Lisa Grainger’s top tips for ditching toxic chemicals from your cleaning regime
Like most people: January is the time that we all ritualistically deep clean the house. If you haven’t yet been beguiled by the oddly satisfying #cleantok (that’s accumulated a staggering 30.3 billion views, yes, billion), now’s the time to cleanse the house.
Of course, we should be taking sustainability and the environment into consideration in far more of our actions these days – and the annual spring clean is no different. Lisa Grainger gives her top tips for a more eco-friendly spring clean.
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How to Give Your Home An Eco-Friendly Spring Clean
Delphis Eco
If you’re going to choose any product for climate purposes: Delphis Eco should be on the top of your list. It’s got a string of certifications: B Corp Certified (we interviewed the founder Mark Jankovich about it), the EU eco label, Terra Carta, the list goes on. And with good reason: It has reduced VOC fumes, its phosphate-free, and it’s the first 100% UK made recycled plastic bottle. Oh, and it’s also been a staple for the royal household for years. delphiseco.com
Make your own concoctions
Most cleaners are a combination of bicarb (to scrub, deodorise, remove stains and soften fabrics), citric acid (to remove stains and limescale), vinegar (for glass) and vegetable soap (for washing). British companies Dri-Pak and Fill sells all these natural basics, and dispense online recipes and advice, so you can concoct your own, safe in the knowledge that you know precisely what’s in them. dri-pak.co.uk; fillrefill.co
Choose refills
Rather than cluttering your cupboard with dozens of little plastic bottles – and worse still, aerosols – buy bulk-products whose packaging can be sent back to UK companies such as Delphis, Greenscents, Bower Collective, Faith in Nature, and Bio-D. Decant the liquids into a PET, glass or aluminium bottle from Fill or Ampulla and add home-designed labels. delphiseco.com; greenscents.co.uk; bowercollective.com; faithinnature.co.uk; biod.co.uk
Buy natural products that biodegrade
Many chemicals remain in the waterways for decades. So it’s important to buy natural products that biodegrade, and in an ideal world are cruelty- free, as well as free from chemicals, synthetics, palm oil and petroleum. Great British brands include Tincture, Kinn and Colt & Willow. Good labels to look out for? The Soil Association, Allergy UK, and the Leaping Bunny. tincturelondon.com; kinn-living.com; coltandwillow.com
Minimise the products you use
Only three liquids are essential to clean a home: a glass-cleaner, a grease-remover and a disinfectant. All of which the eco- friendly Koh makes in its mop bundle, alongside microfibre cloths, a (very cool) mop, diamond-dust scourers and two well- designed refillable atomisers. Everything is fragrance free – add your favourite essential oil if you like. koh.com
Look for B Corp registered brands
Still need some ideas for high-quality cleaning gear for an eco-friendly spring blitz? Registered pending B Corp, Spruce, has been dubbed ‘a beauty product for the home’ but its pretty packaging is backed up by sustainable credentials. The aluminium bottles are all refillable – and the non toxic refills are made up at home by mixing with tap water. It’s also vegan and cruelty-free, doesn’t use pesticides or artificial fragrances, and refills arrive in biodegradable paper packaging. wearespruce.co
Swap your cloths and sponges
Time to do away with J cloths – all of Seep’s cleaning products are compostible and plastic free making them a far better alternative to standard sponges, scouring pads and cleaning cloths. From its loofah cloths to the natural cellulose sponges, each item is designed to be long lasting, durable, machine-washable and made from renewable materials. theseepcompany.com
Subscribe and save (the planet)
Not only do Smol’s laundry detergent and dish washer capsules cost a fraction of the price versus competitor brands, but it’s also addressed it’s packaging to be more planet-friendly. The plastic-free laundry capsules are a world first, and it champions plastic free and recyclable packaging wherever possible. Plus, it’s subscription service saves you the hassle of having to go to the shops. smolproducts.com
Look for plant based solutions
Colt & Willow’s range of beautifully-scented sustainable home cleaning products are eco friendly, plant based, and bottled in refillable packaging with refills which come in recycled PET packaging. Choose from geranium leaf scented all purpose bathroom cleaner, rhubarb washing up liquid, rosemary, lemon & juniper bathroom cleaner and fig and cassis potty spray – or invest in the whole range. coltandwillow.com
Look for companies aiming at Net Zero
2007 founded Delphis Eco is a certified B corporation, 100 per cent made in the UK and committed to becoming Net Zero by 2030, so you know that it’s range of double Royal-warranted cleaning products mean business. Its products have a sustainable supply chain, are plant-based and phosphate free and never tested on animals. delphiseco.com
READ MORE
How to Clear Out Your Wardrobe Sustainably / The Guide to Sustainable Interior Design / The Guide to Sustainable Decorating
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