Getting Started with Zero Waste Cleaning: Avoid These 5 Beginner Mistakes
The zero waste mindset appeals to many – the idea that our lives could leave behind as little waste as possible is both ecological and ethical. For many, the first step toward a low-waste lifestyle begins at home, in everyday routines. One concrete and important part of this is cleaning.
But even with the right motivation, getting started isn’t always easy. Zero waste cleaning often comes with expectations and assumptions that can make it feel harder than it needs to be. Here are five common beginner mistakes – along with insights and tips to avoid them.
1. Trying to DIY everything from scratch
Many people begin their zero waste journey with DIY recipes using baking soda, vinegar, and essential oils. The internet is full of advice on how to make your own cleaning products. It may feel empowering and manageable – at first.
But not all DIY solutions work as intended. For example, citric acid isn’t safe for all surfaces, and vinegar can damage appliances. The result may be more frustration than satisfaction.
It’s perfectly okay to combine responsible, ready-made products with your own efforts. Zero waste isn’t an all-or-nothing project. What matters is that your choices support your goals – not that they consume all your time and energy.
💡 Instead, try this:
Look for a simple, low-waste ready-made solution that works and makes daily life easier. Choosing a responsible product isn’t “un-green” – as long as it’s made with care.
For example, the Dilute cleaning sachet combines effectiveness and sustainability – without compromise or messy mixing.
2. Focusing only on ingredients – not the packaging
Many of us now check what cleaning products contain: Are the ingredients natural, biodegradable, fragrance-free? That’s great. But what happens to the bottle once it’s empty?
Too often, even “eco-friendly” products come in single-use plastic bottles that end up in the trash or, at best, recycling. It’s easy to overlook how many bottles pile up in a year.
Packaging is part of the product. Zero waste thinking extends to what surrounds the product – and how many times it can be reused.
💡 Tip:
Track how many bottles or containers you use in a month – it can be eye-opening. Refillable options are becoming more popular, and for good reason.
P.S. If you’d rather not count bottles – and want to avoid a cluttered cleaning cabinet – cleaning sachet are for you.
3. Trying to do everything at once
When excited about something new, it’s tempting to want to change everything overnight. You overhaul your cleaning cupboard, buy new tools, and start ten new routines.
But this kind of drastic change often leads to burnout. Zero waste cleaning is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes time, trial and error, and most importantly, patience with yourself.
💡 Tip:
Start with one area – like the bathroom. See how you can replace just one product with a more sustainable option. Then the next. And the next.
4. Recycling wrong – or not at all
Recycling might seem like an obvious part of zero waste living, but in practice, it’s not always so simple. What do you do with an empty refill pack? Is the plastic cap recyclable? Can biodegradable packaging go into compost?
Incorrectly sorted waste can undo your well-meaning efforts.
Even with the best intentions, recycling can go wrong if the packaging is complicated or instructions unclear. Not all “biodegradable” items go in compost, and not all plastics belong in plastic recycling.
💡 Tip:
Check your local recycling guidelines. Choose products with clear sorting instructions or minimal packaging. Fewer packages = less to figure out. Even small simplifications help in everyday life.
For example, water-soluble sachet that dissolve completely in water leave behind only a clean, reusable bottle. Once you’ve used all the sachet, the only leftover waste is the outer packaging – and even that is made from paper with a thin aluminum lining, meaning no excess plastic waste.
💡 Important reminder: Perfection isn’t the goal. Zero waste is a process. You can start by replacing just one cleaner – and that alone is a big step.
5. Losing motivation along the way
The zero waste lifestyle is full of ideals – but everyday life is rarely perfect. There will be moments when, in a rush, you grab a store-bought product or don’t have time to find a refill pack or refill station. And when that happens, it’s easy to feel like you’ve failed.
Zero waste thinking can easily slip into perfectionism: no plastic, no chemicals, no mistakes. So when life throws curveballs, it’s tempting to give up.
But perfection is not the goal. Every sustainable choice is a step in the right direction. It’s important to remember why you started: you wanted a cleaner home, safer products, less waste – maybe even a better future.
💡 Tip:
Write down your reasons for choosing zero waste cleaning. Keep them visible. Small actions add up – and they matter. Pause for a moment. Notice how it feels to clean without synthetic fragrances or harsh chemicals. How it feels to see less waste at home. These everyday experiences bring meaning back into the process.
Starting a zero waste cleaning routine doesn’t require perfection.
It only takes thought, intention, and a few concrete decisions. Maybe it’s one refill pack. Or a decision not to buy any more plastic bottles this year. When you understand the common pitfalls, you can avoid frustration and build a sustainable cleaning habit that fits your life.
It can start with just one bottle.
Every step counts.
And every step is enough. 💚