8 Ways to Green Your Cleaning

This story is part of Earth911’s “Green Eight” series, where we showcase eight ways to green your life in various areas.

Every once in awhile, we all get the urge to clean. We may be expecting company, or trying to prevent unwanted visitors (insects). Here’s eight ways to go green while you clean.

1. Make Your Own Cleaners

Cleaning products get the job done, but at what cost? They’re typically responsible for around 10 percent of toxic exposures reported to poison control centers, and are difficult to properly dispose. You can most likely find non-toxic alternatives at your grocery store.

You can also make your own cleaning product from supplies you probably already have, such as vinegar and baking soda. These cleaners can be stored in properly dispose of your existing household cleaners using Earth 911.

2. Properly Dispose of Hazardous Waste

The aforementioned household cleaners fall into the general category of Find one in your area using Earth911.

3. Use Reusable Towels

You can purchase paper towels made of recycled content, but they become unrecyclable once you use them to clean the house. However, you can use and clean towels and sponges until they wear out. This creates less waste and saves you money on supplies.

4. Recycle Your Paper

Much of what you’ll end up “cleaning” in your home is a paper product of some sort. It could be old magazines or pieces of mail or random collateral you’ve picked up (brochures, programs, etc.). Set up a separate pile for paper recycling when you clean; don’t be surprised if this has more volume than your trash.

5. Open a Door/Window

Letting some fresh air run through rooms while you’re cleaning helps dilute some of the toxic material you’re working with. Instead of running a fan or vent that uses energy, open a door or window. It might get rid of some of that “clean house smell,” but your house will still look nice.

6. Embrace Energy-Free Cleaning Supplies

Remember the broom and the mop? These cleaning classics are still pretty effective for getting your rooms to sparkle, and you don’t need to plug them in or charge batteries.

7. Monitor Vacuum Use

Cordless vacuums can be your cleaning friend because of their mobility and use of phantom power” to keep the vacuum charged while you’re not using it.

8. Investigate Wetcleaning

While you’re cleaning the closet, you may notice some clothes that are due for a trip to the dry cleaner. When you go, ask about wetcleaning, which is a process that uses less toxins and biodegradable soap. Many garments labeled “dry clean only” can be professionally wetcleaned.