How can you maintain green cleaning practices on a budget?

1 Choose eco-friendly products

One of the easiest ways to start green cleaning is to choose products that are certified by reputable organizations, such as Green Seal, EcoLogo, or EPA Safer Choice. These products have met rigorous standards for environmental impact, health, and performance. You can also look for products that have low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can cause respiratory problems and indoor air pollution. To save money, you can buy products in bulk or concentrate, and use refillable containers and dispensers.

2 Make your own cleaners

Another option is to make your own cleaners from natural ingredients, such as vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, and essential oils. These ingredients are cheap, readily available, and effective for many cleaning tasks. For example, you can use vinegar and water to clean glass and mirrors, baking soda and water to scrub sinks and toilets, and lemon juice and salt to remove stains and odors. You can also add essential oils, such as lavender, tea tree, or peppermint, to enhance the scent and antibacterial properties of your cleaners.

3 Use microfiber cloths

Microfiber cloths are a great tool for green cleaning, because they can trap dirt, dust, and bacteria without using harsh chemicals or excessive water. They are also durable, reusable, and easy to wash. You can use microfiber cloths for wiping surfaces, dusting furniture, polishing fixtures, and cleaning floors. To prevent cross-contamination, you can color-code your cloths according to the areas or tasks you use them for. For example, you can use blue cloths for windows, green cloths for kitchen counters, and red cloths for bathrooms.

4 Reduce waste and energy

Green cleaning is not only about the products and tools you use, but also how you use them. To reduce waste and energy, you should use the right amount of product and water for each task, avoiding overusing or diluting cleaners. Additionally, cold or lukewarm water should be used whenever possible as hot water consumes more energy and can damage some fabrics and surfaces. Furthermore, lights and appliances should be turned off when not in use and unplugged when possible to save electricity and prevent fire hazards. Lastly, waste materials such as paper towels, cardboard boxes, and food scraps should be recycled or composted to reduce landfill and greenhouse gas emissions.

5 Educate yourself and others

Finally, green cleaning is not a one-time event, but a continuous process of learning and improving. You can educate yourself and others by staying updated on the latest trends and best practices in green cleaning, by reading articles, books, or blogs, by attending workshops or webinars, or by joining online communities or forums. You can also share your knowledge and experience with your colleagues, clients, or friends, and encourage them to adopt green cleaning practices as well. By doing so, you can create a positive impact on the environment and your own well-being.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?