Sustain-a-ville

I recently watched a video online where someone polled random strangers to ask what kinds of cleaning products they use. Almost every single one said some variation of disinfecting wipes or a chemical spray with paper towels. Somehow along the way, companies who create these kinds of cleaning products convinced us that we needed these harsh chemicals in order to effectively clean our home. They also convinced us that we need a different type of cleaner for almost every surface the house. I mean, just take a look through the cleaning aisle in your local big box store – there is a cleaner for everything from stainless steel to wood furniture, glass, toilets, and everything in between. And while it is important to keep the surface you’re cleaning in mind when choosing a cleaning product, the reality is that you only need a couple different options.

The two main types of cleaning agents I use in my home are a diluted vinegar solution and castile soap. Here’s how I use each one:

Vinegar

Vinegar is an awesome, natural cleaning agent. Vinegar works wonders to strip away dirt and grime in no time but it’s important to remember that the reason it works so well is its high levels of acidity. Acid doesn’t mix well with all surfaces in your home so I’m selective about what surfaces I use it on.

First, to create my vinegar solution I pour a small amount of white vinegar into a spray bottle. In preparation for this cleaning solution, I have been saving lemon rinds in the freezer. After I squeeze the juice out of a lemon and am done with the rind, I add it to a food storage container in the freezer. Once I have saved up a few, I put a pot of water on the stove and add the lemons. I bring the water to a boil and then simmer for about 20 minutes (this isn’t really an exact science so don’t quote me here, but this works for me). Remove the pot from heat and let cool. Once it’s cooled you can remove the lemons and seeds and place them in your compost. You are now left with a lemon water that you can add to the spray bottle with the vinegar. The lemons help with the fragrance of the mixture as well as add to the acidity and the water dilutes both to make it safe to use on surfaces in your home.

Since the acid can be harsh on some surfaces, I typically use the vinegar solution to clean anything made of glass such as mirrors, glass table tops, and the coffee maker. I do also occasionally use it on the kitchen table, countertops, and in the bathrooms but I use it here sparingly since the acid can wear away the sealant on counter tops and can harm wood that hasn’t been sealed. You can also use the vinegar mixture for harsh dish stains – when I have a particularly tricky mess on the bottom of a stainless steel pan I will sprinkle some baking soda and spray the vinegar solution on top. This will break up the mess and make it much easier to clean.

Castile Soap

If you have ever used castile soap, you know that it’s advertised to be the cleaning product to rule them all. Since it’s non-toxic and biodegradable, you can use it on anything from your hands to your dishes. Castile soap is also quite potent and can be diluted before use (like one part soap, 10 parts water). Since it doesn’t contain any acidity or harsh chemicals, it can be used to clean pretty much every surface of your home. I use it to clean wood furniture and floors, countertops in both the kitchen and the bathroom, showers, toilets, stainless steel appliances, etc.

One thing to remember is that many of the products created that are not eco-friendly were created for the convenience. Not only do you have to go through the trouble to dilute the castile soap before using but, like anything cleaned with soap, it will also need to be rinsed away with water afterwards. These are definitely down sides that don’t exist with, say, Clorox wipes. But even if you buy the all-natural wipes, the ones that claim to be compostable, the plastic container they come in can’t be recycled (at least in Nashville). The options above, while maybe not the easiest or most convenient products, are all-natural, free of toxic chemicals, and create little to no waste. Especially if you can fill up your own container with castile soap at the local refill store and buy vinegar in a glass container to be recycled.

I also prefer to use reusable cloths for cleaning. I have a set of cotton cloths that I use for cleaning the bathrooms and the floors and a set of reusable “paper towels” from the Zero Waste Club that I use for cleaning kitchen counter tops and other surfaces. The best part about using 100% cotton cloths is they can be reused many times AND composted at the end of their life. If you’re cleaning with all-natural solutions, paper towels can also be composted when you’re done but they are more wasteful since they can’t be reused.

And finally, the best part about all of these options is that they definitely don’t cost more than all the various cleaning solutions we’re made to think we need. By using these options, we can have a clean, toxic-free home and also save money.