This post may contain affiliate links. Check out my disclosure page for more info.
This may sound like something only Monica Geller from Friends would say, but I LOVE zero-waste cleaning products! I’ve said it before, but one of the best things about going zero-waste is how minimalist and beautiful everything is. From the wood and natural fibers of a scrub brush to the durability of shiny copper or steel utensils, zero-waste essentials are timeless and beautiful. And the cleaning products are no exception!
No more throwing away tons of disposable dusting or mopping pads and no more under-sink space filled with 15 different kinds of spray bottles. Now whenever I go to the store, I don’t even need to pass through the cleaning aisle heavily perfumed with endocrine-disrupting scents like “Orchid breeze” or “Caribbean tides” (honestly, WTH is that?).
I may not be as neurotic as Monica but just like her, I LOVE (and take pride in) a clean house. So what are you supposed to do if you want to avoid all of the nasty chemicals, reduce your waste, and still have a nice clean house?
The solution is zero-waste cleaning products made by YOU.
You’ll know exactly what goes in them, you can customize it, and you don’t need a million different products. Just the essentials!
The great part about stocking up on these essentials is that they can be combined to make practically any kind of cleaning product.
Stock up on these ingredients and cleaning tools and check out the cleaning combos below!
Ingredients
- Washing Soda
- White vinegar
- Borax
- Sal Suds
- Vodka
- Citric acid
- Salt
- Castile soap
All of these ingredients can be found package free in bulk sections OR packaged in recyclable containers in bulk amounts.
Tools
Rags: You can use old towels from a thrift store, an old cut up shirt, holey socks, and more. These are cleaning rags – you definitely don’t need anything new and fancy to get the job done!
Scrub brush: Most scrub brushes today are made entirely of plastic. Whether you are scrubbing pans or a dirty sink, look for a scrub brush made of compostable materials like wood, or tampico fibers. This is one of my favorites!
Paperless towels: If you’re ready to go paperless in the kitchen – these are great for light cleaning or for kitchen use but I would save the heavy cleaning for rags.
Compostable sponge: Most sponges are, you guessed it, made from plastic! Use a plant-based sponge or try a knit natural fiber scrubby (like hemp)!
Straw brush: If you avoid plastic straws like the plague but still use a stainless steel straw – you need a cleaning brush! Just think about the bits of blueberry from your morning smoothie that can get stuck in your straw. Nothing cleans the hard-to-reach places of a straw like a brush!
Bottlebrush: For all of your many jars, glass bottles, and stainless steel water bottles, a bottle brush is SO helpful. Just like a straw brush, it is designed exactly for the job.
Broom and dustpan: It’s simple to replace your plastic broom (or vacuum) with a wood and natural fiber broom and a metal dustpan. It’s a zero-waste, zero-energy floor cleaning solution!
Recipes
I take a very informal approach to create cleaning supplies because I know I can always make (and clean) anything I need with these essentials. This is my super informal cheat sheet for cleaning recipes!
Glass cleaner= Vodka + Water
All-Purpose Cleaner= Vinegar + Water
Laundry Detergent= Castile soap (flakes) + Washing Soda+ Borax
Dishwashing Detergent= Salt + Washing Soda + Citric Acid
Super-Scum Tub Scrub= Sal suds + Borax
Dish soap= Sal suds + Water
Toilet scrub= Borax + Washing Soda + Citric Acid
Floor Cleaner = Vinegar + Water
I just mix these up as I need them and then add in whatever essential oils I feel like. Lemon and sweet orange if I want something super bright and uplifting. Or maybe tea tree, lavender, and eucalyptus for something more herbal.
If you want more detailed recipes, one of my favorite books with recipes for tons of cleaning supplies (and personal care products, seasonal foods, etc.) is The Hands on Home by Erica Strauss.
