Low Waste Deep Cleaning: A Natural House Cleaning Guide
You don’t need harsh chemicals or mountains of plastic bottles to give your home a good old-fashioned deep clean. These low waste house cleaning tips—straight from our Co-Founder Col, a former professional house cleaner—make it easy to clean efficiently and sustainably. Here’s how to get started, plus a free natural all-purpose cleaner recipe you can make at home.
1. Start with a Grand De-Clutter
Take an empty laundry basket from room to room and gather anything that doesn’t belong. Put away clutter, wash the dishes, and start a load of laundry (linens included). Begin or add to a donation bag as you go. Clear off surfaces so they’re ready for a deep clean.
Pro Tip: Let your bathtub, shower, and bathroom sink dry while you’re doing this step. It’s much easier—and better for your vacuum—to clean dry bathrooms.
2. Dust Everything
No fancy tools needed—just a lightly dampened cloth. Cotton, hemp, and bamboo work great, but use what you have. Dust picture frames, shelves, objects, door frames, window sills, and baseboards.
Extra: Microfiber and fleece cloths aren’t biodegradable and shed microplastics in the wash. If you use synthetics, consider a microplastic-catching laundry bag—but remember, using what you already own is the most sustainable option.
3. Vacuum (Round One)
This may seem repetitive, but trust us—vacuuming twice saves time in the long run. Start with all your floors: carpet, hardwood, or linoleum. Don’t forget the baseboards. You can even vacuum your dry countertops and stove.
Next, vacuum the (dry!) bathroom: around the toilet, tub, sink, and floor. Use a hose attachment to get hair and dust from tricky spots.
4. Clean Your Surfaces
Spray your natural all-purpose cleaner (recipe below) on bathroom and kitchen surfaces. Let it sit for 10 minutes for max antibacterial effect. Then:
- Wipe down your bathroom mirror and sink.
- Scrub the tub/shower, and do the toilet last.
- If needed, add baking soda for extra scrubbing power. Rinse well!
- Use a pumice stick to remove toilet bowl rings.
- In the kitchen, wash dishes, wipe counters, appliances, and the inside of the microwave (steam a cup of water first to loosen gunk).
Floor Tip: Don’t have a mop? Wet a cloth with your spray, throw it on the floor, and use your feet to scrub. Cheap, fast, and low waste!
Extra: Dampen a cloth with your cleaner and disinfect high-touch surfaces like light switches and doorknobs.
When you’re done, take a break. You earned it.
5. The Final Vacuuming
This last pass picks up anything that got kicked up during surface cleaning. Once floors are dry, do one more quick vacuum before you stash the machine.
Low Waste Cleaning Essentials
- Vacuum
- Distilled White Vinegar
- Baking Soda
- Natural Toilet Brush
- Pumice Scouring Stick
- Natural Scrub Brush
- Spray Bottle(s)
- Reusable Cleaning Cloths
*We are physically disabled and often use tools like telescopic electric scrub brushes to help us clean. Zero waste perfection isn’t practical or accessible for everyone—do what works for you!
**None of our links are affiliate or Amazon-based. When we share sources, we prioritize small, ethical businesses. But using what you already own? That’s the heart of true sustainability.
Natural All-Purpose Cleaner Spray Recipe
Click here to download the printable recipe card (PDF).
In a spray bottle, combine:
- 1/4 Cup White Vinegar
- 2 Cups Distilled (or filtered or boiled) Water
- 1 Teaspoon Castile Soap*
- 10–30 Drops Essential Oil*
- 1–2 Tablespoons Rubbing Alcohol*
*Optional, but recommended for boosted cleaning power.
Recommended Essential Oils
Tea Tree, Rosemary, Lemon, Lime, Thyme, Clove, Cedarwood, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Lemongrass, Lavender, Cinnamon, Bergamot
These essential oils offer natural antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal benefits.
Final Notes on Natural Cleaning
- Never mix vinegar with bleach—it creates toxic fumes.
- Don’t mix vinegar and hydrogen peroxide—the combo is highly corrosive.
- Baking soda + vinegar = neutralized. Still useful for fizzy drain cleaning, but don’t expect disinfecting magic.
- Avoid rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide on painted surfaces, which they can damage.
Natural cleaning doesn’t have to be complicated—or wasteful. With a little prep and a simple homemade cleaner, your space can sparkle without the toxins, plastic, or overwhelm.
If you want to reduce the single-use plastics in your home, feel free to take a look at our handmade Solid Dish Soap, and personal care products.
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