March challenge:
Use only eco-friendly cleaning products
This challenge involves using only eco-friendly products (either home-made or certified with an ecolabel) for at least a full month.
What is an ecolabel?
Ecolabels are official certifications that mark out products and services which are more environmentally friendly. Their specifications guarantee a reduction in environmental impact throughout their lifecycle, but without diminishing the qualities that make them fit for purpose.
Ecolabels allow manufacturers to offer products which:
- Encourage eco-friendly innovation and sustainable industrial activity
- Produce less waste and lower CO2 emissions during manufacture and use
- Are more efficient in the way they use energy, water and raw materials
- Are easier to recycle
There are a number of eco-certified cleaning products that you might consider using. Adopt a healthier approach to consumption by using products that display an ecolabel for your:
- Laundry detergent
- Multipurpose and bathroom cleaners
- Dishwasher detergent
- Washing up liquid
Opt for eco-friendly household products featuring labels such as EcoCert, Ecolabel or Nature & Progrès.
Take a look here, too: http://multimedia.ademe.fr/infographies/infographie_produits_menagers/index.html (French only)
Home-made household products
If you want to go even greener, you can make your own products with a few simple ingredients!
From just a few basics, you can make all of the main cleaning products. Pare it back to the essentials!
Your wallet will thank you, too... Here’s a short, but highly effective recipe... it’s been proven in tests!
Make your own natural multipurpose cleaner
Ingredients and equipment
For 1 litre of product, you’ll need:
- Water
This is added to dilute the ingredients and give you a greater volume of product.
- 2 tbsp eco-friendly soap
You can use black soap or an eco-certified concentrated multipurpose product. This cleans surfaces and removes grease.
- 1 tbsp bicarbonate of soda
Bicarbonate of soda intensifies the action of the soap and removes grease.
- Optional: 10 drops of essential oil (lemon, pine or lavender)
- A 1-litre bottle or flask
- A funnel to prevent spills
Method
1- Fill the bottle three-quarters full with warm water.
2- Add the bicarbonate of soda and mix.
3- Add the essential oil.
4- Pour in the soap.
5- Close the bottle and shake.
6- Fill to the top with water and mix one final time.
7- Label the bottle.
You can find more recipes here: https://www.ecoconso.be/fr/content/les-7-produits-dentretien-naturels-indispensables-la-maison (French only)
Sources:
https://www.ademe.fr/expertises/consommer-autrement/passer-a-laction/reconnaitre-produit-plus-respectueux-lenvironnement/dossier/lecolabel-europeen-logos-publics/lecolabel-europeen-ecolabel-connu-reconnu-france
https://youpuissantnaturellement.fr/fabriquer-ses-produits-menagers-avantages-et-inconvenients/
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