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Eco-friendly cleaning products

Cleaning products are a frequent household purchase, which makes them a good place to cut packaging and leftover chemistry. You do not need a matching set of bottles. Start with fewer, more concentrated products, and read the actual ingredient and hazard information.

Concentrate and refill

A concentrated unscented detergent and a plain unscented castile soap cover a surprising number of jobs when you dilute them correctly. Refillable spray bottles keep you from buying a new trigger sprayer each time. Wool dryer balls can replace single-use dryer sheets for many households. None of these swaps is magic, and "unscented" is not the same as "fragrance-free" on every label — read the panel.

Simple ingredients still need care

Baking soda and distilled vinegar are useful, but they are not appropriate for every surface, and mixing household chemicals can be hazardous. Keep products in labeled containers and follow ventilation and child-safety common sense. This guide does not recommend mixing recipes from memory.

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