How to sustainably clean your home
How to sustainably clean your home
We all love the feel of a sparkling clean home, full of naturally fresh smells and shiny surfaces. Our surroundings have a big impact on our moods, and even small amounts of cleaning, using products that are kind to the planet and our health, can reduce stress and make us feel calmer and more relaxed. So we’ve put together some sustainable cleaning tips that will brighten up your home and your mood this winter.
Natural cleaning
Lemons are good for many things – pancakes, drizzle cakes, gin... But did you know they are also perfect for cleaning, thanks to their powerful antibacterial and antiseptic properties. Dip half a lemon in salt and scrub down wooden chopping boards to disinfect the surface, scour copper pots and pans until they shine, and clean small rust marks off knives that have been left in water too long. You can also mix lemon juice with baking soda to remove stains and smells from plastic containers, and soak lemon peel in white vinegar to create a deliciously fresh glass cleaner.
Eco-friendly brushes and cloths
Use sustainable cloths and brushes to clean your home. Lots of disposable sponges and brushes are made with polyester or nylon, which is neither recyclable nor biodegradable. They also harbour lots of bacteria which you don’t want to spread around your kitchen. Make your cleaning routine more sustainable by choosing tea towels, cloths and brushes that are made with natural materials like organic cotton and wood. MadeKind has a range of ethically made brushes and cloths which are perfect for cleaning, and won’t contribute to landfill when you’re finished.
Freshen up textiles
One of the best things about winter weather is staying indoors and cosying up on the sofa with your family and pets. However this means sofas can get dirty with hand marks, paw prints, spilled food and drink. Luckily there are effective, sustainable ways to clean textiles that will remove stains while being kind to the planet – but please always check the care labels before cleaning. Start by freshening up your sofa by sprinkling baking soda all over the surface. Let it sit for between 20 minutes and one hour, and then vacuum it all away using a brush attachment. Next, mix 1 tsp of MadeKind dish wash, 1 tbsp of white vinegar and 1 cup of warm water in a spray bottle before adding 1 tsp of baking soda (beware – it will fizz!). Spray a white cloth with the cleaning solution and gently dab and rub any stains on the fabric. You can use this on all kinds of textiles that are awkward to clean, including bed headboards, dining chairs and rugs.
These are just a few ideas for sustainable cleaning, designed to freshen up your home and clear your mind, while being kind to the planet. If you have any tips or tricks of your own, we would love to see them in the comments below.