This month we’re focusing on the medicine cabinet and ways to make it, what’s in it and things around it more eco-friendly. Of course, the medicine cabinet lives inside of your bathroom, so that gives us a little bit of room to talk about the bathroom!
We all love clean bathrooms. In fact, we might go as far as to say that we all crave clean bathrooms. That means that sometimes we make choices about how we clean our bathrooms and what we use to clean our bathrooms that aren’t necessarily the best choices for the planet. Today, we’re tackling five tips on how to keep your bathroom clean without making the planet dirtier.
Challenge Your Definition of Clean!
We are certainly under no circumstances suggesting that your bathroom shouldn’t be clean. However, the truth is that many of us have had an idea of clean pounded into our brain that isn’t necessarily true – or even healthy. Because generations before us believed that a bathroom was only clean if it had been scrubbed for hours with bleach and Clorox, many of us have the same perception. The reality is that that’s not entirely true. In fact, studies now show that you may want to consider not using most cleaning products that are made from toxic chemicals. But to get to that point, you’ll need to get over the idea that organic and natural cleaning products “Just don’t leave things as clean.” In fact, the products that we associate with bathroom cleaning may just leave your bathroom dirty in a different (and more dangerous) kind of way.
Eco-Friendly Cleaners, Vinegar and Baking Soda!
So what should you use when you clean your bathroom? Certainly buying toxin-free, eco-friendly cleaners is a great start. Of course, as with all products, be sure that you do your research first so that you know that you’re actually buying quality products that meet your standards and not being green-washed. If you want to make your own cleaners, there are great recipes and options to make just about everything that you need using our old favorites, baking soda and vinegar. In fact, we’ve got some great recipes right here on Postconsumers.com.
Recycle, Recycle, Recycle
If you’re buying store-bought cleaning products, then they’re most likely coming in plastic bottles (even if they are eco-friendly). That means that one of the most important things that you can do is to make sure that you recycle those bottles when you’re done. Yes, that means the caps too (we have tips on how to do that). It seems like such a simple thing, but the reality is that so many people just overlook the need to recycle bottles.
What’s Better to Clean With?
We’re not going to try to answer the age-old debate of what’s a more eco-friendly cleaning aid – using cloth rags that you then need to expend water and energy to wash or using paper towels made from postconsumer materials that required energy and packaging to be sold to you. All we’re going to ask is that you take the time to really think about what path you’re most comfortable with and then choose wisey and with purpose behind your choice!
Water, Water Everywhere
In the bathroom, there’s water, water everywhere. But that doesn’t mean that you should use it in unlimited amounts when you clean. Don’t leave taps running when you clean and also rinse things off but don’t keep rinsing them off forever (you know the type!). You need water to clean, but be wary of how much water you need to clean!
Did we miss a tip for eco-friendly bathroom cleaning? Share it with us. Comment below or tell us about it on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or Instagram.
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