Sustainable Cleaning Guide

Is your 'clean' home actually toxic?

We often scrub, spray and wipe our homes to protect our health, yet modern cleaning practices present a strange paradox. While we've successfully reduced infectious diseases through sanitation, the complex chemicals we use to achieve that have introduced a new set of risks.

Recent research shows that indoor concentrations of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are consistently up to ten times higher than outdoor levels. These compounds come from the very products we use to keep our homes clean. If you are looking to lower your carbon footprint and improve your home's health, rethinking your cleaning routine is one of the most impactful steps you can take. Here is how to navigate the transition to sustainable cleaning without compromising on hygiene.

The invisible issue: Indoor air quality

The "clean smell" many of us associate with hygiene - often a mix of pine, lemon, and bleach - is frequently the scent of chemicals off-gassing into our living spaces. Many conventional cleaners release VOCs that can cause immediate symptoms like headaches and eye irritation, as well as long-term health issues.

Common ingredients like methylene chloride (found in heavy-duty degreasers) and benzene are significant pollutants.

Actionable step: Switch to fragrance-free options and open windows while cleaning where possible.

The refill revolution: Stop shipping water

One of the easiest wins for your carbon footprint is changing how you buy your cleaner. Traditional liquid cleaning products are often composed of up to 90% water. This means we are shipping heavy, diluted products globally, which uses unnecessary fuel and generates greenhouse gas emissions throughout the transportation process.

Using refillable products solves this by shipping active ingredients in concentrated forms like tablets, powders or sheets that you can mix with tap water at home.

• Carbon savings: Concentrated tablet refills can result in 91% fewer transportation emissions per year compared to liquid products.

• Plastic reduction: Choosing refills instead of new bottles reduces total emissions by approximately 70% due to decreased manufacturing energy.

• Cost efficiency: The great news here is that it can also be significantly cheaper for you!

Master the chemistry: Why your DIY hacks might be failing

You might be ahead of the curve and already be someone who prefers to make your own cleaning products at home with more natural ingredients. Well done if so! If you fancy going down the DIY route, it can be helpful to understand a little of the science. Social media is full of "green hacks" that look impressive but they don't always live up to their promises. Here's some common issues and suggested fixes:

The neutralisation trap

A common trick is mixing vinegar (an acid) with baking soda (a base). While the fizzing reaction looks effective, it simply neutralises both ingredients. The result is essentially salt water (sodium acetate), which lacks the grease-cutting power of vinegar or the abrasive power of baking soda.

The Fix: Use them separately. Scrub with baking soda first, then rinse with vinegar. We then recommend rinsing again with water as the vinegary smell can be a bit much!

The curdling mistake

Another error is mixing a natural soap directly with vinegar. The acid "unsaponifies" the soap, turning it back into oil. This creates a curdled, oily mess that leaves a film on surfaces rather than cleaning them.

The Fix: Similar to above, separate them out. Use a soap-based cleaner first to remove dirt, wipe off any residue and then use a vinegar solution to shine surfaces and remove mineral deposits.

Ditch the plastic tools

It is not just the liquid that matters; it is what you scrub with. Conventional yellow and green sponges are typically made of polyurethane or polyester. As you scrub, these shed millions of microplastic fibres that are too small for wastewater treatment plants to catch, eventually ending up in our oceans.

Fortunately, nature provides excellent alternatives that are 100% compostable:

• Natural loofah: Derived from dried gourds, these are abrasive enough for scrubbing but safe for cookware.

• Coconut coir: Made from coconut husks, these are durable and tough on grease.

• Cellulose sponges: Made from wood pulp, these are highly absorbent and biodegradable.

How to spot greenwashing

As demand for eco-friendly products grows, so does "greenwashing" - marketing that makes products appear more sustainable than they are. Terms like "natural" or "eco-friendly" have no legal definition and are often used to mislead consumers.

To ensure you are buying truly sustainable products, look for independent, third-party certifications rather than vague marketing buzzwords.

A cleaner future starts at home

Transitioning to sustainable cleaning doesn't require an overnight overhaul of your entire utility cupboard. It starts with informed choices: swapping a plastic bottle for a refill tablet, choosing a loofah over a synthetic sponge or simply opening a window to let fresh air in.