13 Sustainable Cleaning Hacks to Keep Your Home Spotless, Even on Busy Days

In the chaos of our daily lives, keeping a spotless home can seem impossible, especially when you’re constantly on the go.

But fret not! I’ve gathered thirteen sustainable cleaning hacks that work wonders, even on your busiest days.

These eco-friendly tricks are designed to be both effective and easy to incorporate into your routine, whether you’re a working professional, a parent juggling responsibilities, or simply leading a hectic life.

From repurposing everyday items for cleaning to making mindful choices in eco-friendly cleaning products, I’ve got your back.

You can now bid farewell to the stress of a messy home and embrace the convenience of a consistently clean living space.

Keep reading and get inspired to give your home the deep clean it deserves while being gentle on Mother Nature.

13 Game-Changing Sustainable Hacks

You can try the following 13 sustainable cleaning hacks now to make your home cleaner and more eco-friendly.

1. Efficient Vacuuming

Invest in a energy-efficient vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter to effectively remove dust and allergens from your floors. 

Additionally, consider purchasing a vacuum cleaner with adjustable power settings to conserve energy when cleaning different surfaces.

Look for models that are certified by energy efficiency programs such as Energy Star to ensure maximum efficiency.

Opt for a vacuum cleaner that has a sealed system to prevent dust from escaping back into the air. 

2. Use Biodegradable Sponges

Biodegradable sponges are a great alternative to traditional sponges. 

The sponges are made from natural materials like cellulose or loofah and can decompose in a composting environment.

On the other hand, traditional sponges are constructed from synthetic materials that take centuries to break down in landfills. So, the waste in the landfills keeps increasing if these sponges are used a lot.

Using biodegradable sponges is easy – you can choose a sponge made from a natural material and use it the same way a regular sponge would. 

To prolong their lifespan, do not use abrasive cleaners on the sponges. Dispose of the sponge in the compost bin when it is no longer useful.

If you are searching for the best eco-friendly dish sponge on the market right now. Look no further with this article!

Plus, check out our review of the top natural loofahs for healthier skin.

3. Use Vinegar and Baking Soda

Baking soda and vinegar are powerful natural cleaning agents. 

Vinegar is used as a natural disinfectant and deodorizer. While baking soda is a natural abrasive that can help remove stains. 

Together, these two ingredients can tackle various cleaning tasks, from removing soap scum in the bathroom to deodorizing the fridge.

In advance, you can produce your cleaning soaps using both ingredients. You can adjust the amount and add other substances by referring to your requirements. 

You can follow the simple recipes below to make your cleaners. 

1. To use vinegar and baking soda for cleaning, mix a solution of equal amounts of vinegar and water (or use undiluted vinegar for more demanding jobs). 
2. For added deodorizing power, sprinkle some baking soda on the surface before cleaning it.
3. You can also mix up a batch of homemade all-purpose cleaners by combining 1/2 cup vinegar, 1/4 cup baking soda, and 1 quart of water.

Here’s something for you: curious if baking soda can be a disinfectant? Dive in to find out!

4. Make Your Own Homemade Cleaning Wipes

Making your cleaning wipes is a green attempt you can try by doing it yourself. 

Homemade cleaning wipes help to reduce waste by eliminating the need for disposable wipes. 

Disposable cleaning wipes are often made from non-biodegradable materials and thrown away after use. Therefore, lessening the usage of single-use products was vital to preserve the environment. 

In contrast, from old t-shirts or towels, you can make your handmade cleaning wipes, which can be repurposed and used multiple times before being washed and used again. 

You can refer to the simple way below to create your homemade cleaning wipes. 

1. Use scissors to cut up an old shirt or towel, then keep the pieces in a jar.
2. Fill the container with water, vinegar, and a few drops of your favourite essential oil.
3. When you need to use a cleaning wipe, grab a square and use it to clean the dirt. When you run out of cleaning wipes, repeat the process, and you are ready to clean again. 

5. Speedy Spot Clean

Instead of tackling the entire house, focus on high-traffic areas and surfaces that are visibly dirty. Quick wipes and sweeps can make a big difference in a short time.

This approach can be time-efficient and still ensure that the most noticeable areas are clean.

Here are some high-traffic areas and surfaces you can prioritize for quick cleaning:

• Entrance and foyer: Sweep or vacuum the floor, and quickly wipe down any visible dirt or smudges on walls or surfaces.
• Living room: Dust all visible surfaces, including shelves, coffee tables, and TV stands. Vacuum or spot-clean any visible stains on upholstered furniture.
• Kitchen: Wipe down countertops, sink, and stovetop. Quickly sweep or mop the floor, paying attention to any spills or food crumbs.
• Bathroom: Clean the toilet bowl and wipe down the sink and countertops. Use a quick spray cleaner or disinfectant wipe on the bathroom mirror. Don’t forget to replenish toilet paper and hand soap if needed.
• Bedrooms: Make the bed and quickly dust any visible surfaces and furniture. Vacuum the floor or spot-clean any stains or dirt.
• Hallways and stairs: Dust any surfaces, such as handrails or shelves, and quickly sweep or vacuum the floor.
• Outdoor areas: If time permits, sweep the front porch, clean the doormat, and quickly wipe down any visible dirt or stains on outdoor furniture.

