Eco-Friendly Cleaning Schedule

Who this is for

Households who want to clean effectively without harsh chemicals or single-use plastics — and aren't sure where to start.

You don't need a cupboard of specialty cleaners. Most cleaning can be done with vinegar, bicarbonate of soda, castile soap, microfiber cloths, and water. Those four cover 90% of household needs.

Schedule the same way you'd schedule any cleaning, but make a list at the bottom of the chart for the four products. That's your cleaning kit. Refill from bulk, skip the spray-bottle-of-the-week marketing.

The four-product eco kit

Most households can replace a cupboard of branded cleaners with four basics: white vinegar, bicarbonate of soda, castile soap, and microfiber cloths. They cover 90% of household cleaning, cost a fraction of branded equivalents, and produce far less plastic waste. The remaining 10% (oven deep cleans, occasional mould) may still benefit from stronger products used sparingly.

What "eco" actually means in cleaning

• Lower toxin load indoors — better for kids, pets, asthma sufferers.
• Less plastic — refilled bottles, bulk buys, bar soaps.
• Less packaging waste — concentrate refills, paper-wrapped products where available.
• Microplastic awareness — wash microfiber in mesh bags to keep fibres out of waterways.

How fairness is calculated

Behind the scenes, every chore gets a numeric weight from its effort (small / medium / large), frequency, and a difficulty modifier for the genuinely unpleasant tasks. The algorithm distributes weight across people, not chore counts — three counter wipes do not equal one toilet scrub, and the schedule respects that. Annoying tasks rotate separately so the same person never gets the bin two weeks running. Full details on the methodology page.

How to use it

1. Generate your normal weekly schedule. Tasks don't change — products do.
2. Switch to multi-surface = vinegar + water. 1:1 spray bottle. Use on most surfaces (not stone).
3. Use bicarbonate of soda for scouring. Replace bathroom scrubs and oven cleaner.
4. Use castile soap for floors and dishes. Concentrated, biodegradable, very dilute.
5. Wash microfiber cloths in mesh bags. Catches microplastics from going to waterways.

FAQ