Your sustainable cleaning guide

Working alongside our friends at The Village Refill, the've popped togther a handy guide to help you become more sustainable. Indoor air often contains more pollutants than outdoor air, largely from chemicals in cleaning products, especially when ventilation is poor. Even treated water can carry these chemicals into rivers, harming aquatic life. Sustainable cleaning uses non-toxic methods that protect the environment, skin, and respiratory health, while reducing waste and cost.

Switch to plastic free products

Use compostable cleaning tools, such as sponges and scrub brushes made from natural
materials that can be composted at end of life.

Simple replacements for common single-use items:

• Plastic bottles: Refillable glass bottles to pair with DIY cleaning products or refills.

• Microfibre clothes: Washable compostable clothes

• Synthetic sponges: Natural, plant-based sponge pads

• Dish brushes: Bamboo dish brushes with replaceable sisal heads

• Scourer pads: Coconut scourers for cleaning bathrooms, showers, and ovens.

• Paper towels: Bamboo reusable paper towels

• Mop heads: Washable mop head (avoid microfibre)

• Toilet brushes: Wooden toilet brushes with natural bristles

• Dust pan and brush: Wooden brush with natural bristles and a steel pan

Simple sustainable swaps

Look for brands that use post-consumer waste and minimal packaging to further decrease your bathroom’s environmental impact.

• Choose non-toxic products - Look for natural plant-based cleaning products or better adopt ‘green cleaning’ with a few household ingredients (see below). Not only are they better for the environment, but they can also be gentler on the skin and respiratory systems.
• Refill and ditch the plastic altogether and go to your local refill shop like ours, where you can take a reusable container and fill it up with non-toxic cleaning essentials and detergents. Always label and store your cleaning products to prevent accidental mixupsor spills.
• DIY Green Cleaning - Affordable and effective, and versatile, natural cleaning products are an eco-friendly choice with fewer toxins and less waste than store-bought options. Always label and store your cleaning products to prevent accidental mix-ups or spills. With just a few ingredients you can start making small swaps:
  • Bicarbonate of soda absorbs odours and removes stains, mould, and grease. Sprinkle it on the sofa, leave overnight before vacuuming for freshness, or mix with water to gently clean worktops and hobs.
  • Cleaning Vinegar is a natural disinfectant that dissolves dirt and grime. Combine water and vinegar to create an effective natural cleaning solution suitable for windows, stainless steel pans, grout, and refrigerator interiors. Avoid using it on natural stone surfaces.
  • Castile Soap is a natural vegetable -based soap that can be used for various cleaning tasks that’s gentle enough to clean your dog!
  • Citric acid has incredibly effective descaling properties. Great for removing limescale as well as descaling your kettle, dishwasher and washing machine.
  • Lemon is a natural disinfectant and deodoriser that can help cut through grease and remove stains. Make an all-purpose cleaner with lemon juice in a spray bottle topped up with water. Create a paste with lemon juice and bicarbonate of soda for cleaning cutting boards and countertops.
  • Use natural fragrances. As an alternative to synthetic fragrances in cleaning products. Popular essential oils with cleaning properties include lemon, tea tree (for its antibacterial properties) and eucalyptus.Natural Bleach (sodium percarbonate), also called ‘green bleach’, is a natural cleaner used to disinfect, remove stains, and whiten surfaces.
  • Freshen your home naturally - In the warmer months, simply open the windows to air your home. Burn naturally scented plant-based candles/wax melts or use essential oils in a diffuser or nebuliser.

Tip: Make your own air freshener spray by combining two tablespoons of witch hazel with three-quarters of a cup of water. Add 20 drops of essential oil, using either a single scent or a blend. Transfer to a spray bottle, shake well, and spray!

Simple practices

Do your research. There are many brands that try to persuade you that they are doing more to protect the environment than they really are – this is referred to as ‘greenwashing’. Here at the Village Refill we have done the research for you. Less is more Stick to just a few essential multi-use cleaning products.

Use what you have until they can’t be used anymore and replace with a product made from natural materials that can be broken down and composted at the end of its life. 

DIY Cleaning solutions Invest in a good book with cleaning recipes such as Green and Clean by Nancy Birtwhistle.

Dry or Steam Cleaning Dry cleaning uses pads or sponges to lift dirt, while steam cleaning relies on hot water and steam to loosen and remove grime. Both methods are effective and chemical-free.

Houseplants - buy locally grown houseplants, they clean the air with their natural air-purifying properties and look good too!

Recycle and reuse

It’s important to use what you already have (e.g. that plastic broom) until it can’t be used or repaired anymore. Then invest in a replacement made from natural materials that can be broken down at the end of its life. 

Buy products with recyclable packaging, rinse all containers to ensure there’s no product left inside and remove lids, small parts and pumps. If your cleaning appliance can't be repaired, recycle it responsibly. Some retailers accept old appliances for recycling, or you can take them to your local recycling centre.

Repurpose and reuse containers you already have by refilling them at your local zero waste shop.

Repurpose old towels, sheets, or clothes by turning them into cleaning cloths. 

Reuse old dish brushes, unpaper towels, and bamboo toothbrushes as cleaning tools.

Transitioning to zero-waste cleaning products 

Transitioning to zero-waste cleaning is a gradual process; small, consistent changes make the biggest difference. Every step towards sustainable cleaning contributes to a healthier home and environment.