(upbeat music)
(upbeat music)

- Hey, I'm Jhanneu and I'm a sustainability content creator
- Hey, I'm Jhanneu and I'm a sustainability content creator

and I focus on teaching people how to live a low waste life,
and I focus on teaching people how to live a low waste life,

while also making it inclusive and accessible to everyone.
while also making it inclusive and accessible to everyone.

So today I'm going to share with you
So today I'm going to share with you

my favorite zero waste cleaning swaps.
my favorite zero waste cleaning swaps.

I just wanted to throw out a disclaimer
I just wanted to throw out a disclaimer

to make sure you use what you already have in your home
to make sure you use what you already have in your home

before you go out and buy some of these products,
before you go out and buy some of these products,

cause that is the most sustainable option.
cause that is the most sustainable option.

My first swap is replaced liquid laundry detergent,
My first swap is replaced liquid laundry detergent,

that comes in plastic packaging,
that comes in plastic packaging,

and opt for laundry detergent strips instead.
and opt for laundry detergent strips instead.

The EPA estimates that of the 14.5 million tons of plastic
The EPA estimates that of the 14.5 million tons of plastic

that was generated in 2018, only 13.6% was recycled.
that was generated in 2018, only 13.6% was recycled.

Over 69% of plastic containers and packaging
Over 69% of plastic containers and packaging

went to landfill.
went to landfill.

I love using Tru Earth laundry sheets.
I love using Tru Earth laundry sheets.

All you have to do is rip it in half
All you have to do is rip it in half

and you throw it in the washing machine.
and you throw it in the washing machine.

It's actually just concentrated detergent,
It's actually just concentrated detergent,

so not only is it saving a lot of space in your home
so not only is it saving a lot of space in your home

but it's also cutting down a ton of waste,
but it's also cutting down a ton of waste,

because you're not using plastic packaging.
because you're not using plastic packaging.

And in terms of when it gets shipped to you,
And in terms of when it gets shipped to you,

it's using less carbon emissions.
it's using less carbon emissions.

I love that these strips come plastic free
I love that these strips come plastic free

and they leave my clothes smelling fresh and clean.
and they leave my clothes smelling fresh and clean.

My next swap is instead of using dryer sheets,
My next swap is instead of using dryer sheets,

I opt for wool dry balls.
I opt for wool dry balls.

Single use dryer sheets are made of non-woven polyester
Single use dryer sheets are made of non-woven polyester

which is derived from fossil fuels.
which is derived from fossil fuels.

And these sheets are just going to go straight to landfill
And these sheets are just going to go straight to landfill

after you use them and just sit there forever.
after you use them and just sit there forever.

What I like about wool dryer balls is that
What I like about wool dryer balls is that

they can last up to a thousand loads of laundry.
they can last up to a thousand loads of laundry.

They can also decrease your drying time by about 40%,
They can also decrease your drying time by about 40%,

so it's also saving you energy as well.
so it's also saving you energy as well.

For best results I recommend about six dryer balls
For best results I recommend about six dryer balls

and sometimes I'll actually put essential oils
and sometimes I'll actually put essential oils

on the dryer balls as well,
on the dryer balls as well,

to give my clothes a fresh smelling scent.
to give my clothes a fresh smelling scent.

But you would just throw them in like you would
But you would just throw them in like you would

regular drying sheets.
regular drying sheets.

If you're someone that's vegan,
If you're someone that's vegan,

an alternative is that you can take a washcloth
an alternative is that you can take a washcloth

and you can spritz it with a little bit of vinegar
and you can spritz it with a little bit of vinegar

as an alternative.
as an alternative.

A great way to reduce micro plastics
A great way to reduce micro plastics

that end up in our ocean
that end up in our ocean

is to make sure that you wash your synthetic clothes
is to make sure that you wash your synthetic clothes

in a washing bag.
in a washing bag.

