The weather is getting warmer and the days are getting longer. It’s the perfect time to host gatherings, enjoy the outdoors, and like every year before, it’s time for a little spring cleaning. We all know how hard it can be to make cleaning sustainable, since it seems like all cleaning materials are wrapped in plastic or packaged for single use. However, at Marley’s Monsters, we have a few things that can help make your cleaning experience a little more fun and sustainable. Here are a few tips for keeping your house clean while keeping the environment cleaner.
1. Felted Mop Pads
Made on our felt loom out of fabric scraps, Felted Mop Pads are the perfect alternative to single use disposable mop head sheets. We felt multiple layers of cotton flannel together to create a versatile mopping accessory. The thick cotton middle is super absorbent and the single ply flaps on both sides can clip into most standard size mop heads. Use wet or dry, then, toss in your next load of laundry, and reuse!
2. Washable Duster
Dust and pollen are inevitable in the Spring, and you could easily go through multiple duster heads in one season. Instead, opt for a handmade Washable Duster that you can use again and again. This duster is made from multiple layers of dust seeking flannel and fleece. Duster tendrils will curl after washing to make the collection of dust more effective. To wash, remove the duster from the custom made wood handle and slide back on once dry. However, don’t be so quick to toss your preexisting plastic duster handle. The washable duster head will fit on some standard plastic handles.
3. Washable Sponge
There’s nothing worse than finally finishing cleaning your kitchen and it still smells like funky, old sponge. Not only are they hard to clean, but traditional kitchen sponges are crawling with bacteria, and are made of microplastics that are not biodegradable. Ditch the funk, and swap to a Washable Sponge, the perfect plastic free alternative to traditional kitchen sponges. With proper care, our Washable Sponge can last for years. Choose from a variety of colors and prints to match your unique style and taste, or to match your kitchen decor. When your sponge is ready for a deep cleaning of its own, simply add it to your next load of laundry or toss it in the dishwasher. Then, dry your sponge on a Sponge Bug, a unique sponge holder that is 100% wood and serves as a unique way to dry and show off your Washable Sponge and other reusables. Handmade from USA grown hardwood with 4, (3") prongs extending from a 2.5" wooden dome, and finished with a felt pad on the bottom. You’ve never had a sponge this easy to care for. Clean, wash, and reuse!
4. Make Your Own Wet Wipes
One easy way to reduce cost, waste, and harsh chemicals in your home is to make your own cleaning solution. Have a little fun with it! Invest in cloth wipes, the sustainable solution to single use wipes, and make your own wet wipes. Experiment with ingredients and recipes, but while you’re practicing, this is our favorite recipe:
- 2 teaspoons fractionated coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon castile soap
- 2 tablespoons witch hazel
- 5 drops essential oil
- 5 drops vitamin E oil
This DIY Wet Wipe Kit is the perfect place to start. It includes 12 black Cloth Wipes in a wide mouth mason jar with a Black ReCap. Visit our tutorial on how to fold your cloths, add them to the jar, close the lid and rotate the jar so all cloths are soaked. Then repeat weekly.
5. UNpaper® Towels and a Chenille Cleaning Cloth
Now that you have made your own cleaning solution, you need a way to wipe down your surfaces! Luckily, there are several options for cleaning materials like this. Try the ever versatile UNpaper® Towels, perfect for snacks, hands, faces, noses, and cleaning all sorts of surfaces. After they've been washed, simply stack them up and re-roll one at a time. Collect the dirties in a bin or Wet Bag, and wash in a normal load of laundry. Alternatively, try a Chenille Cleaning Cloth, perfect for all household chores. Handmade out of one ply 100% cotton chenille with a soft towel side and a scrubbier woven backside, it can be used as a mop head attachment, an over-sized washcloth or for general cleaning. It also features a 100% cotton loop for easy hanging storage or drying.
If you’re local, don’t forget to stock up on household cleaning supplies at our Bulk Bar in the Eco-Shop. We sell goods by weight, usually by the whole ounce, so bring your own container, or choose from one of our glass containers, and refill to your heart’s content over and over.
This is just the tip of the iceberg, as there are truly endless possibilities for sustainability. But this is a great place to start reducing waste and incorporating reusables into your cleaning routine. Plus, you can find more sustainable items at Marley’s Monsters, and shop our Spring Collection to find new products and beautiful prints to add to your cleaning routine. How do you make cleaning sustainable? Reach out and let us know. We’d love to talk!
