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When I first starting changing my habits for environmental reasons, I started with cleaning products. As I went through my cupboards, I found that I had separate cleaners for just about every task you can think of. Bathroom spray, shower spray, toilet cleaner, kitchen spray, stainless steel cleaner, wood floor cleaner, etc., etc., etc. At first I just switched to “greener” versions of these sprays so that I wouldn’t be subjecting my family to toxic ingredients. Then, when I started looking at the ingredients, I realized they were almost all the same, but marketed for different purposes. At the time I was spending nearly $50 per month on cleaning and home products through a subscription service, and it was being shipped monthly with each plastic bottle taped over the top to prevent leaking, and then swathed in plastic bubble wrap. Ugh!
I was not alone in my purchases. In fact, on average a household will spend about $500 per year on cleaning products. Then it hit me that a big jug of vinegar costs less than $5 and could last a good year. I made a commitment right then and there to simplify my cleaning routine. One ingredient, low cost, minimal plastic, and no yucky chemicals. I was sold. Of course, there are plenty of other low cost, non-toxic, household cleaners out there and you may have read about that yesterday in the article I linked to. But, I truly think to make this economical, low plastic, non-toxic, and easy, it is best to keep it simple at first. You can always add on as you see fit.
Today’s challenge: Get yourself a big jug of distilled white vinegar. Vinegar is a great degreaser, deodorizer, and disinfectant. If you don’t have any handy right now, then put it on your shopping list. If you are not a fan of vinegar smell, consider making infused vinegar. It is so simple. I keep a few mason jars around and after I juice a lemon or peel an orange I throw the peels in the jar and fill with the vinegar (see picture below). After it sits on your counter for about 2 weeks, it will have a more pleasant, citrus smell and is ready to strain and use. You can also try this with fresh thyme, rosemary, or pine boughs. Or add a few drops of your favorite essential oil scent.
For an all-purpose cleaner, you will dilute the vinegar 50:50 with water. For more potent cleaning, like toilets, go with straight vinegar. Take 5 minutes right now to fill some spray bottles half with vinegar and half with water and place under each bathroom sink and your kitchen sink. Also fill an empty toilet cleaner bottle with straight vinegar. Reusing old bottles is easiest, but you also can purchase glass bottles.
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