In this cleaning series so far we have looked at conventional cleaning products and how they negatively impact the environment. Then we looked at the technical aspects, levels of cleaning we do, and what we should be avoiding. Today I am going to finish off with a run down on your green cleaning options! General tops tips to get you started Use up what you already have Do your research if trying out a eco-friendly brand Make choices that you find exciting and / or easy Start with swapping out one or two products Don’t try to make your own from scratch for all your cleaning products a ..read more

You may not know this, but I also work as a cleaner! I work part-time to support Let the Earth as it grows. I enjoy the privilege of getting out and about, into different people’s homes, and leaving them clean and tidy. It is so satisfying - especially when I can walk away and not see it made all messy again for another week or two. So, I know a bit about what’s involved in cleaning, what works and what doesn’t. I currently clean with both eco and non-eco friendly products depending on what I am provided with. And I can truly say that I much prefer the eco-friendly ones. Definitions of cleanin ..read more

Like me you may have grown up using bleach, and other conventional cleaning products, and never thought about what they contain and the impact they have on the environment. I had a wake up call a few years back and started to research what I was cleaning with. My findings were not encouraging! Many of the ingredients in everyday cleaning products are responsible for water and air pollution. Some are non-biodegradable and/or toxic chemicals. They pollute the environment, damaging plant and animal life across the planet as well as our own health. Here are some examples of cleanings products and ..read more

Often we feel powerless or overwhelmed by the climate crisis or other environmental issues that are facing us today. And that is fair enough. I am not going to pretend that it isn’t serious and that there isn’t a lot of work to be done. The good news is there is a lot of work we can do! As you may already be aware governments all around the world are stepping up. It may not be perfect, or enough, and we need to hold them accountable for that, but they are making a start. 177 countries in 2015 signed a global treaty. They committed to limit global warming to 1.5°C max 2°C. To achieve this they ..read more

This is a huge topic at the moment. Energy, it’s sources and usage, have a significant impact on the planet and there are a lot of people making a lot of noise about it currently. I’m not going to even attempt to cover all their points but I will attempt to give an overview of why this is such an important and contentious issue. Energy is everywhere and we need it for everything. The natural world has sunshine as it’s major energy source enabling life and growth across the planet. In our modern man-made world we need energy for transportation, food, heating, lighting, for our homes and busines ..read more

Once you have used what you have to the best of your ability and exhausted second hand clothing options you will probably have to buy some clothes brand new. Here is my guide to buying new as sustainably as you can. As always have your list of values at the ready (mentally or physically). This should include what’s important to you and what you are looking for in a sustainable brand or clothing option. Make sure not to be greenwashed by all the supposedly sustainable brands, or lines within brands, out there. If you need some guidance check out my green-empowering series especially my blog on ..read more

It's taken me a while to get into shopping second hand. I grew up wearing a lot of second hand clothes because that's what my parents could afford and it was easily accessible to us. Over the years my family grew in disposable income and as a teenager I had a good amount of pocket money to spend on clothes. For a long time I loved buying new as it was a novelty for me. I also embraced blending in. I tried not to look different but wore what everyone else was wearing - what was in fashion at the time. I am so glad I have changed! I care a lot less what others think of me and my wardrobe. I most ..read more

Do you know what’s in your wardrobe? What your clothing is made of? Where it comes from? How it was made? These are all the types of questions we need to ask when considering how environmentally sustainable our clothes are. That being said - the most sustainable clothing is the clothing you already have. In your draws and cupboards, in bags and boxes. The best way to be a good steward of the earth resources is to use them and to take care of them. Here is a helpful illustration by Sarah Lazarovic that helps me when thinking about the sustainability spectrum of clothing. Start with what you ha ..read more

When talking to people about the environment feelings of powerlessness will always come up. This powerlessness will have many other emotions in tow. These vary depending on the person or topic in question. Here are some of those emotions. Any resonate with you more than others? Angry Worried Afraid Resigned Hopeless Grieving There are very valid reasons for these feelings. We know that we need to change the way we function as a society, but we also know that a large proportion of the change needed is out of our hands. This leaves us feeling defeated before we even begin. Many quote the statist ..read more

Anxiety is another emotion that a lot of us struggle with especially when it comes to the complex and overwhelming nature of caring for the environment. Whether it is prompted by all the knowledge and scientific data we have at this point in history, or the news, or social media and it’s campaigning… let’s look at what can help us manage our anxiety well. Acknowledge The first step we all need to take is to acknowledge how we feel. Acknowledge that it is hard. Accept that it is a struggle. That we can all feel anxious at times. The good news is it's not the end point. This is the beginning poi ..read more