The first flowers are beginning to bloom, and the breeze is gentler and warmer. With most of us spending a lot more time at home than usual, there’s been a real opportunity to get started on spring cleaning! Most of the common cleaning supplies that are on our shelves contain a lot of chemicals that are harmful for our environment. Although most cleaning supplies are disposable, there are greener alternatives to the ones that we often use. By switching to different brands that support a more sustainable environment, we can reduce the amount of harmful chemicals we use and reduce our impact on the environment while keeping our living areas clean.
Here are a few products to consider:
1. Norwex EnviroCloth
The Norwex EnviroCloth is a sustainable replacement for many of your household cleaning supplies like paper towels and all-purpose cleaners. This versatile cloth can be used either wet or dry and is easy to clean. Amy Kadrie, the Sustainability Coordinator at the University of Rochester, is also a Norwex Independent Sales Consultant, so feel free to reach out to her and learn more on how to make your home more sustainable.
2. JR Watkins’s Soaps
Since 1868, J.R. Watkins has been producing high-quality products made with natural ingredients. The brand does not test their products on animals and avoids using parabens. Crafted in the USA, the products by J.R. Watkins are a favorite when it comes to body, hand, and dish soap.
3. Smart138 Reusable Dish Scrubber
Hard-to-remove countertop stains and endless piles of dishes are no match for the Smart138 Reusable Dish Scrubber. Unlike other sponges, this towel is durable, dries quickly, and doesn’t have a strong odor. This multitasker tool is sure to make cleaning a breeze and will reduce the number of sponges you throw out.
4. Eco Egg Reusable Laundry Egg
The Eco Egg Reusable Laundry Egg is a multitasker; not only does it replace your laundry detergent and fabric conditioner, it is also dermatologically tested to be skin and environmentally friendly. The Laundry Egg helps reduce both plastic and chemical waste for about 720 loads of laundry. As for drying, one of our previous post can direct you on how to air-dry your clothes outside.
5. Planet Wise Reusable Trash Liner
Help save the environment and your wallet by investing in the Planet Wise Reusable Trash Liner. These washable bin liners will reduce the amount of plastic waste we produce. You can visit this post to learn more about how to reduce plastic pollution.
Another way to clean more sustainably is to make your own sanitation products. There are many easy “do it yourself” recipes tutorials that teach you how to do so. The next time you invite your friends over, you might want to try making a big batch of environmentally friendly detergent or stain remover and share with each other to minimize the amount of packaging that is produced with traditional cleaning supplies.
Written by Emily Su, Class of 2022
Image by Norwex