It can be hard to find reusable alternatives to many of the products we use every day. One eco-friendly homeowner found a way to eliminate single-use dusters.
The scoop
Maria (@livingplanetfriendly) shares her low-waste lifestyle with her quarter of a million followers on TikTok. She posts videos about reducing food waste and reusing plastic containers.
@livingplanetfriendly I had no idea there were dusting alternatives to single use dusters until I found this on etsy! This actually works too 🧹 Check out my cleaning labels at the link in my bio 🫶🏻 #Eco101 #Ecofriendly #LowWaste #ZeroWaste #Sustainable #Sustainability #Dusting #Dust #Reusable #ReusableDuster #Duster #CleanTok ♬ original sound - Maria 🌎
In one recent clip, Maria explains how she found a reusable duster that slips right over the handle of a ubiquitous sweeping brand's duster.
The reusable duster appears to be made from fluffy microfiber, and the creator says she found it on Etsy. In the clip, she demonstrates how the duster picks up dust all over her home. She shares that once you're done dusting the whole home, you can toss the duster in the wash.
Maria also says the duster pairs well with her homemade glass cleaner made from vinegar, water, and essential oils. Low-waste and reusable tools paired with natural cleaners will make your chores an eco-friendly part of your day.
How it's working
Tips like this save you money while helping keep your waste out of landfills. Over the course of 10 years, you could save up to $15,000 by eliminating single-use items. According to the Center for Biological Diversity, the United States uses around 730,000 tons of plastic annually, 87% of which does not get recycled.
The CBD also reported, "About 34% of dead leatherback sea turtles have ingested plastics." Sea life can get caught in plastic bags or packaging causing injury or even death.
There is good news on the plastic front, however. Bans on single-use bags are making a difference. Environment America found that bans across several states in the U.S. have eliminated six billion bags from the trash stream, which is "enough bags to circle the earth 42 times."
What people are saying
The folks on TikTok were thrilled to learn a less wasteful alternative to disposable dusters.
"Omg I was looking for a swap for this!" wrote one person
Another commented, "It's unfortunate that disposable dusters became a thing in the first place. Old feather dusters (and the like) worked ok."
Someone else said, "YESSSS! You can also get/make reusable swiffer pads."
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