How Our Boutique Became Eco Friendly, As Well As The Products We Use.
Well after Covid19 became more prevalent in our lives I'm sure we all started to clean a little more than usually!
So with this, we started to look at the volume of products we were using to keep our brides to be safe, but on this flip side we were harming the planet more. We needed to look at how we solve to the two problems.
We were now entering a world that we were not familiar with. Cleaning we do this all the time a couple of times a day, since Covid19 after each appointment, our waste is increasing the rubbish that this is generating is harmful to both us and the planet.
We did a lot of research into what the word "Eco Friendly" I want to identify what makes an eco-friendly cleaning product? Terms like “eco” and “natural” aren’t regulated by the government so we wondered how can we be sure that we are using products that are good for our health and the health of the planet? So we started by replacing the basic until we understood more. An Eco Friendly cleaner is one of non-toxicity, made from natural and organic ingredients, as well as been biodegradable so this does not impact our environment.
When we use cleaning products we realised that many of them go straight into our waterways, so we needed to find / make products that broke down faster.
We started by handmaking a lot of our own products to reduce our waste. as well as using a lot more reusable products, not just making sure everything is recyclable that enters our boutique, if it not we started to find other uses for them.
So where did we start. We looked at the products we used and the volume we disposed of. We used a lot of paper towels coppice amounts, we were using around 2 rolls a week, and wipes at least 4 packets a week so this is where we started.
We have added a shopping list link at the end of the blog of all the products that w would use in boutique and homes. As well as ways to make your own cleaning products.
We found these amazing products to quickly replace the paper towels and wipes we used.
The scrubbing dots of the Bamboo paper towel makes the stubborn stains disappear. we did add some cleaning solutions for our mirrors and worksurfaces that people touched to keep our guests safe as possible. Not only are these sheets super absorbent, they save money in long run as they are easily washed out and quick drying time. The bamboo sheets can be washed out with either cold water or in a washing machine. The bamboo roll has 20 sheets, these towels can be used around 80 times each.
These Eco-Friendly cleaning cloths, clean our entire boutique, 100% organic and completely eco-friendly. made from bamboo fibres, bamboo is known for its anti-bacterial qualities, its excellent for dealing with dust, grease and stains, no need to use any toxic chemicals, again can be put in the washing machine and reused time and time again.
The next part we looked at the dishes, we wash a lot of dishes throughout our day at work. so we through away a lot of scourers as well as them over time breaking down through the water systems again, as they are made from plastics. These amazing dish cloths we use are made from organic cotton.
Not only are these practical and stylish, they are really absorbent and extremely durable they are knitted cotton dishcloths make a useful and attractive addition to your kitchen.
The packaging is also completely recyclable.
So this is our absolute favourite find, the bristles are tough enough to remove any grease or stains, yet can be used on your favourite non-stick pans. Made from coconut fibers, wrapped around stainless steel wire and accredited beechwood. no more plastics washing down the drain.
Toilet rolls, how many toilet rolls can one boutique use hehehe. We had never given this any thought before now! Yes we had our favourite go to brands.
VOTED 1 MOST SUSTAINABLE - This eco-friendly bamboo toilet paper meets top standards for environmetal sustainability as voted by The Natural Resources Defense Council, Its soft, strong and last twice as long. With a whopping 50% of the profits donated to developing countries to help to build toilets, its definitely one of our favourites. All fully recyclable, from the box to the wrapping.
So with all the products that need washing we use, this fabulous eco egg as well as laundry bags. to keep everything eco-friendly.
This egg - I have to admit I was a sceputal about, I have always used so many different types of cleaners for my washing machine, to get the clothes clean and smelling amazing. So when i used these i could not believe how clean and bright everything was. They have Mineral pallets inside that draws the dirt from your clothes. without using any harmful chemicals. I pop this in my machine and run them on a 30 wash each time.
We put all our cloths inside this laundry bag so they last longer, with no snagging or ripping in the machine.
These laundry bags are an excellent way to keep all the washing together throughout the week at work, once we one we pop it into the bag.
Once the bags are popped into the machine along with the egg, the bag prolongs the life of the products we have invested money, they also stop snags, pulls an rips to the items in your machine. These bags are GOTS certified organic cotton.
Next on our list was items that staff brought onto the premises for lunch times. We wanted to to carry through our none single use of plastics. We looked at staff lunches, whether part/full time or models for the day bring lunch in, we now provide all items for our staff prior to their start date, so they are more conscious of the environment, this is always discussed to the start of their contracts. We provide bees wax wrappers to reduce single plastic use . This took a little more research, we need to find ones that we of excellent quality for our staff, there is no peeling or flaking, these wraps are dipped into beeswax and not sprayed. They are completely natural 100% natural cotton, pure beeswax, they tie tightly to seal the food. As well as other items were to be bought in glass containers so we can wash and reuse these. The glass meal prep containers were picked with care for our staff and the environment, they are reusable and made out of heavy-duty borosilicate glass, the lids are 3 BPA-free plastic and airtight.
So lets get to the actual cleaning and what products we use. First we used a company, to send us products,
We ordered some glass bottles, ready the really easy to instructions and started to make the cleaners, they were really simple you simply added the tablet in to the bottle and added 500ml of water. They are non-toxic and worked really well, the only downside I would say was the price.
So with that we decided to make our own products, this was relative easy for us as we hand make a lot of items in our boutique already from soaps, candles and wax melts.
How We Make Our Multi-purpose cleaner:
What You Need:
3/4 cup hydrogen peroxide
1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
1 teaspoon unscented liquid Castile soap
10 drops tea tree oil
20 drops lavender essential oil
2 cups water
How to make:
Simply add the two teaspoons of liquid castile soap to your empty bottle (a funnel may help), then add the essential oils.
Next add the cooled boiled water, and add the spray top.
Shake gently and its ready to use!
Directions for Use
This homemade cleaning spray is a great multipurpose spray that can be used all around the house. The spray may separate before cleans, so every time you use this spray simply shake well before use to disperse the oils and away you go.
If you are using on mildew, try putting some baking soda on the mildew and spray over the top and scrub well.
If using on wood I always recommend spraying the cloth and then wiping your surface to avoid over saturating your wood if you spray directly, as this could cause it to warp.
How We Make Our Window and Glass Cleaner:
What You Need:
2 cups water
1/2 cup white vinegar or cider vinegar
1/4 rubbing alcohol 70% concentrate
2 drops of orange essential oil (optional just for the smell)
Add all ingredients to a 500ml spray bottle. Shake to combine. Use on windows or glass fronts of appliances. Do not use on a hot day it will leave streaks on your windows
How We Make Our Natural Floor Cleaners:
What You Need:
2 cups warm water
½ cup white vinegar
¼ cup rubbing alcohol
3 drops castile soap
5-10 drops peppermint essential oil
Vinegar is the go-to ingredient to clean floors the natural way. Use it as a natural cleaning product to get floors spic and span.
If you have wooden floors, we add to our mop bucket and mix it all together and simply mop.
¾ cup olive oil
½ cup lemon juice
Note: Vinegar and other acidic cleaners should not be used on stone floors
We certainly had fun in making all our products and trying them working out the correct ratios
have fun our cleaning beauties.