Changing our habits – even in a small way – can have a great impact on our fight against climate change and rising plastic pollution. One way of doing this can be with our cleaning products, where there is a range of opportunities for better practice. As the technology develops and investment increases, sustainable products are becoming more affordable, so these small changes won’t cost the earth. Hopefully this blog will give you some ideas for the individual efforts you can do at home to help our world.
Bio-d
One brand we stock here in Good Taste, and is sold in other sustainably driven shops in Sheffield, is Bio-d. The company offers cleaning products that are: pet-friendly, cruelty-free, vegan, suitable for septic tanks, non-toxic, hypoallergenic and free from chemicals, phosphates, preservatives and synthetic perfumes. Also, all products are made in the UK using sustainable and naturally derived raw materials, and the packaging is 100% recyclable. In addition, Bio-d sell large refills which not only reduce plastic waste, but provide a cost effective method in the long term. What’s not to love?
Some of my favourite items include:
Sanitising Handwash
After bringing this home to my parents last year, they instantly became hooked by the delicious smell, and during the first lockdown, it was the only hand soap which didn’t dry out our hands.
Concentrated Washing-up Liquid (Pink Grapefruit)
This is another incredibly scented product that works extremely well to remove stains and food from dishware. With a similar price tag to the leading non-sustainable alternatives, in my opinion, the washing-up liquid beats the alternative in every other aspect. I would definitely recommend you try it out.
Laundry Bleach
For just a small price, this item keeps your whites light and colours bright whilst removing stains and odours in up to 27 washes. It does a wonderful job at this, with some reviews noting it’s the ‘best’ laundry bleach they’ve ever used and that it’s a ‘cupboard essential’.
Fabric Conditioner
This is one Bio-d’s bestsellers as it comes in fragrance-free or two delectable scents (lavender and juniper) which all are safe for sensitive skin and effectively leave clothes soft and protected. Try this in unison with the non-bio Laundry Liquid for an eco-friendly alternative to the usual method by avoiding non-recyclable plastic wrapping.
Ecoegg
On the other hand, if you aren’t a fan of liquid laundry products, perhaps try out the ‘ecoegg’.
At £9.99, the ecoegg Laundry Egg is cost-effective and eco-friendly replacement for laundry detergent and fabric conditioner for 70 washes. In addition, the egg can be refilled which only costs 10p per wash, and the company provides a 10-year warranty for the refillable egg. Each year of use, you can save up to 40 bottles of plastic if you switch to the ecoegg too, reducing your single-use plastic consumption significantly.
The egg uses natural mineral pellets which activate in water to remove dirt in clothing. The process leaves no mess and uses no plastic or chemicals. It can also be used in cold or warm washes (upto 60 celsius), and the egg is suitable for handwash. The egg is cruelty free and vegan, and comes in three fragrances: fragrance free, fresh linen and spring blossom; so it really is suitable for anyone.
The ecoegg Laundry Egg has been awarded the Good Housekeeping Institute’s ‘Getting Greener’ accreditation in 2020, and the item has been tested against sensitive skin which found that the ecoegg is dermatologically ‘excellent’ according to Allergy UK.
I recently bought the egg to try out on my tea towels and it worked wonderfully. I really enjoy the switch to the ecoegg, because you already know you’re making a small difference when you no longer have to pick out a plastic pod from a plastic container. It also works out cheaper than when I normally buy pods and fabric conditioner separately.
The company also offers an egg-shaped drying ball which reduces tumble drying time by upto 28%.
From £9.99
Ocean Saver
Another brand that is available online and in certain Tesco stores is Ocean Saver.
This offers concentrated ‘EcoDrop’s which are plastic-free, non-toxic and zero waste alternatives to buying individual spray bottles. Different EcoDrops can be bought for a range of cleaning activities such as: bathroom descaling, floor cleaner, anti-bac cleaning, glass cleaning, kitchen degreasing, and more. You simply mix the EcoDrops with water in a 750ml spray bottle – this can be your own one which you recently used up, or with their ‘bottle for life’ product (for £2). Best yet, if you enjoy the product, you can sign up to a subscription which sends 5 different EcoDrops every 1-8 weeks, or you can buy certain items in bulk, so you save money.
The message of Ocean Saver has never been more important, with estimates suggesting there will be more plastic than fish in our oceans by 2050. The company is providing an honest and affordable solution to our plastic problem.
Cleaning Tools
There is an abundance of sustainable, eco-driven cleaning tools out there, including Traidcraft’s Rubber Gloves which we sell here at Good Taste. The gloves are made from natural rubber harvested in Sri Lanka with cotton flock lining which protects your skin from detergents and hot temperatures. Traidcraft are pioneers of fair trade, and their products offer an affordable alternative to the norm, which positively impact those that produce the materials in the global South especially.
Another great company is Eco Living.
One Eco Living item includes the compostable sponge which is made in the UK from plant cellulose so it does not emit microplastics when it breaks down. The sponge is plastic-free, vegan, and extremely durable. In addition, the sponge cleaning cloths are 100% plastic-free and made of renewable resources so you are able to compost the cloth when you’re done with it. The cloths are dishwasher and washing machine safe and have lovely patterns which are water based.
This blog post was written by Olivia Davidson