Remember, the goal is to make a noticeable difference quickly, so don’t spend too much time on one area. You can always dedicate more time for deep cleaning later. 

6. Use a Squeegee To Remove Pet Hair 

A squeegee is a tool with a rubber blade, like the one you see at the car wash. But you can use it at home too!

Why It’s Helpful:

1. Faster Cleaning: When your sofa or chair gets covered in pet hair or fuzz, using a squeegee is way quicker than those sticky lint rollers you might have seen.
2. Better Cleaning: The rubber blade of a squeegee grabs onto pet hair and fuzz really well, making it very effective at cleaning.
3. Easy to Use: Just run the squeegee over the upholstery, and it will pick up the pet hair and lint. You don’t need to press hard; it does the work for you.
   

So, using a squeegee is like a fast and efficient way to get rid of pet hair and fuzz from your furniture. It’s much quicker and easier than other methods!

7. Opt to Buy The Soap’s Refill

When buying dish detergent or body soaps, it’s recommended to purchase only the refills. 

This hack can be done when you have already bought the products before. It means for the second purchase, choose the refills of the soaps.

In addition, you can buy reusable containers to store the soap’s refill. Glass or stainless-steel bottles are suitable to keep the soap. 

These reusable bottles can be used many times, preventing the waste of plastic bottles from traditional cleaners’ packaging.

These hacks may look simple, but it gives a lot of benefit to nature, which helps preserve the environment by using fewer disposable plastic products.

8. Use A Reusable Dryer Sheet

Another eco-friendly hack you can try is using reused dryer sheets instead of disposable ones. Not only do disposable dryer sheets contribute to waste, but they can also contain harsh chemicals that affect your skin.

Reuse dryer sheets, on the other hand, are made from various materials such as wool and synthetic fibres and can be used multiple times before being washed. 

This makes them a more eco-friendly and suitable alternative to disposable dryer sheets. 

To use this dryer sheet, toss it in with your laundry. The use of this product was to soften and static-proof your clothes.

This simple switch can help to make your laundry routine more environmentally friendly and help you live a zero-waste lifestyle. 

Using a dryer sheet that can be recycled instead of thrown away after each use can save money over time.

9. Shoe-Free Home

Implement a no-shoes policy inside your home. It reduces the amount of dirt and dust that gets tracked in, cutting down on cleaning time.

Imagine if, when you came inside your house, you took off your shoes right at the door and didn’t wear them inside. That’s what having a “Shoe-Free Home” means.

Why It’s Helpful:

1. Less Dirt and Dust: When you walk outside, your shoes can pick up dirt, dust, and sometimes even germs. If you wear these shoes inside your house, all that stuff comes in with you.
2. Easier Cleaning: If you keep your shoes outside, it means there’s less mess to clean up inside. That’s because you’re not bringing in all the dirt and dust from outside, so you don’t have to spend as much time cleaning the floors.
3. Healthier Home: It’s not just about cleanliness; it’s also about keeping your home healthier. Less dirt and germs inside mean you’re breathing cleaner air.

10. Use A steam Cleaner As An All-purpose Cleaning Tool

Consider using a steam cleaner if you want to clean your home with non-toxic materials. 

Steam cleaners are powerful and effective in killing germs and removing dirt and grime from various surfaces, including floors, counters, and appliances. 

The high-temperature steam used in this cleaner killed bacteria and removed grime and stains. 

The most important thing is that steam is generally safer and healthier to use, as it does not release harmful chemicals into the air. 

They are also more versatile, as they can be used on various surfaces and materials, making them a great all-purpose cleaning appliance. 

So next time you’re looking for a natural and effective way to clean your home, consider using a steam cleaner instead of harsh chemicals.

11. Use A Laundry Ball

Using a laundry ball instead of detergent is a simple approach to reduce your environmental impact. 

Laundry balls are safer because they’re manufactured from all-natural ingredients like minerals and plant extracts.

They are designed to lift dirt and stains from clothes using natural minerals, making them a better and more effective alternative to traditional laundry detergent. 

In addition to being more environmentally friendly, laundry balls are generally safer and healthier to use, as they do not contain harsh chemicals that can irritate skin or release harmful fumes into the air. 

They’re more practical because you don’t have to measure or pour them, and you can use them in a regular or high-efficiency washing machine.

So next time you’re doing your laundry, consider using a laundry ball instead of traditional laundry detergent to help reduce waste and improve the sustainability of your cleaning routine.

