Discovering Bea Johnson's Zero Waste Home yesterday was a revelation. Today I looked at each item I touched (toothbrush, toothpaste, razor) and realized none of them could be recycled. Almost everything I touched was plastic and intended eventually for the garbage dump. I decided to make changes. No, we won't be going to Zero Waste anytime soon, but that doesn't mean we can't take baby steps in the right direction.
I started by making some of my own cleaning products:
- Tooth powder. A variation of Bea's formula. I placed fresh mint leaves in the bottom of a small lidded container, then I added a layer of baking soda. I simply touch a wet toothbrush on the baking powder and brush my teeth. No more toothpaste tubes in the trash.
- All purpose cleaning liquid. Into an empty spray bottle, I put water, a small amount of vinegar, some Castile soap (Dr. Bronner's) and some drops of tea tree and eucalyptus essential oils.
Instead of using my Swiffer WetJet, I wrapped a microfiber cloth around the head of a Swiffer floor duster. I sprayed some cleaner on the floor and then rubbed with the cloth. Works better than any mop I've ever used.
