Your Home Could Be Secretly Polluting the World with Every Clean

In our quest for spotless homes, we may unknowingly be contributing to one of the planet’s most pressing environmental challenges: microplastic pollution. Every time we scrub with that trusted magic eraser or wipe down surfaces with synthetic cloths, millions of microscopic plastic particles are released into our water systems, eventually making their way into our food chain and bodies.

The Hidden Microplastic Crisis in Your Cleaning Routine

According to research published in Environmental Science & Technology by the American Chemical Society (ACS), melamine sponges may be contributing more than a trillion microplastic fibers into the environment each month across the globe. The average abundance of MPs in household cleaning products was 564.97 ± 327.83 n·kg-1, with toilet bowl cleaners having a significantly higher abundance than the other two products.

These microscopic fragments pose serious concerns for both environmental and human health. The available evidence from animal studies led them to warn that ingested microplastics appear to reduce fertility and may increase the risk of cancer, particularly in the digestive tract. The effects of microplastics can lead to cell damage and contribute to chronic diseases, experts say.

Common Cleaning Tools That Release Microplastics

Many everyday cleaning essentials are surprising sources of microplastic pollution. The typical yellow and green kitchen sponge is made of petroleum-based polyurethane. A detrimental extraction and production process means that polyurethane sponges already have a large environmental footprint when they hit grocery store shelves.

While there’s less information known about the specific amount of microplastic pollution emitted by sponges and kitchen brushes, we do know that these items contribute to microplastic pollution in a similar manner to synthetic fabric. In fact, you likely see your sponge shed bits of microplastic each day as pieces rip off through wear and tear. Every time a sponge is squeezed out and rinsed, those loose particles head down the drain and enter our water stream.

Microfiber cleaning cloths, while effective, are another significant contributor. Microfiber cloths, often made from synthetic materials, shed microplastics during use and washing, further contributing to environmental pollution.

Making the Switch: Eco-Friendly Cleaning Alternatives

Fortunately, there are numerous sustainable alternatives that can help reduce your household’s microplastic footprint without compromising cleaning effectiveness.

Natural Cleaning Tools

Luckily, the natural world offers many materials that are ideal for plastic-free cleaning and utility products. While plastic-based materials are most commonly used for cleaning products, there are many alternatives that don’t contribute to microplastic pollution and are arguably better suited for the job.

Among these are organic hemp and cotton. These materials are naturally resistant to pests, so no harsh chemicals or pesticides need to be used in their production. This keeps your home free of potentially harmful substances, and leaves you with products that are durable and reusable.

Consider these sustainable swaps:

• Bamboo scrub brushes: Swap them out for eco-friendly alternatives made from materials like bamboo or sustainably sourced wood. These brushes effectively tackle tough stains without compromising on durability. Plus, when their bristles wear out, you can replace only the bristle component, reducing overall waste.
• Natural sponges: The perfect alternative to plastic dish sponges and plastic bath loofahs. Use our zero waste, sustainably sourced loofah sponge
• Cotton cleaning cloths: Simple, reliable, and readily available, cotton cloths are a fantastic swap. Their natural fibers are biodegradable, and they’re incredibly versatile, handling everything from dusting to wiping spills. While they might not have the same electrostatic charge as microfiber cleaning cloths, their absorbency is excellent.

Plastic-Free Cleaning Products

When selecting cleaning products, check the ingredients lists to avoid plastics and toxic chemicals. This means avoiding microplastics, PEG (polyethylene glycol), phthalates, and PVA or PVOH (polyvinyl alcohol), as well as ammonia, chlorine and chlorinated chemicals, phenols, phosphates, SEA, SLS, SLES, TEA, triclosan and triclocarban.

If you still want to buy cleaning products, you can look for products designated by the Environmental Protection Agency through their Safer Choice program.

Professional Cleaning Services and Microplastic Reduction

For homeowners seeking professional help, it’s important to choose cleaning services that prioritize environmental responsibility. One-A Cleaning and Maintenance Services, a family-owned business serving Nassau County, NY, exemplifies this commitment. Our focus on eco-friendly products and practices ensures that we’re not only making your space cleaner but also doing our part to protect the environment.

At One-A Cleaning and Maintenance, we’ve built our business on values like integrity, reliability, and a commitment to customer satisfaction. We understand the importance of having a clean, safe environment, and we go above and beyond to make sure our services meet the highest standards.

Whether you need regular maintenance or specialized house cleaning kensington services, choosing environmentally conscious professionals can significantly reduce your home’s microplastic footprint while maintaining the highest cleaning standards.

Additional Steps for Microplastic Reduction

Beyond switching cleaning tools, consider these additional measures:

• Install microplastic filters: PlanetCare makes laundry machine filters designed to trap microplastics that shed from synthetic fabrics when they are being washed, keeping them out of water treatment systems.
• Choose natural fabrics: Choosing clothing made of natural fibers like bamboo, hemp, organic cotton, or linen will best prevent the release of microplastics when washing laundry.
• Use HEPA filtration: We also make sure that our vacuum has a HEPA filter to control dust.

The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters

The estimated annual MP emissions from these three types of household cleaning products were 3.88 × 1013 ± 1.35 × 1013, with toilet bowl cleaners accounting for 56.44 % of the total emissions. MPs directly released without treatment in WWTPs (2.46 × 1013 n year-1) accounted for 63.40 % of the total emissions, highlighting the importance of increasing the treated rate of wastewater to reduce MP emissions.

The choices we make in our cleaning routines have far-reaching consequences. Making the switch to eco-friendly cleaning cloths might seem like a small change, but it can have a significant impact on our planet. By choosing sustainable alternatives, we can reduce plastic pollution and create a healthier environment for future generations.

By making informed choices about our cleaning tools and products, we can protect both our families and the environment from the hidden dangers of microplastic pollution. Every sustainable swap brings us one step closer to cleaner homes and a cleaner planet.