A lot of times when our clothes are being washed
A lot of times when our clothes are being washed

and they're made from things like polyester
and they're made from things like polyester

and synthetic materials,
and synthetic materials,

little pieces of it rubs off
little pieces of it rubs off

and it actually goes into our waterways.
and it actually goes into our waterways.

Today, synthetic materials make up to 60%
Today, synthetic materials make up to 60%

of the materials used in clothes.
of the materials used in clothes.

And since synthetic fabrics
And since synthetic fabrics

are typically made from petroleum,
are typically made from petroleum,

these microfibers are essentially micro plastics.
these microfibers are essentially micro plastics.

A way to prevent that from happening is to take a Guppy bag,
A way to prevent that from happening is to take a Guppy bag,

which I really like,
which I really like,

and I just throw in my clothes in there
and I just throw in my clothes in there

that contains synthetic materials.
that contains synthetic materials.

I try to buy clothing
I try to buy clothing

that's made from natural and organic materials,
that's made from natural and organic materials,

but I also thrift as well.
but I also thrift as well.

And a lot of times my thrifted items
And a lot of times my thrifted items

contain synthetic materials.
contain synthetic materials.

So using a Guppy bag is a great option.
So using a Guppy bag is a great option.

I like the Guppy bag as well
I like the Guppy bag as well

because it protects your clothes from wear and tear,
because it protects your clothes from wear and tear,

so your clothes are going to last longer.
so your clothes are going to last longer.

And whatever's leftover, I'll just throw it in the trash.
And whatever's leftover, I'll just throw it in the trash.

And that's just a better alternative
And that's just a better alternative

because then it's not going straight into the ocean.
because then it's not going straight into the ocean.

Another great swap is
Another great swap is

to switch out your single-use bottles of household cleaners,
to switch out your single-use bottles of household cleaners,

and opt for those that come in refillable bottles
and opt for those that come in refillable bottles

that you can just purchase liquid concentrates.
that you can just purchase liquid concentrates.

One of my favorites are from Grove Collaborative.
One of my favorites are from Grove Collaborative.

They have glass cleaner.
They have glass cleaner.

They also have just like a regular all-purpose cleaner.
They also have just like a regular all-purpose cleaner.

They come in a little tiny glass container
They come in a little tiny glass container

and some concentrate and all you do is
and some concentrate and all you do is

you pour it in the bottle and then you mix it with water.
you pour it in the bottle and then you mix it with water.

What's also really cool about the Grove spray bottle
What's also really cool about the Grove spray bottle

is that they have these really cute
is that they have these really cute

silicone sleeves to them.
silicone sleeves to them.

So it also helps protect it from breaking as well.
So it also helps protect it from breaking as well.

It's also saving carbon emissions
It's also saving carbon emissions

because it has less volume and weight
because it has less volume and weight

than a typical household cleaner.
than a typical household cleaner.

In addition to the packaging,
In addition to the packaging,

I love that the ingredients are all natural
I love that the ingredients are all natural

and aren't harmful to the health or to the planet as well.
and aren't harmful to the health or to the planet as well.

And when you're done with the glass concentrate
And when you're done with the glass concentrate

you can easily recycle it or repurpose it.
you can easily recycle it or repurpose it.

So you can actually make your own household cleaner
So you can actually make your own household cleaner

by doing equal parts, water and vinegar.
by doing equal parts, water and vinegar.

And I like to also add in essential oils.
And I like to also add in essential oils.

So that's a great option as well,
So that's a great option as well,

and it's super affordable.
and it's super affordable.

Another great swap is to switch out
Another great swap is to switch out

single-use disposable disinfectant wipes,
single-use disposable disinfectant wipes,

and opt for a spray bottle that contains rubbing alcohol.
and opt for a spray bottle that contains rubbing alcohol.

With the pandemic,
With the pandemic,

disinfectant wipes have been selling like crazy.
disinfectant wipes have been selling like crazy.