12. Digital Timer Challenge

Imagine you have a stopwatch or a timer on your phone. Set it for a short amount of time, like 15 to 20 minutes. Now, here’s how this fun cleaning game works:

1. The Challenge: Your goal is to see how much cleaning you can get done in that short time frame, like a quick race against the clock.
2. Stay Focused: When the timer starts, focus only on cleaning. No distractions, just cleaning tasks.
3. Speed and Efficiency: Try to clean as fast and efficiently as possible. This challenge encourages you to work quickly.
4. No Overwhelm: The best part is you won’t feel overwhelmed because you know it’s only for a short time.
5. Reward Yourself: When the timer rings or beeps, you’re done! You can take a break or reward yourself for a job well done.
   

Why It Helps:

• Motivation: It makes cleaning feel like a game or a race, which can be motivating.
• Focus: The timer keeps you on track and prevents you from getting distracted.
• Efficiency: You’ll be surprised at how much you can accomplish when you’re racing against the clock.
• No Burnout: Since it’s a short burst of cleaning, you won’t feel tired or overwhelmed.
  

13. Scheduled Cleaning

Creating a cleaning schedule is a proactive approach to maintaining a clean and organized home.

It involves breaking down cleaning tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks and allocating specific times or days for each task. Here’s how it can work:

1. Task Allocation: Start by identifying all the cleaning tasks that need to be done in your home. These can include vacuuming, dusting, mopping, bathroom cleaning, kitchen organization, and more. Make a comprehensive list.
2. Prioritization: Determine which tasks require immediate attention and which can be spread out over the week or month. Prioritize tasks based on their importance and frequency.
3. Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Tasks: Create three categories for tasks: daily, weekly, and monthly. Daily tasks might include making the bed, doing the dishes, and a quick surface wipe-down. Weekly tasks could involve more detailed cleaning like vacuuming and bathroom cleaning. Monthly tasks might include deep cleaning activities like cleaning the oven or washing windows.
4. Set a Schedule: Assign specific days or times for each task based on your availability and preferences. For example, you might choose to vacuum on Mondays, deep-clean the bathroom on Saturdays, and tackle monthly tasks on the first weekend of each month.

Why is Sustainable Cleaning Important?

Cleaning your home sustainably offers numerous advantages.

It not only provides you with a clean and peaceful living environment but also helps minimize the use of chemical cleaning products, and also reducing waste production. 

Thus, here several benefits of clean your house in sustainable manners: 

1. Reducing The Use of Harmful Chemicals

Many cleaners contain ingredients that can be toxic to humans and the environment. These substances can pollute the air and water when used and disposed of. 

Humans are also poorly affected by exposure to these harmful chemicals. Nearly 10% of employees get asthma caused by exposure to cleaning products. 

So, it’s harmful to human health.

2. Conserving Natural Resources

By using sustainable cleaning practices, we can save precious natural resources from being depleted.

These resources include plants, water, and energy, which are all heavily used in product manufacturing. By adopting eco-friendly practices, we can help preserve the health and longevity of these valuable resources.

Let’s do our part to protect our planet and its resources!

3. Reducing Waste

Most household cleaning supplies come in single-use plastic bottles. 

The product was used once and then thrown away in landfills and can take hundreds of years to decompose.

Did you know? Usually, plastic items take up to 1000 years to decompose. The UN Environment Programme estimates 400 million tonnes of plastic garbage are discarded yearly.

Practising a green cleaning routine can significantly reduce our waste and the burden on landfills.

4. Protecting The Environment

Eco-friendly cleaning practices can help protect the environment by reducing the emissions of toxic material to the environment. 

It can also help preserve natural habitats and ecosystems by decreasing the demand for products made from environmentally harmful materials, such as plastic.

Adopting good cleaning practices can minimize the negative impact of household cleanings, such as lessening the radiation of carbon dioxide gas and decreasing plastic waste. 

5. Promoting Eco-Conscious Behavior

Sustainable cleaning encourages individuals and businesses to adopt more environmentally responsible habits.

These practices can extend beyond cleaning to other aspects of daily life, fostering a culture of sustainability.

Our Verdict

After all, taking the chance to keep our homes clean and sustainable doesn’t just benefit us; it also helps the environment.

Reducing our own reliance on toxic and artificial ingredients for cleaning will ultimately reduce their demand for use in the wider community as well.

The shift to eco-friendly solutions is necessary, simple, and almost too easy not to do. So why not give these 13 clever tips a try?

Making small changes like these can set an example for others around you and begin the conversation about living a more sustainable life – inside and out.

And remember, keeping things green doesn’t mean sacrificing your high standards of cleanliness either – being eco-friendly doesn’t have to mean changing up your whole routine or giving up product performance!

If you’re interested in additional advice for living sustainably and having an earth-friendly cleaning routine, take a look at these articles:

• 8 DIY Non-Toxic Cleaning Recipes You Have to Try Now!
• 5 Simple Ways to Make Your Cleaning Routine More Eco-Friendly
• 8 Tips For Successful Minimalist Decluttering In 2023

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