottles → Glass spray bottles
Instead of tossing plastic bottles every time, just refill, reuse, and be at peace knowing you don’t have to keep buying plastic over and over.
Kitchen roll → Swedish dishcloths
Swedish dishcloths are a great swap for single-use kitchen roll because they are washable, compostable, and last a long time.
Dryer sheets → Wool dryer balls
Dryer sheets are single-use, contribute to landfill waste, and often contain synthetic fragrance. Wool dryer balls can last for years, are compostable, do not contain harsh chemicals, and make your fabrics feel super soft!
Plastic bin bags → Compostable bin bags
Plastic bin bags release microplastics and don’t break down completely. Their alternatives decompose naturally and do not leave behind any of that nasty plastic residue.
Single-use plastic gloves → Reusable rubber gloves
Choose biodegradable gloves for a long-lasting, eco-conscious option.
Synthetic air fresheners → Essential oil diffuser
Purify your air and make it smell nice with natural options that don’t contain harsh chemicals. A much safer choice for you and the environment!
Decluttering with Purpose 📦
As we clean, declutter, and go through our things this spring, we may come across items we no longer need, that are broken, or that just need to go. What matters is how we give these items a better home. This can include recycling, donating, or, the most fun of all, repurposing. This is where sustainability gets super fun and encourages you to think outside of the box! Depending on the item you want to part with, there are tons of upcycling and DIY project ideas out there. If you’re stuck for inspiration, try searching online what other people have done with similar items, or ask in online forums. There’s an idea for everything!
If you’d prefer to donate the item, take a moment to think about what place, community, or organisation could benefit from it the most, such as churches, schools, and libraries. For example, craft supplies and stationery are super helpful for teachers and school programmes, while blankets and towels are always appreciated by animal shelters. Instead of dropping off a pile of unorganised clutter at your local charity shop, try sorting your items by purpose and grouping them based on what different organisations may need. Don’t forget to check with them beforehand to make sure they can accept what you’re donating.
If your item is recyclable–great! Just make sure to check your local recycling guidelines so you know you’re doing it correctly. If you’ve got clothes that are too damaged to donate, look into textile recycling near you to keep them out of the landfill.
Decluttering with purpose also involves being more mindful about future purchases and opting for quality over quantity. Being a conscious consumer means shopping thoughtfully and investing in items, tools, and clothing that are durable and long-lasting whenever possible. You don’t have to go full minimalist, but choosing pieces that don’t need replacing all the time is always a smart choice. They might cost a bit more upfront, but they’ll definitely save you money in the long run.
Once you’ve sorted out your clutter, then it’s time to think about how to store what’s left in an eco-friendly way. First things first, avoid buying those plastic storage tubs when possible. Before heading to the shops for storage solutions, have a look around your home to see what can be repurposed: shoe boxes, baskets, cleaned-out food jars, and so on. If you find that you do need to buy more, check your local charity shops. They often carry great storage options like glass jars and containers, wooden crates, wicker baskets, metal tins, and more. Plus, pre-loved items often have more character than anything you’d pick up from a high street shop, and they can double as unique home décor.
P.S. If you find yourself getting distracted by all the cute clothes and treasures at your charity shop, remember that Ecoswap features The Charity Shop Gift Card, the only gift card that can be used in multiple charity shops nationwide. 👀
If you’re trying to save space, prioritise stackable, functional items that are built to last, rather than the trendy plastic alternatives that fall apart quickly. And finally, remember that the best decluttering tip is to be a conscious consumer and avoid buying things you don’t truly need in the first place.
Curious about conscious consumerism? Check out a post from one of our Co-Founders, Paul, on the topic here:
How Conscious Consumerism Drives a Virtuous Cycle: Lowering Costs and Supporting Truly Good Brands
Maintenance After Your Spring Clean 🧹
So, you’ve learned how to spring clean the green way. Now, it’s time to maintain it! A sustainable cleaning schedule will be your best friend in doing just that.
Start by designating your “reset” day. If you’re not already using sustainable or refillable cleaning options, you’re probably heading to the shops to buy items with fresh packaging and new cleaning solutions each time you run out. But often, when your reusable bottle is empty, you just need to refill it with ingredients already at your fingertips. Choose a cleaning reset day to refill your cleaning supplies–this could include using castile soap to refill your multi-purpose cleaner or dropping a concentrated tab into your toilet cleaner bottle. Also use this day to wash all your reusable cloths and pads, and give any of your sustainable tools a proper clean.
As you map out days of the week for each cleaning task, do so with an energy and water conscious mindset. For example, to avoid over-washing, assign different cloths and scrubbers to specific parts of your home, hang them to dry between uses, and pop them in the wash on your reset day. Air-dry linens, clothes, and cleaning cloths as much as you can, switch off lights when leaving a room, and consider fitting water-saving taps and shower heads wherever possible.
When you’re creating a sustainable cleaning schedule, it helps to focus on weekly, monthly, and seasonal tasks. Schedule weekly surface cleans for high-touch and high-traffic areas; a monthly rotation for bigger jobs like appliances, light fittings, skirting boards, and windows; and a seasonal refresh for any decluttering or filter changes. When you’re doing your seasonal refreshes, use this time to evaluate what’s working, what could be improved, and what’s not serving your space or routine.
Getting the household involved in eco-tasks is a great way to encourage greener habits for everyone. Set up a chore chart filled with eco-based tasks, and set up recycling stations with clear labels so everyone knows what goes where. If your household has finished green spring cleaning and eco-tasks but feel like something is missing, try keeping nature at the heart of your home and lean into eco-decorating! Bring in a few plants, swap in some non-toxic candles, and let in plenty of natural light for that cosy, lived-in feeling.
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Just remember that you don’t need to throw out all of your plastic tools and cleaners straight away to make the switch. Use them up first, then transition to your eco-friendly swaps. By doing so, you’re gradually integrating more sustainable options into your routine without creating additional waste.
Happy EcoSwapping! 🌱
