Zero waste cleaning DIY products and tips

Common Household Ingredients for Zero Waste Cleaning

1. Baking Soda: This versatile ingredient is great for cutting grease, deodorizing, and lifting grime. It can also whiten laundry and help remove stains on ceramics.
2. Castile Soap: Available in both solid and liquid forms, castile soap is excellent for cutting grease and lifting grime.
3. Olive Oil: Perfect for lifting grime and polishing surfaces.
4. White Vinegar: A powerhouse ingredient that cuts grease, deodorizes, and has antibacterial properties.
5. Essential Oils: Useful for cutting grease, deodorizing, lifting grime, and can be antibacterial. Popular choices include lemon, tea tree, lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, and orange.
6. Lemon Juice: Disinfects and leaves a fresh scent.
7. Hydrogen Peroxide: Known for its antibacterial properties and ability to remove stains.

DIY Cleaning Recipes

All-Purpose Cleaner

• Ingredients: Equal parts vinegar and water, 15-20 drops of essential oil.
• Instructions: Mix the ingredients in a spray bottle. This cleaner is perfect for most surfaces but avoid using it on marble or granite.

Gunk Remover

• Ingredients: Equal parts baking soda and olive oil.
• Instructions: Mix into a paste and let it sit for a few hours before wiping off. Ideal for removing jar labels.

Stainless Steel Cleaner

• Ingredients: Olive oil and white vinegar.
• Instructions: Dab some olive oil onto a cloth and wipe the smudges. Then, use a clean part of the cloth dampened with vinegar to wipe over the same spots until clean.

Mold Cleaner

• Ingredients: Baking soda and water.
• Instructions: Mix into a paste, apply to the surface, and let it sit for a few minutes. Clean with a scrubber or old toothbrush. Great for cleaning grout and sink drains.

All-Purpose Scour

• Ingredients: 1 2/3 cups of baking soda, 1/2 cup of liquid castile soap, 1/2 cup of water.
• Instructions: Mix well and store in an airtight container like a jar.

Zero Waste Cleaning Tips

1. Reuse and Repurpose: Use old t-shirts or towels as cleaning rags instead of buying new ones. This reduces waste and gives new life to old items.
2. Buy in Bulk: Purchase ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, and castile soap in bulk to reduce packaging waste.
3. Avoid Single-Use Products: Opt for reusable cleaning tools like microfiber cloths, which can be washed and reused multiple times.
4. Compostable Sponges: Use sponges made from natural materials that can be composted at the end of their life.
5. DIY Cleaning Tools: Make your own cleaning tools, such as a reusable mop head from old towels or a dusting cloth from an old t-shirt.
6. Natural Air Fresheners: Instead of chemical-laden air fresheners, use natural alternatives like simmering a pot of water with citrus peels and herbs or using essential oil diffusers.
7. Minimalist Approach: Simplify your cleaning routine by using fewer products. Many DIY cleaners can serve multiple purposes, reducing the need for a different product for every task.

Benefits of Zero Waste Cleaning

1. Healthier Home: By using natural ingredients, you reduce your exposure to potentially harmful chemicals found in conventional cleaning products.
2. Environmental Impact: Reducing plastic waste and using biodegradable ingredients helps protect the environment.
3. Cost-Effective: Many DIY cleaning products are made from inexpensive household ingredients, saving you money in the long run.
4. Customizable: You can tailor DIY cleaning products to your preferences, choosing scents and ingredients that you like and avoiding those you don’t.

Final Thoughts

Transitioning to zero waste cleaning is a journey that can start with small, manageable steps. Begin by replacing one or two conventional products with DIY alternatives and gradually expand your zero waste cleaning routine. Not only will you be contributing to a healthier planet, but you’ll also enjoy a cleaner, safer home environment.

If you have any specific cleaning challenges or need more detailed recipes, feel free to ask! Happy cleaning! 🌿