How To Make Your Cleaning Routine More Eco-Friendly

As we are all spending an increasing amount of time at home, household cleaning has been brought under the microscope. As noted by The Good Trade, people are more conscious about the products that they're using in their homes, which is where a greener approach to cleaning comes in. As per Pebble, choosing to swap to an eco-friendly cleaning routine which incorporates eco-products is one of the easiest ways to step towards a more conscious lifestyle.

Recently, there has been a significant rise in the number of people choosing to switch to green cleaning methods for their homes. Instead of using products packed full of chemicals, an increasing number of people are choosing to use greener products and more traditional cleaning methods.

NBC News reported that Nancy Simcox, an assistant professor at the University of Washington, said that, "Cleaning has gone through a revolution – cleaning products and chemicals can be vetted now and there's a scientific basis to that vetting." 

According to Pebble, there are a number of eco-friendly clean brands that you can now order online or buy from the supermarket, making greener cleaning more easily accessible.

When it comes to eco-cleaning, two of the most commonly asked questions are: What makes a product "green" and do natural products actually work?

As per NBC News, it's not always easy to determine which products are actually eco-friendly, despite what their labels may claim. The issue is that there isn't a predetermined criteria for what makes a product eco-friendly, which can make choosing greener cleaning options a little tricky.

According to Pebble, a product is considered "green" if it is non-toxic, contains ingredients that are biodegradable, avoids single-use plastic, is refillable, and is vegan and cruelty-free. Having packaging that is recyclable is another crucial factor when it comes to what makes a cleaning product sustainable and eco-conscious. Of course, it's also important to remember that not every brand will match this exact criteria.

In terms of cleaning power, there's no reason to believe that eco-conscious products offer reduced effectiveness. Good Housekeeping reported that according to their research, modern eco-cleaning products work just as well as their synthetic counterparts.

When it comes to building a cleaning routine that's more earth conscious, knowing where to start can feel a little overwhelming. As per Real Simple, it doesn't have to be a complex process, it's just a case of making a few small changes.

A good first step is taking the time to check the labels on cleaning products and the ingredients in them. Any products that boast a "Green Seal" or an "ECOLOGO" are guaranteed to be eco-friendly, according to Real Simple. If you want to boost how sustainable your cleaning routine is, you need to "ditch the disposables" and swap to refillable and reusable products. Swap single-use wipes for reusable cleaning pads. You might even want to consider making your own cleaning solutions so you know what's in them.

And lastly, wherever possible, opt for fragrance-free cleaning products. Scented cleaning products normally use synthetic chemicals which not only harm the environment, but can also impact your health.