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Almost all environmental principles are reduced to two commandments: “Less litter and consume less.” These rules can not only significantly affect the environment, but also help build a rational and useful cleaning system at home.
They say that habits are formed in 21 days, but if they are aimed at improving life and are easily applied in everyday life, then everything will go even faster. Learn how to make cleaning your home pleasant and healthy for the environment.
1. Add steam to cleaning and use a reusable vacuum cleaner bag
Ideal vacuum cleaners can be called professional devices with a filtration system that absorbs up to 99,97% of household dust, small organisms and pollen. If conditions allow, then you can periodically resort to the services of professional eco-cleaning. Employees of such companies usually also process with steam cleaners: this method is economical, efficient and convenient for cleaning. By the way, the steam cleaner can be filled not only with water, but also add some environmentally friendly cleaning agents.
Many modern vacuum cleaners are made with a plastic compartment in which dust accumulates. It is convenient to clean and wash them after cleaning the room, emptying them like a regular bowl. If your vacuum cleaner is designed to work with bags, then reusable containers are the perfect solution for those who care about the environment and minimize waste.
2. Dispose of food waste
The electric dispenser in the sink is an ingenious invention that helps to dispose of food waste and reduce the burden on the “garbage industry”. This method of disposal saves time when collecting waste separately and is perfect for residents of large cities with non-autonomous sewerage systems, but significantly increases water consumption.
Composting with aerobic fermentation remains the most efficient and sustainable disposal method. At home, electric composters that recycle organic matter and EM containers in the form of a waste bin with a drainage system come to the rescue.
Interesting fact:About 29% of the average human waste basket is food waste: for example, in the form of eggshells, peels of vegetables and fruits and various leftovers. Every second, 3,8 kg of such garbage appears in the world, which is also important to dispose of correctly.
3. Choose Safe Home Cleansing Chemicals
Not all products contain aggressive surfactants. More and more manufacturers are striving for environmentally friendly products that will not harm health and the environment. For example, a ruler Henkel, which includes Pril, Clin, Bref, Pemolux and Somat, are sustainable home cleaning products in recycled packaging. All products * up to 99% consist of ingredients of natural origin and meet high environmental standards, which is confirmed by independent environmental certificates (EU Ecolabel and Leaf of Life).
When choosing household chemicals, it is important to pay attention to the composition. It is best to choose products without fragrances and dyes to minimize the risk of allergic reactions. The absence of phosphates is also a plus. Surfactants based on herbal ingredients work well for washing powders and dishwashing detergents: for example, based on natural palm and coconut oils, and for cleaning surfaces in the bathroom and in the kitchen does not contain chlorine, but at the same time effectively cleans due to a soft abrasive in the form of ground marble.
4. Wear gloves and open windows
When working with household chemicals, be sure to use personal protective equipment. If a mask is not always necessary, then hand protection is indispensable. Your best bet is to buy thick rubber dishwashing gloves that will last a long time. When cleaning, open windows to ventilate the room so as not to breathe in detergents and quickly clear the air of accumulated bacteria and dust.
Interesting fact: do not be afraid of the remains of the detergent on the dishes. Environmentalists and other experts assure that the product is active only during its application, and the water washes it off completely.Still, the most ideal dishwashing option is products without dyes and fragrances, for example .
5. Reduce the amount of water and electricity when cleaning
Saving up to 200 liters of water per day is not an appeal from a fantastic movie, but a real plan that each of us can do. Turn off water when soaping dishes. You can use a plug, plug the sink, wash the dishes, and then rinse. Water after washing fruits and vegetables can be collected in a separate container and used to water the plants. The most environmentally friendly way to clean dirty dishes is the dishwasher. It allows you to reduce the amount of water used by about half. Eco-friendly tablets, for example Fragrance-free and in eco-friendly packaging made from recycled cardboard, will extend the life of the device and ensure safe cleaning of dishes.
Don’t flush debris down the toilet to keep it from getting clogged. Even more water will be needed to solve the problem, not to mention plumbing services. One flush will consume 6 to 10 liters of water at a time.
To save electricity, replace your conventional incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs. Energy-saving lamps will help you consume up to 8 times less, dimmers and motion sensors to turn on will also come to the aid of rational people.
Interesting fact: waste disposal can help save money. For example, the British save 100 thousand tons of coal annually when generating electricity by burning garbage in the town of Edmonton.
6. Look for markings on packaging
In the modern world, this is not just a concern for proper disposal, but also the opportunity to get something new from recycled products. For example, Henkel’s Pro Nature product packaging is not only made from previously recycled materials, it can be further recycled for future use. Henkel is fighting plastic in the oceans and poverty in developing countries by converting collected materials into “currency” for local communities. Carefully study the labeling on the packaging of goods, it will tell you what to do with the container.
1, PET / PETE, PET – It is not recommended to reuse in everyday life, but this type of plastic has a high potential for recycling.
2, 4, HDPE, HDPE or polyethylene – it is well processed, feel free to hand it over to plastic collection points.
3, PVC it is not processed in many countries; when burned, it releases strong poisons and carcinogens.
5, PP, PP, polypropylene – can be frozen and reheated in a microwave oven, perfectly processed.
6, PS / EPS, PS, polystyrene – well suited for single use, but this type of plastic should not be reheated or food stored in it. Has limited processing potential.
7 or other waste – most often these are mixed types of plastic and multilayer packaging. Not suitable for processing in its original form.
Recycling plastic for recyclability is a huge help to nature, reducing waste and helping businesses to reduce production costs. Try to sort garbage and dispose of it correctly, our planet is our home, which is also important to keep clean.
Interesting fact: 200 years ago, people first thought about the problem of waste recycling. This is how the first incineration plant in England was born. Now large companies are concerned about the possibility of further use of their own packaging and are looking for ways to recycle waste that has already filled our planet: for example, the Plastic Bank organization is trying to stop further pollution of the oceans with plastic waste. The collected material is recycled and used by Henkel for packaging. Pollution control and garbage recycling are important not only for flora, but also for fauna: every year more than 100 thousand mammals, birds and fish die from plastic.
Rationality is a lifestyle that people choose, regardless of their income and social status. Six simple habits will help you keep your home tidy and contribute to the conservation of nature. A pleasant bonus will also be saving the family budget from using reusable items and reducing the consumption of water and electricity. Feel free to give things a second life, and yourself – health and longevity, which is largely influenced by our ecology.
* Except for the Bref brand.