Cleaning DIY

• The “State of Fashion 2021” report, which also elaborates on the impact of COVID

Berni Pakot, Anna Caleta

Cleaning with Zero Waste principles is easy, cheap and not harmful for the environment. It uses only a few basic ingredients: baking soda, white vinegar, soap and essential oils. You can also make rags and scrubbers!

DIY dust rags, washcloths and scrubbers

The first rule of the 5 Rs is to Refuse – refuse to buy cleaning cloths when you can make them at home (Reuse)! It’s as easy as cutting up worn-out clothing (T-shirts, PJs, blouses), bedsheets, towels – honestly any textile could work that you’d otherwise throw away. It could be cotton, linen, hemp or silk. You can use them for drying the dishes and cleaning all kinds of surfaces – floors, windows, countertops ...

If you are feeling fancy and have a sewing machine, you can make them more durable by seaming the edges so they don’t fray. If you have basic crochet or knitting skills, you can make a scrubber using jute or hemp rope using basic stitches. It is up to you whether you make it round or rectangular. They are perfect for scrubbing pots and pans! When dirty, toss them in the washing machine or dishwasher.12

• One part white vinegar • One part water • Lemon rind

• Rosemary sprigs Combine the above ingredients, pour into a spray bottle, shake and then let infuse for a week before using. You can use the solution to remove hard water stains, clean trash cans, wipe away wall smudges and much more. Plus, the fruit acid adds extra cleaning properties, perfect for stubborn stains.

Wet wipes

Now you have your washcloths and cleaner, let’s make wet wipes! There are two ways to do this: a. Roll your washcloths into a glass jar and soak with cleaner. Keep handy! b. Put cleaner in a spray bottle, spray the surface you want to clean and wipe with a dry washcloth. These are perfect for cleaning spill-ups, countertops, dust and much more. If you’d like to use wet wipes for your baby or child, simply take washcloths with you and a bottle of water. For disinfecting surfaces, you can use 70% rubbing alcohol instead of the multipurpose cleaner.

Liquid dish soap 13

• 25 - 30 g palm-oil free castile bar soap • 2 tsp baking soda • 600 ml water

• 3 drops of your favorite essential oil

• 1 soap dispenser, and maybe a jar for the surplus Note that you can use a soap bar and kitchen brush for washing dishes.

Cleaning the microwave

In a microwave-safe bowl, mix 3 parts water and 1 part white vinegar. You can also add citrus peels. Place the bowl inside the microwave, turn on for 5 minutes and leave for 2 more. Take a cotton cloth and wipe. Your microwave will be smell-free shortly.

Cleaning the dishwasher

Combine 1/2 cup baking soda with 1 tbsp white vinegar, and scrub lime deposit inside the dishwasher.

Toilet bombs

• 1/2 cup baking soda

• 1/2 cup citric acid

• Essential oil, water

• 5 drops rosemary essential oil • 5 drops tea tree essential oil • 5 drops lemon essential oil • 1 spray of water Follow this link to get more detailed instructions.

Cleaning clothes

You can make laundry detergent using plants that you pick from nature! Sweet chestnut and English ivy are widespread in the Danube region, and full of saponins – ingredients that are responsible for cleaning. You can ask the elderly what they use when there are no store-bought detergents. Indian nuts (or soap nuts) are very popular nowadays, but keep in mind that they are exported, often in single-use packaging, and because of this they have a negative impact on the environment. Always try to use local resources.

• 100 g English ivy leaves, cut • 1 l boiling water • 1 tbsp baking soda Combine all the ingredients and let the mixture cool completely. Strain it, store it in a glass bottle and keep it in a dark cold place. Use 2 dl per wash.

Sweet chestnut detergent

Peel all hard husks of 8 - 10 sweet chestnuts and cut them into smaller pieces. Place them in a glass jar (7 dl) and pour boiling water over them. Leave overnight and strain. This amount is for a single wash.

TIP: If washing whites, peel off all the brown husk of the chestnut to prevent staining your laundry.

IMPORTANT NOTE: These plants contain saponins, which have caused poisoning in cattle, dogs, sheep and humans when ingested. Chemical compounds in English ivy can also cause severe contact dermatitis in sensitive humans. Handle these plants with caution, and keep away from pets and children to avoid ingestion!

Castile detergent

If you are not into long walks in nature, you can make detergent using a castile soap bar and washing soda. For liquid detergent combine 1/4 cup grated Castile soap and 400 ml of water. Heat on the stove until dissolved. Add 1/8 cup washing soda, and heat until it thickens. Place in a container. Add 2.1 l warm water and 5 - 6 drops of essential oil of choice. Let it set overnight. Use half a cup per wash. For laundry powder, combine 1 bar grated Castile soap with 2 cups washing soda. Use 1 - 2 tbsp per wash.

NOTE: Washing soda is not the same as baking soda. You can buy it in some drug stores, or you can make it yourself! For that you’ll need 2 cups of baking soda: place it in an oven dish and leave it in a preheated oven (240°C) for 1 hour, giving it a little mix half way through. You’ll notice that baking soda changes its composition – it becomes grainier, a slightly different colour and it doesn’t clump like baking soda. Make sure you clean the oven dish well if you are using it for preparing food.