Let’s be honest: most people trying to clean up a spill would reach for a paper towel or cloth without making a distinction. Both cleaning tools will get the job done, no doubt. 

However, when you consider the environmental impact, you may see the choice in a different light. 

Which one is more eco-friendly, paper towels or cloths? There are no easy answers in this regard. Read on to dive further into the topic!

Paper towels

Paper towels are biodegradable and come from a renewable source. However, most paper towels lose against any reusable cleaning cloth for more than one reason when considering their environmental impact. Here are just a few:

• Paper may contain chemicals: Have you ever thought about why paper towels are white? It’s because manufacturers bleach them with chemicals like chlorine! Also, other chemicals like formaldehyde can be found in paper towels.
• Trees are cut down to make paper: Most paper towels are made from trees. Sure, trees might be a renewable resource, but they take several years to grow.
• They’ll likely end up in a landfill: The fact that paper towels are disposable is enough to turn them into a big concern. Whenever you can reuse, that’s the way to go!

Cleaning cloths

As you may imagine, the environmental impact of a reusable cleaning cloth depends greatly on its materials. You can find everything from organic cotton cloths to synthetic microfiber cloths.

However, the manufacturing process can also affect how eco-friendly a cleaning cloth is.  Microfiber made from recycled plastic is gentler with the environment than when it’s made from virgin materials. In the same way, natural fibers like cotton are not necessarily more eco-friendly. 

Tips for choosing eco-friendly paper towels or cloths

Picking a product with a low environmental impact is not always easy. However, even trying it is worth it! Here are general tips that might help you choose the best product from the available options.

1. Don’t fall from greenwashed products!

Manufacturers can claim many things to mislead customers into buying their products. Greenwashing occurs when the manufacturer suggests their products are eco-friendly—but they aren’t!

However, avoiding greenwashed products can be more challenging than it seems! Learn the most you can about the towels before buying: Do they contain chemicals? Where do they come from? Do a quick research before buying a new cloth or paper towel.

2. Choose reusable over convenient

Disposable paper towels can be much more convenient because you can skip the washing. However, all that waste has to arrive somewhere! In most cases, a good-quality, reusable cloth beats any disposable towel.

3. Recycle whenever possible

Did you know that even cotton isn’t entirely eco-friendly? If you want to reduce the environmental impact of cleaning with a cloth, first consider if you really need to buy brand-new cloths. Instead, you can cut out several small rags from an old t-shirt! 

Do you need help with the chores? Let Illinois Valley Clean Team help!

Keeping your home clean and healthy can be a hassle: from choosing the cleaning supplies to scrubbing and wiping every surface. 

If you need a break from your cleaning chores, you can count on the Illinois Valley Clean Team! Our staff uses the latest equipment, cleaning supplies, and procedures to ensure you a spotless home. Request your free estimate today!

A hardwood floor can last for decades. However, to keep it in top condition, you need to clean it frequently and carefully! Nobody wants an ugly scratch or a dull finish on their floor. What’s the best way to clean your floor? Learn here the do’s and don’ts of cleaning hardwood floors!

DO: remove dust regularly

Neglecting regular cleaning on your floor could be counterproductive—cleaning a dirty hardwood floor is riskier and takes a lot of time! Instead, to keep your floor clean for longer, remove loose dirt and debris daily. 

Sweeping your floor won’t take you much time. The best tools to use are a soft-bristle broom or a dust mop.

DON’T: use the beater bar attachment

You could also use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust from your floor. However, you need to be careful! Never use a beater bar or any other attachment that isn’t specifically designed for hardwood flooring.

Other tools to avoid are steam cleaners. Steam mops are great for tile or many different types of floor, but they will wreak havoc on your hardwood floors!

DO: clean messes right away

A spill is easier to clean with a damp cloth before it sticks to the floor surface. Keep a soft cloth ready to tackle any mess right when it happens, from dirty footprints to food spills.

DON’T: wet the floor

Water and wood don’t mix well. Many hardwood floors have a protective coat that prevents water from penetrating into the wood. However, in waxed floors and other types of finishes, sitting water could still cause damages. 

If you decide to mop your floor, ensure you are not wetting it too much!

DO: deep clean every few months

It doesn’t matter how frequently you dust your hardwood floor; you still need to deep clean it from time to time. Usually, deep cleaning a floor means mopping it. 

Can you mop hardwood floors? In most cases, you can. However, always use a trusted commercial or DIY hardwood floor cleaner to be sure it won’t damage the finish. Also, if you are using a traditional mop, wring it well before mopping!

DON’T: overclean low-traffic areas

You should sweep the floor every now and then in a high-traffic area and mop with each seasonal clean. However, the low-traffic areas on your floor can go without cleaning for longer. Mopping a low-traffic floor twice a year is enough! This way, you can lower the risk of dulling the finish!

DO: protect your floor

Using floor protectors in high-traffic areas can save you a lot of cleaning. Place rugs and mats in entryways, hallways, and other living areas. Also, you can place floor protectors under furniture to avoid scratches!

DON’T: skip refinishing

Cleaning your floor is an excellent way to keep it looking like new. However, sooner or later, you’ll need to refinish it. The frequency of refinishing can go from once or twice a year to every five or ten years. It depends on the type of finish on your floor!

No time to clean your floors? We can help you!

Illinois Valley Clean Team is ready to amaze you. We are a local cleaning company delivering high-quality house cleaning services to homeowners in the Illinois Valley! Booking is easy, and your satisfaction is guaranteed! Learn more about our services by visiting our homepage!