But the downside to those
But the downside to those

is that they just get sent straight to landfill
is that they just get sent straight to landfill

and sit there forever.
and sit there forever.

So I always try to find ways to make products
So I always try to find ways to make products

either reusable or find just a better alternative
either reusable or find just a better alternative

in general.
in general.

A solution for a DIY disinfectant
A solution for a DIY disinfectant

that can kill viruses and bacteria,
that can kill viruses and bacteria,

including the COVID-19 virus,
including the COVID-19 virus,

is a spray rubbing alcohol,
is a spray rubbing alcohol,

with an isopropyl concentrate of 70% or higher,
with an isopropyl concentrate of 70% or higher,

onto the surface that you wish to disinfect.
onto the surface that you wish to disinfect.

Then you can simply let it sit for 30 seconds
Then you can simply let it sit for 30 seconds

before wiping it off.
before wiping it off.

While it's effective,
While it's effective,

repeated use of rubbing alcohol
repeated use of rubbing alcohol

may impact the finishes of some surfaces,
may impact the finishes of some surfaces,

so it's best to do some research on your surface type
so it's best to do some research on your surface type

before using it in your home.
before using it in your home.

If you use a Swiffer Wet Jet,
If you use a Swiffer Wet Jet,

instead of using the disposable pads,
instead of using the disposable pads,

you can actually opt for reusable pads instead.
you can actually opt for reusable pads instead.

Single use mop pads are extremely wasteful
Single use mop pads are extremely wasteful

cause you use them once and then you just throw them away
cause you use them once and then you just throw them away

and they're actually made of plastic,
and they're actually made of plastic,

so they can take hundreds of years
so they can take hundreds of years

to break down in landfill.
to break down in landfill.

They're also pretty expensive.
They're also pretty expensive.

So it's just really a great way to save money as well
So it's just really a great way to save money as well

when you're switching to a reusable alternative.
when you're switching to a reusable alternative.

Reusable mop pads will last for years and years.
Reusable mop pads will last for years and years.

You can just throw them in the wash,
You can just throw them in the wash,

like you would anything else and you're good to go.
like you would anything else and you're good to go.

And instead of buying the clean solution refills
And instead of buying the clean solution refills

in plastic bottles,
in plastic bottles,

you can simply refill it with a DIY solution
you can simply refill it with a DIY solution

made out of one part vinegar, one part water
made out of one part vinegar, one part water

and a few drops of dish soap.
and a few drops of dish soap.

And again, remember to do the research
And again, remember to do the research

to make sure that the surface that you're cleaning on
to make sure that the surface that you're cleaning on

can actually handle the vinegar.
can actually handle the vinegar.

Another great cleaning alternative
Another great cleaning alternative

is to ditch the toilet cleaner
is to ditch the toilet cleaner

that comes in a plastic container
that comes in a plastic container

and just make your own DIY toilet bombs.
and just make your own DIY toilet bombs.

Toilet bowl cleaners come in these big plastic bottles
Toilet bowl cleaners come in these big plastic bottles

and not only are the plastic bottles bad for the environment
and not only are the plastic bottles bad for the environment

but also the chemicals inside these cleaners are bad for you
but also the chemicals inside these cleaners are bad for you

and for the planet as well.
and for the planet as well.

What you have to do is mix together baking soda,
What you have to do is mix together baking soda,

citric acid and dish soap to form a paste,
citric acid and dish soap to form a paste,

then transfer the mixture into a silicone ice cube tray
then transfer the mixture into a silicone ice cube tray

and let it sit for four hours.
and let it sit for four hours.

And then that's it; you can store them however you like.
And then that's it; you can store them however you like.

I would recommend using a glass jar
I would recommend using a glass jar

and you can just keep it under your bathroom sink
and you can just keep it under your bathroom sink

and they can just pop one out whenever you need it.
and they can just pop one out whenever you need it.

