The ongoing climate crisis is impacting everyone in the world. It’s crucial to incorporate habits into our daily lives more than ever before. For homes looking to reduce their environmental impact, the cleaning process provides a valuable opportunity to make eco-friendly changes. As more households in South Africa and beyond become aware of the importance of climate action, small changes in daily routines can collectively lead to a significant reduction in our carbon footprint.
Here are a few suggestions on how to simply integrate sustainability into your daily routines.
Reducing water use
The Department of Water and Sanitation in South Africa has indicated that South Africa is a water-scarce country and rated the 30th driest in the world. Households can cut back on water usage by being mindful and making adjustments while cleaning parts of the home that typically require a lot of water.
- Before mopping it’s an idea to sweep the floors and wipe down surfaces to minimise the water usage.
- To prevent overuse and water waste when cleaning surfaces try using a spray bottle to apply cleaning solutions to avoid excessive use by pouring straight from the bottle.
- Remember to fill up your washing machines or dishwashers with a load each time you run them to save water and electricity.
Use eco cleaning products
Make use of non-toxic, biodegradable cleaning products that are gentle on both surfaces and the environment. The usual cleaning detergents often contain harsh chemicals such as ammonia, phosphates and chlorine, which can pollute water systems and harm wildlife.
- Consider using eco cleaning alternatives, like vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice which are equally efficient, for cleaning surfaces without harming the environment.
- If you prefer to purchase cleaning items, for your home maintenance needs consider selecting products that are marked as eco-friendly or biodegradable.
Sustainable cleaning equipment
Switch from using cleaning tools made of plastic like one time use wipes and disposable scrubbers which add to waste in landfills and decompose slowly. Rather opt for lasting cleaning equipment made from eco-friendly materials that can be used multiple times.
- Use microfibre cloths or paper towels as they are efficient for dusting and cleaning. Can be recycled and used repeatedly.
- Choose cleaning equipment that has wooden handles as they tend to be sturdier and are made from recycled material as opposed to plastic alternatives.
- Swap out single-use mop pads with ones that you can wash and reuse.
When investing in higher-quality, long-lasting cleaning tools, you not only reduce waste but also save money in the long run.
Recycle and reuse
It’s important to emphasise recycling in households, not just with waste but also when replacing old cleaning tools and products.
- Set up containers for recycling materials such as paper, plastic, glass and metal at home to encourage everyone at home to get involved in recycling initiatives.
- When replacing your cleaning tools and equipment make sure you recycle or donate the items that are still in a good condition.
- Encourage SweepStars, friends and family to join recycling initiatives in their neighbourhoods to reduce waste going to landfills.
Support sustainable brands
Sweepsouth promotes the importance of backing brands that focus on sustainability, in all aspects of their operations from manufacturing processes to packaging.
- Consider looking for businesses that use packaging that can be recycled or offer refill options and follow eco manufacturing processes to reduce their carbon footprint.
- Supporting businesses that align with your environmental values helps create a larger impact in the fight against climate change.
With the increased awareness of climate action, among homes in South Africa and beyond comes the realisation that simple adjustments such as embracing eco-friendly cleaning routines can contribute to a decline in our carbon footprint collectively. Sweepsouth not only offers dependable and expert cleaning solutions but also encourages sustainable cleaning practices that bring advantages to homes and the environment.
ALSO SEE: ECO-FRIENDLY CLEANING PRACTICES
