8 Must-Haves for Eco-Friendly Cleaning

Since I embarked on my eco-friendly cleaning journey, I have made lots of switches with my products and cleaning tools. I’m often asked about the items I couldn’t live without for eco-friendly cleaning so here’s a handy list of eight must-haves for eco-friendly cleaning.

8 Must-Haves for Eco-Friendly Cleaning

1. Vacuum Cleaner Attachments

Do not underestimate the value of your vacuum cleaner attachments! They are so useful and can save you a lot of bending and stretching. I often use them for dusting the skirting boards as well as around the top of door frames and for picking up cobwebs. So many uses that could otherwise have you on your hands and knees or standing up on a chair!

2. ‘Pod’ Cleaning Products

Have you heard of cleaning pods? They are an eco-friendly cleaning alternative and use all recyclable or reusable packaging. You just add a pod to a clean empty spray bottle, top with water, shake to mix and go! I have tried 2 ‘pod’ cleaning companies and can recommend both. There’s Iron & Velvet, which just smells out of this world divine and Ocean Saver. They are both plastic-free and designed and made in the UK.

3. White Vinegar

This stuff is so useful, I buy it in bulk! I buy 20 litres a time, which is 4 bottles of 5 litres. I then split the bottles down so they don’t go to waste, but they can be recycled in your blue bin. Alternatively, you could repurpose them.

I also buy heavy-duty bottles from Home Bargains for my new workers so they can have a handy bottle to use and then just refill from the bulk bottles. I use white vinegar to clean windows and spray it onto chrome to leave a bright, shiny finish.

4. Bicarbonate of Soda and Citric Acid

As well as working well independently, you can use these together to make a bath bomb for your toilet! Just drop it into the toilet after use and let it fizz away. So simple and safe, even a child can manage it. You don’t need to buy those little pots from the baking aisle in the supermarket though, you can buy both bicarbonate of soda and citric acid in bulk to save money and packaging.

5. Repurposed Bottles

Glass bottles are great. They look good and are a low plastic option. But I have smashed more than I can say! Now, I try to repurpose plastic bottles instead. I’ve trained myself to really think about how I can reuse items before I recycle them, and I’ve saved loads now.

6. Lemons

What’s not to love? Lemons are truly biodegradable, cheap and are fantastic for cleaning. They also smell great! They are brilliant for sinks, and you can even make your own homemade non-toxic cleaner using them.

7. A Decent Cleaning System

I recently treated myself to a Thane H2O eco system. It wasn’t cheap but it uses just water mixed with salt and electricity to electrolyse it. It doesn’t use any chemicals or cleaning solutions other than salt and water so works out cheaper in the long run and is eco-friendly. You can also put in vinegar for extra cleaning power. This was a great investment as I’ve broken 3 other spray mops as they were just too flimsy!

8. A Steam Cleaner

Steam cleaners are great and there are loads out there to choose from. They can be used on so many different surfaces, including floors, sinks, worktops, mattresses, bathrooms, ovens, glass and more, which makes them a worthwhile investment.

I hope this list has been useful. I’d love to hear what eco-friendly swaps you’ve made for cleaning! If you need a cleaner in the BCP area, get in touch with Dorset Companions today.