Another great swap is to replace your single use lint roller
Another great swap is to replace your single use lint roller

with a reusable one.
with a reusable one.

Lint rollers are pretty wasteful.
Lint rollers are pretty wasteful.

You use one sheet, you throw it away
You use one sheet, you throw it away

and it gets sent to landfill.
and it gets sent to landfill.

And more than often,
And more than often,

you need like three or four sheets
you need like three or four sheets

to actually get the job done.
to actually get the job done.

Reasonable lint brushes can last for years.
Reasonable lint brushes can last for years.

I had this one from Red Decker that is used from rubber
I had this one from Red Decker that is used from rubber

and can actually decompose once you're done using it.
and can actually decompose once you're done using it.

The rubber creates a static charge and collects lint,
The rubber creates a static charge and collects lint,

pet hair, and fuzz.
pet hair, and fuzz.

Then you can just clean it out with your hands
Then you can just clean it out with your hands

and then it's good as new
and then it's good as new

and you can just keep on using it.
and you can just keep on using it.

Another great cleaning alternative is to
Another great cleaning alternative is to

ditch the disposable duster and opt for a reusable one.
ditch the disposable duster and opt for a reusable one.

Single use dusters contain plastic
Single use dusters contain plastic

and it doesn't take that long for the quality of them
and it doesn't take that long for the quality of them

to degrade very, very quickly.
to degrade very, very quickly.

So opting for a reusable one is definitely a better option.
So opting for a reusable one is definitely a better option.

Love my reusable duster that I got from Marley's Monsters.
Love my reusable duster that I got from Marley's Monsters.

It's made from natural materials
It's made from natural materials

and then all you have to do
and then all you have to do

is just throw it in the wash whenever you want to clean it.
is just throw it in the wash whenever you want to clean it.

Or you can skip the duster altogether
Or you can skip the duster altogether

and just use a damp rag.
and just use a damp rag.

This is also the perfect way to give a second life
This is also the perfect way to give a second life

to a t-shirt or a sock that might have a hole in it.
to a t-shirt or a sock that might have a hole in it.

And you can just use that as a dust rag as well.
And you can just use that as a dust rag as well.

Another great cleaning swap
Another great cleaning swap

is to replace a store-bought drain cleaner
is to replace a store-bought drain cleaner

with a DIY version.
with a DIY version.

Drain cleaners contain a ton of toxic chemicals.
Drain cleaners contain a ton of toxic chemicals.

So for me, not only do I care about the plastic bottle,
So for me, not only do I care about the plastic bottle,

but I also care about the ingredients as well.
but I also care about the ingredients as well.

So for this DIY drain cleaner,
So for this DIY drain cleaner,

you're going to need baking soda,
you're going to need baking soda,

vinegar and boiling water.
vinegar and boiling water.

Pour some boiling water down your clogged drain.
Pour some boiling water down your clogged drain.

Then add in about a cup of baking soda and vinegar each
Then add in about a cup of baking soda and vinegar each

and cover up the drain.
and cover up the drain.

The bubbly reaction will clean out the clog
The bubbly reaction will clean out the clog

without all the harsh chemicals.
without all the harsh chemicals.

Then you can finish it off
Then you can finish it off

by pouring in some more boiling water
by pouring in some more boiling water

and repeat this as many times as needed.
and repeat this as many times as needed.

This is a great zero waste option
This is a great zero waste option

because then I'm not scared of drain cleaner
because then I'm not scared of drain cleaner

getting splashed on my skin or inhaling it accidentally.
getting splashed on my skin or inhaling it accidentally.

So those are some of my favorite zero waste cleaning swaps.
So those are some of my favorite zero waste cleaning swaps.

Thank you so much for watching
Thank you so much for watching

and let me know in the comment sections below
and let me know in the comment sections below

what some of your favorites are.
what some of your favorites are.

(upbeat music)
(upbeat music)