Switch to Plastic-Free Cleaning Cloths, Sponges & Gloves
Seep is a fabulous brands that makes wonderful plastic-free sponges and scourers, ideal for all your cleaning and washing-up needs. Everything is designed to last a long time, then cut up and compost, or bin to naturally break down.
- Use unscented products for pregnancy/nursing, baby and pet bowls. Citrus oils in particular are toxic to pets (even if rinsed and dried, residue could be licked from paws).
- Replace chlorine bleach with natural oxygen bleach to remove tea/coffee cup stains. never mix any kind of bleach with acid (lemon or cleaning vinegar) as it causes toxic gas.
- Don’t pour plant-based liqueurs down the drain. They should be treated like oil (wrap and bin small amounts or use an oil recycling bin for larger amounts. Or better yet, just drink them up!
You can recycle empty toxic cleaning bottles at kerbside (for bottles with product, dispose of at your council’s hazardous waste department).
Natural Copper Scourers in Cardboard Packs
Seep eco copper scourers are the zero waste alternative to those cheap silver scourers, sold in plastic packs. These are made from real copper, and sold in cardboard packs (each one contains six scourers).
To use, just rinse before and after use, and dry between uses, to prevent mould. Each one should last around six months, then either recycle in your green bin (or take a metal recycling centre).
Do not use on non-stick or delicate surfaces (like porcelain) and avoid acidic liquids. Don’t use copper in gardens to deter slugs/snails as it can harm (instead, read how to humanely deter slugs and snails).
A natural bamboo washing-up brush
This bamboo washing-up brush has bristles made from sisal (a type of cactus) to tackle grease and grime, without scratching dishes. At end of use, just pop in the compost bin (or bin) to naturally break down, with no harm to the planet.
Seep (fair trade rubber gloves in cardboard packs)
Seep rubber cleaning gloves are good quality, but different from you-know-who, because not only are they are made with natural rubber, but unlike most brands, these are sold in cardboard packs (no plastic). They also have textured fingers, to help you grip things, while washing-up.
Avoid for latex allergies. Use a separate pair for dishwashing, than cleaning. At end of use, cut them up (to speed up biodegradation) and pop in your bin!
Designed with soft lining for extra comfort, each pack includes 3 packs of gloves which should last you a long time. Made ethically in Sri Lanka, choose from small, medium or large sizes (rinse with water after use, dry out between uses, and store away from sunlight (to prevent mould).
The natural rubber is sourced from trees by tapping (like maple syrup, this does not require trees to be chopped down). So does not contribute to deforestation. And this company also donates to reforestation project, to offset the carbon from shipping the rubber from abroad.
