A Guide to Cleaning Cleaner this Spring

A Guide to Cleaning Cleaner this Spring

As we near the tail-end of a long and cold winter, the fast-approaching March 20 means spring is finally around the corner!

For me, that means I am pulling out my running shoes to go for a few sock-soaking puddle runs, and getting a head start on spring cleaning.

This year for spring cleaning, I looked for ways to reduce waste and use non-toxic cleaners with ingredients that are safe, effective, and affordable. I wanted to clean, cleaner (say that five times fast!). Many conventional cleaning products not only contain harsh chemicals and fragrances, (check out SWRC’s Household Hazardous Waste article) but also come in single-use plastic containers or aerosol spray cans that are often tossed away.

So, in my efforts to REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE and RESEARCH, I saved my empty hand soap dispenser, spray bottles, and dish soap containers and I went down the Google rabbit hole of home-made cleaners that were both effective in cleaning, and friendlier to the environment. Here is what I found:

Why Choose Non-Toxic Cleaners?

Traditional cleaning products often contain chemicals like ammonia, chlorine, and synthetic fragrances, which can irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory system. These substances can also end up in our waterways, negatively impacting our soil and aquatic life. Non-toxic alternatives protect our health, decrease pollution and reduce plastic waste.

Essential Ingredients for DIY Cleaners

In my research, I learned that you don’t need a cabinet full of specialty products to keep your home clean. A few common household ingredients can tackle nearly every cleaning task:

  • White Vinegar – a natural disinfectant that cuts through grease and removes odours.
  • Baking Soda – with its gritty texture, baking soda is excellent for scrubbing, deodorizing, and lifting stains.
  • Lemon Juice – has natural antibacterial properties and leaves a fresh scent.
  • Castile Soap – a gentle, yet powerful, all-purpose cleaner that is vegan, biodegradable, and scent free (source: https://davidsuzuki.org/living-green/how-to-use-castile-soap/)
  • Essential Oils – tea tree, lavender, and lemon oils add antibacterial properties and pleasant scents. These normally come in glass containers, which you can recycle at SARCAN

Simple DIY Cleaning Recipes

I found a few cleaning recipes that worked for me:

All-Purpose Cleaner:
Mix 250 mL white vinegar, 250 mL water, and 10-15 drops of essential oil in a spray bottle. This worked great for countertops, sinks, floors and especially the bathroom. I used a lemon essential oil that I already had and LOVE the smell!

Glass Cleaner:
Combine 500 mL water, 125 mL cup white vinegar, and 5 mL cornstarch in a spray bottle. I mixed this up in an old Windex bottle, which worked great because it already said glass cleaner on it, except it smelled WAY healthier and was just as effective.

Scrubbing Paste:
Mix baking soda with a small amount of water to create a paste. Use it to scrub sinks, tubs, and stubborn stains. I used this on my air fryer and found the light grittiness worked great.

Refillable Hand Soap Tablets:

I wanted to reuse my hand soap dispenser, rather than disposing of it, so I picked up a refillable hand soap tablet from The Refillery in Saskatoon. It was super easy to make -- I just mixed 350 mL of water with the tablet. I was especially excited because it advertised that it was unscented and didn’t use any dyes! (source: https://therefilleryyxe.com/products/nature-bee-refill-tablets)

Making the Switch

Overall, in my research, I learned that these non-toxic cleaning products not only worked great but also cut down on plastic waste and created a healthier home environment. Plus, they were budget-friendly and incredibly easy to make!

In making the switch to “cleaner cleaners,” I didn’t just throw out what I had in my cupboards, I replaced them with cleaner alternatives as they ran out. That way, I could re-use the bottles and was not needlessly disposing of cleaners I already had. It is important to me to always be conscious of weighing the alternatives of using what I already have and safely disposing or recycling products when needed. When we think of the 3R’s -- Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle -- it’s important to remember that the most important one is to reduce waste and reduce our impact on the environment.

At the Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council, we believe in small changes that lead to big impacts; that using Less truly can lead to More benefit! Choosing non-toxic cleaning products is a simple step toward a greener future. If you have some empty spray bottles kicking around, give these DIY recipes a try, and let’s keep our homes—and our planet—clean and healthy together!