* We partnered with iherb.com to bring you this post. All the information and opinions presented here are our own. With excellent prices and fast shipping across the globe, visit iherb.com for all your health, wellness, and grocery needs! Something about those extra hours of daylight in the spring makes me want to organize and clean the dust out of every nook and cranny in my home. But one of the best things you can do for yourself and your family is to green up your cleaning routine. Not only will it be better for your health, but it will be better for the Earth too. Here are a few of our favorite tips to update your spring cleaning with eco-friendly options. All products mentioned in this post can be ordered from the online health and wellness shop iHerb. Scroll to the bottom for a coupon code to save on your order.
1. With Cleaning Products, More Isn’t Always Better. Buy Concentrated Formulas to Reduce Post Consumer Packaging Waste
If you haven’t noticed, traditional cleaning products require a ton of plastic. While I’m sure many of us try to recycle, sometimes it’s hard to know precisely what’s being recycled once it leaves our bins. According to a 2020 report, of the 267.8 million tons of solid waste produced, only 94.2 million tons were recycled or composted, while only 8% of all plastic gets recycled. The rest is sent to landfills or incinerated. And unlike paper which can be recycled up to 7 times before it’s too broken down to be turned into a new form, plastics can only be recycled once or twice.
If your cleaning supplies aren’t concentrated, you’re paying for a product made mostly of water, which increases the amount of plastic packing needed to store that product. Globally, even just a tiny amount can have a considerable impact. On the other hand, concentrated formulas can offer effective cleaning products that are just as effective in smaller amounts. This reduces the amount of plastic and packaging needed. For example, try a concentrated formula for laundry like the Frankincense and Myrrh one from Madre Labs. It smells great and is formulated without unhealthy chemicals like phosphates, parabens (preservatives), phthalates, and chlorine, which are bad for the environment and our health. Recommended Product: Madre Labs 3X Highly Concentrated Laundry Detergent, Frankincense, and Myrrh
2. Use Reusable Bottles For Your Cleaning Solutions and Dish Soap to Reduce Plastic Use
Having a favorite glass bottle or jar for cleaning products like dish soap is a great way to reduce the use of plastic. Even sticking with one specific plastic bottle that you can use repeatedly can impact the environment. So how do you do this without buying more soap? You can start by making your cleaning products. But if you’re not quite there yet, the simplest option is to buy your cleaning solutions in bulk sizes and concentrated formulas meant for refilling to minimize waste. We love these O So Clean eco-friendly boxes of 3X concentrated dish and laundry soap in eco-friendly pouches from Madre Labs. Add the concentrated formula to a reusable bottle with 12 ounces of water, shake, and you’re ready.
You can buy a single pouch to try it out or a box of 6 to stock up, saving up to six plastic bottles. If you don’t have a reusable bottle, you can buy a set to get started. There! We love that there’s no more bulky plastic dish detergent to deal with or clutter up our counter or cabinet space. These formulas are also healthier and free of dyes, parabens, and phthalates. They’re also septic-safe and 100% cruelty-free!
