Most of us are pretty good when it comes to environmentally friendly cleaning products. We read the labels and we try not to use products that contain toxins. But, how many of us use eco friendly cleaning tools? Here are eleven eco friendly cleaning tools that you can begin using right away.
1. Microfiber Cloths
I started using these a few months ago and my husband uses these to wash our cars. They are super-absorbent, densely woven cloths. You can wash them and use them over and over. They come in many different textures and colors. But, if you wash them in the washing machine, make sure that you don't put them in the dryer with a dryer sheet or use fabric softener as this makes them less absorbent.
2. Cellulose Cloths
You can use cellulose cloths in place of paper towels. These cloths are made from recycled newspapers that are specially treated.
3. Bamboo Scrub Brushes
I bet you never heard of these. Bamboo grows so fast that it is a great choice for a natural material. Scrub brushes made from bamboo are water-resistant and many of them have plant-based bristles.
4. Mops
Get rid of your old mop and get yourself a steam mop. These eco friendly mops use steam and not chemicals to really clean deep. You can also get steam cleaning mops for hardwood floors. Another good choice is a mop with a bamboo handle and a microfiber head.
5. Brooms
Have you ever seen a broom with a bamboo handle? These brooms are very durable and renewable. Some of these brooms come with plant-based fibers or recycle plastic bristles. You can even get brooms that are made from corn fibers.
6. Buckets
When looking for eco friendly buckets, choose the ones made from recycled aluminum or recycled plastic bottles.
7. Mold Scrubbers
When cleaning mold and mildew in your bathroom, the first thing that we choose is bleach or a harsh chemical. Try cleaning blocks made from woven nylon instead to remove these tough stains.
8. Sanitizing Light Wands
This is something that you probably have never heard of, a sanitizing light wand. These wands use ultraviolet light to kill germs. You can use them on anything and in every room in your home and you can even take them when you travel. You will never have to use the harsh chemicals again.
9. Squeegees
This is a great cleaning tool. I use one in my shower every morning. When you squeegee the tile or the plastic surface of the shower, you get rid of the water that causes most of the mold and mildew problems in your bathroom. You can clean with just water if you use a squeegee to get rid of the water. Try this - I never have mold or mildew in my shower.
10. Biodegradable Plastic Bags
If you use plastic bags for trash, use the ones that are biodegradable. That way when you throw them out, they don't last that long in the landfill.
11. Laundry Umbrella or Laundry Tree
Instead of drying everything in the dryer, get yourself a laundry umbrella or laundry tree. It is much more compact than stringing up a clothes line and you can save a lot of money on some of your clothes that really don't need to be dried in the dryer.
Hope you enjoyed this article and if you can think of more ways to save money and be eco friendly with your cleaning tools, send me your comments.
