All About Eco-Friendly Cleaning

Yay! It’s time to clean! … Not many people actually say that. But we can all certainly agree that we much prefer it when our little corner is tidy and organized. But we don’t have to use tools and cleaning products that end up polluting the environment. It’s clear that many of you agree with this, too, because not a day goes by without someone at Rifuzl filling their own container with cleaner or slipping a sponge into their shopping basket (Don’t know what that is? Read on.). To make it easier to navigate, in this article I’ll introduce you to EVERYTHING you’ll find here for eco-friendly cleaning.

Tools

If you’re well-prepared, the work just flows. But it’s not just important that these tools let you clean effortlessly— but also that they’re made from materials that have the least possible impact on the environment ☝. Traditional sponges and rags are made from various types of plastic and other synthetic materials, so they’re impossible to recycle. Another major problem is that they tear apart during cleaning, and these micro plastic particles then end up in drains, rivers, and oceans. To avoid destroying the habitats of a large number of animal and plant species, choose cleaning tools made from biodegradable, natural materials:

• If you’re looking for softer sponges,that are highly absorbent and produce plenty of lather, the two pictured below are a great choice. They’re gentle enough even for cleaning more delicate items. But if you want the classic “rough-on-one-side, soft-on-the-other” type,go for the Comme Avant sponge made of loofah (rough side) and cotton (soft side). The other option is the “kafetkarca,” which is a slightly coarser sponge made from used jute bags that areused to transport unroasted coffee beans. It’s an alternative to wire sponges, suitable for removing drier stains, as as well as for cleaning the grill in the oven or on the barbecue.
• The other is the famous loofah, which has taken Slovenia by storm because it cleans dishes extremely effectively, and is also a completely natural product—it’s made from a loofah gourd by thoroughly drying a ripe gourd, peeling it, removing the seeds, and cleaning it. It also works great in the bathroom, laundry room, and workshop—you can even use it to clean windows!

3. If it bothers you that your hands come into contact with sponges and cleaning products while cleaning, then consider buying a brush. Thanks to its longer handle, your hands will stay dry, and it will effectively clean even the most stubborn stains.

4. And the last cleaning tool we’d like to introduce is natural rubber gloves. Although natural cleaning products aren’t harmful, gloves are still a good idea especially if you’re cleaning with very hot water or have sensitive skin on your hands. They’re made from FSC-certified latex, which is biodegradable rubber of natural origin, harvested through sustainable forest management practices. The gloves also carry the “Fair Rubber” certification, which ensures that the natural latex is sourced according to fair trade principles.

Cleaning Products

At Rifuzl, we proudly support Nina, the founder of the brand of natural Slovenian cleaning products, Odori. All of her cleaning products are plant-based, biodegradable, and eco-friendly, as they contain no phosphates, preservatives, dyes, enzymes, or other additives. On our shelves, you’ll find:

• Hand dishwashing gel.
• Dishwasher gel.
• All-purpose cleaner.
• Bathroom cleaner.
• Toilet bowl cleaner.
• Glass cleaner.
• Stubborn stain remover.

All are available only in refill form (so be sure to bring your own bottle or an empty container from a cleaner you currently have at home), and they’re used the same way as conventional cleaners. The only one that’s a bit different is the glass cleaner—first spray the mirror or window, then clean it with a wet cloth, and only then dry it with a dry one.

In January, we teamed up with Nina to create a wonderful video where you can see why these are (at least in our opinion) the best natural cleaners you can find.

In addition to Odori cleaning products, we also offer:

• Bar soap for hand-washing dishes. We added this because it’s very handy when traveling, and when used correctly, you’ll use much less of it than liquid dish soap. A 150-gram bar will last you about 3 months.
• Dishwasher tablets.The ones you’ll find at Rifuzl contain biodegradable ingredients and are therefore gentler on aquatic ecosystems. They’re smaller and more concentrated than regular tablets, so they take up less space, require smaller packaging, and consequently use less energy during transport and reduce emissions.

A few more general recommendations

• Clean sponges and rags regularly—the easiest way is to wash them along with the dishes in the dishwasher or pour boiling water over them with a spoonful of Ox Power bleach added.
• Instead of buying new dishcloths, you can cut up old cotton T-shirts or towels. Just make sure they’re actually made of natural materials, since we don’t want to be spreading microplastic particles around.
• Our cleaning products are very effective, so use them in minimal quantities. This is especially important with dishwashing gel, so that you’re not left with a machine full of foam.
• To keep your dishwasher running smoothly, regularly add dishwasher salt (in the dispenser), and pour a citric acid solution (simply mix citric acid with water) into the rinse aid compartment.

Do you want to use as few cleaning products as possible to clean your home?

Then sign up for our newsletter, where you’ll receive Rifuz’s guide to cleaning with baking soda and citric acid. In it, you’ll find all the information you need to make your home sparkle with a minimal amount of cleaning products.

You can sign up HERE, and we’ll send the guide to your email right away.