Photo Courtesy of Volha Flaxeco Venczák on Unsplash

Keeping a clean home can be extremely difficult. Dust comes from nowhere, the bathroom always seems to be dirty, and mirrors are never seen without a water stain or streaks. To combat the dirt and grime of everyday life we often resort to harsh chemicals and non-reusable wipes and sponges. Though these chemicals may get the job done, they can be harmful to the environment as well as ourselves. To keep an eco-friendly cabinet of cleaning supplies this summer, here are some simple swaps you can make that are super easy, cheap, and effective!

1. Use Old T-Shirts or Microfiber Cloths

Using paper towels to clean the bathroom can waste nearly half a roll. Microfiber cloths are a great alternative and can be found almost anywhere. But make sure to buy a big pack so that you don’t have to wash the same cloth every day! Another alternative is to use an old T-Shirt. Simply cut up the shirt to a cloth the size of your liking and use that as you would use any paper towel!

2. Buy Reusable Spray Bottles and Cleaning Concentration

When most people run out of cleaning spray, they throw out the plastic bottle and buy another at the store. But most spray bottles are reusable! You can go online and buy concentrated cleaning solutions for floors, windows, multi-purpose, etc., and mix that with water in a spray bottle to make your own cleaning solution. If you are feeling super motivated, you could even make your own solution from scratch using vinegar!

3. Use Wool Dryer Balls

Dryer sheets go very fast. There are dryer balls made from wool you can buy online that replace dryer sheets and do not need to be replaced themselves. Dryer sheets are a single-use item and can be very wasteful. Until I found out about wool dryer balls, I was guilty of using two to three sheets per load of laundry. But not anymore! Gone are the days of buying packs of dryer sheets. Just keep these in your dryer, throw your clothes in, and bam! You’re good to go.

4. Baking Soda, Dishwashing Liquid, and Water

This magical combination is a super-easy way to cut through toilet and shower stains without the use of toxic chemicals. I would recommend getting a small bucket and creating the mixture with warm water first, then using your microfiber cloths and brute force to scrub away those stubborn spots in your bathroom, without any use of bleach.

5. Essential Oils

Yes, essential oils can be great for cleaning, but what they are also great for is once you are done cleaning and want your home to smell nice and fresh. Most fragrance sprays have harsh chemicals in them, and most candles contain chemicals that are released into the home when burned. Essential oils are a great alternative to make your home smell nice and feel clean.

Mackenzie Eaton is a senior Honors student at Sacred Heart University, expected to graduate with her BA in English and Minor in Marketing. She plans to pursue a Master's degree in English after graduating in May 2022.