I covered ways to reduce plastics when shopping for groceries last time.
Now, let me share more sustainable tips for cleaning!
1. Homemade Glass Cleaner
I've shared this recipe a couple of times on my Instagram, and this has been my absolute favorite cleaning formula!
It works really well (better than Windex in my opinion) and makes cleaning more enjoyable☺️
You can reuse the lemon peel so it helps to reduce waste too!🙆♀️
If you're not a fan of vinegary smell, add a bit more herbs and essential oils to cancel that out.
Although this recipe calls for just lemon, other citrus fruits such as lime or calamansi might work as well :)
Ingredients:
・Lemon peel: 1 - 2
・White vinegar: 1 part
・Water: 1 part
・Optional: Herbs (recommended: mint, lavender, thyme, rosemary)
Instructions:
Place lemon peels to a empty glass jar with lid
Fill the jar with equal parts of vinegar and water
Add herbs of your choice to the jar and stir
Keep in the fridge for a week
Transfer to a spray bottle and start cleaning!
We reuse a pasta sauce jar to store the mixture, but you can use any kind of glass containers.
I avoid using plastic containers as orders tend to stick to the material, and that makes it harder to use the container again.
I didn't like the strong smell of store-bought solutions/glass cleaners, and I feel like vinegar is much more tolerable than chemically smells😅
There is no harmful ingredients in this homemade cleaner so you don't have to worry about inhaling toxins.
Here's the before & after↓
You can see this really works!
Let me know if you give it a try at home :)
2. Knitted Sponges
We have been making & using knitted sponges made from acrylic yarns, and they have saved us so much packaging and plastic waste.
They work just as well as the regular sponges, and it doesn't require that much dish soap too.
It can be used not only for dishes but also for faucet, bath tub, tiles, and pretty much anywhere.
You can find the yarn at craft shops, but if you don't have the time to make the sponges, I found a vendor that sells them online.
If you decide to make them on your own, those are also cheaper than the regular sponges.
3. DIY Room Spray
I filmed my first Instagram Reels on this too (though it was not a good quality😂)
The best part about this is that you can create your own scent.
I am reusing a spray bottle from facial toner, but you can also purchase them if you don't have any bottles at home.
Tinted bottles work well when storing scented formula so the scent won't fade when exposed to the light.
Try to find a glass bottle so you can wash/sterilize after and reuse them again :)
I like to make a couple of different spays and use them for different occasions/moods.
Ingredients (4oz bottle):
・Witch hazel: 1 part
・Filtered water: 1 part
・Essential oils of your choice: 30 drops
Instructions:
Pour equal parts of witch hazel and filtered water to the spray bottle
Add essential oils and shake well
Recommended scents:
Relaxation: lavender, bergamot
Refresh: peppermint, tea tree, and eucalyptus
Motivation: sweet orange, lemongrass
These DIY recipes and ideas are so easy yet have so much positive impacts on the environment!
It the small changes that will make a big difference in the world :)
Things we can do as individuals might be limited, but it would turn into a larger force if we can come together to achieve the mutual goal, the sustainable living.
Please feel free to leave a comment or shoot me a message for any thoughts or questions!
Don't forget to follow me @hinainhawaii for updates and more tips on eco-friendly lifestyle.