There are many reasons to re-evaluate your cleaning closet, including saving time, money, and the environment. With the right tools, anything is possible.
We have compiled a list of some of our favourite eco-friendly tools that pass the tests of effectiveness, re-useability, and ease. Having these simple tools on hand can make your days of scrubbing, dusting, and washing surfaces a breeze.
Always be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions with any new tool you are using to prevent marking or staining your surface.
1. Razor blade
A razor is an amazing tool for removing baked-on food or liquid from stovetops, calcium from chrome and stainless, spots on windows and any other solidified material that won’t come off with hot water, a good natural cleaner, and a regular cleaning rag. You can find these at your local hardware store.
Always ensure that the blade is straight and true and free from any burrs that may scratch the surface you’re cleaning. It’s a good practice to replace the blade frequently. When using on glass such as a stovetop or window, it helps to have a damp surface to prevent any scratching.
2. Pumice Stone
Our favourite pumice is a smaller, rectangular shape and is available at many professional cleaning supply stores. It removes lime, rust and stains, and hard-water rings from toilets, urinals, showers and sinks, and the paste produced as you scrub helps clean and polish. Pumice is especially effective on porcelain, ceramic tile, iron and other hard surfaces, but should not be used on glass, fiberglass or highly polished metals.
3. Reusable Spray Bottles
Reusable spray bottles are invaluable for preserving space and the environment from unnecessary packaging! You can buy in bulk, saving yourself money and space on your cleaning shelf, and they last for years if taken care of. Our favourites are the clear glass bottles since they can look so beautiful on open shelving, the product inside is clearly visible, and labels are easy to put on or wash off.
4. Natural-fibre sponges
One of the most well-known and widely-used natural sponges is the loofah. They hold a lot of water but dry quickly, preventing the bacteria buildup that can happen on cloths or rags that retain their moisture longer, and really shine (pun intended) in the dishwashing department. The great news is a loofah can also be used on your skin as a mild exfoliant that will leave you feeling refreshed and vibrant. A good loofah will last a long time and is easy to cut to any size you require, making it useful for corners and tight areas.
Hemp is also a good natural-fibre sponge that’s effective as a cleaning tool, particularly for dishes and countertops. It naturally repels pests, so no toxic pesticides are needed, and doesn’t require a lot of land or water to grow, while also returning valuable nutrients to the soil. Both of the above sponges can be thrown into the dishwasher, making it easy to clean them every time you wash a load of dishes.
5. Telescoping tool handle
For professional cleaners, this tool is a must-have, however for the typical homeowner it is often unknown. It’s a handle that screws on and off of a variety of additional cleaning implements and can be made shorter or longer depending on the job at hand. In its extended state you can reach those higher mouldings without getting up onto a ladder (yikes!) and then simply shorten the length by telescoping it in to reach baseboards without bending down or being on your hands and knees. There are a variety of attachments available, including a genius fan-cleaning brush which has bristles on the outside and a hole through the middle which you fit over your fan blade, making dusting the high-up fan super easy.
At Organic & Clean, we really enjoy sourcing out natural and eco-friendly alternatives to cleaners containing harsh chemicals, and we’ve also discovered the importance of premium cleaning tools to make our job easier. We hope the tools listed above will help you as well in your quest for a healthy and clean home without sacrificing cleanliness or the environment.
And as always, if you’d prefer to leave the cleaning to us, give us a call and we’ll be happy to help! In the meantime, Happy Cleaning!