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Written by Grove Collaborative

9 good New Year's resolutions to add to your cleaning routine in 2022.

Last Updated: November 11, 2021

Want to streamline your 2022 cleaning routines and products — and make them better for you and the planet? We’ve got easy, eco-friendly tips, brands, and reusable cleaning products you can try for your freshest new year yet.

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Another new year is right around the corner, and with it comes the tradition of making resolutions. This year, let's create easier resolutions that we can stick to ... while helping our friend Mother Earth at the same time.


Instead of changing your ingrained habits, how about making your existing ones more efficient, effective, and eco-friendly? What if your New Year’s resolution was simply to make your cleaning routine simpler, less harmful to your health, and safer for the planet? With a few simple swaps, you can feel better about your cleaning habits all year long — even if your actual habits don’t really change all that much.

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9 cleaning resolutions for 2022 you can easily try

#1: Swap single-use paper towels for reusable paper towels or microfiber cloths.

Microfiber cloths have several million tiny, hook-shaped fibers per square inch that grab dust, dirt, grease, and germs — and hold onto them until you rinse and wring. Unlike paper towers and cotton, microfiber is literally engineered to clean: The material is incredibly absorbent and positively charged, attracting negatively charged dirt and grease like a magnet to opposing metals.


Learn more about microfiber and how it works here.


If microfiber isn't your thing, make a switch to reusable paper towels instead to green up your kitchen and your trash bin. Learn more about the different types of reusable paper towels here.

Find reusable paper towels and microfiber cloths at Grove

#2: Swap harsh chemicals for natural cleaning products and ingredients.

Gone are the days of choosing between eco-friendliness and effectiveness: There’s now an array of natural options to choose from that are tough on dirt but still good for the environment.


From plant-based, synthetic-free concentrates to old standbys like vinegar and baking soda, natural cleaners can tackle anything in the home that conventional brands can. The difference is that natural cleaners don’t contain the thousands of harmful chemicals found in the products you grew up with. They’re also generally biodegradable and less toxic to wildlife and water.

Wan to know more tips on switching to natural cleaners? Read our guide Are Natural Cleaning Products Better? Why You Should Make the Switch.

And browse our best-selling natural cleaners too!

#3: Swap a big collection of specialized cleaners for a handful of multi-purpose cleaning products.

Forget sourcing a separate cleaner for each surface and job in the home. Most natural cleaners can be used in a variety of rooms, meaning less clutter — and chemicals — in the cupboard.


All purpose, multi-surface cleaners work in nearly every room. Combine with a solid floor cleaner, and you’ve got two powerful products that can tackle most everything in a simpler way.


Don't believe us that multitasking products can do the trick? Check out the 9 best all purpose cleaners for the home that are reviewed and rated by Grove members.

Or shop these natural multi-purpose cleaners at Grove

#4: Swap hot-water suds for cold-water laundry.

The days of needing hot water to clean your clothes are long gone. Washing machines and laundry detergents have changed over the years to become far more effective at cooler temperatures. That’s a huge plus, considering about 90% of energy used in a wash goes towards water heating. Not only that, but cold-washed clothes last longer, meaning less fades, stretches, and pills on “brand-new” clothes.


Consider using cold water for everything that’s not intensely stained. It’ll save you hundreds in energy and fashion bills, and it’ll reduce your household’s CO2 emissions. Not convinced? Read about it straight from our Senior Director of Science and Formulation, Clement Choy, Ph.D.


Cold-water laundry is even better for the environment when you use plastic-free detergents, like Grove Co.'s Laundry Soap Sheets. Read more on how they work!

#5: Swap dryer sheets for dryer balls.

A set of 100-percent wool dryer balls does the work of a dryer sheet — and then some. Dryer balls reduce wrinkles and static, as dryer sheets do. But they also create space and keep your clothes separated so they dry faster, which can save a lot of energy over time.


Toss three or four dryer balls in with each load — each one is reusable for up to 1000 loads of laundry! And you can add your favorite essential oil scent directly to the dryer balls. For more dryer ball tips, check out our guide: How to Use Wool Dryer Balls.

Find natural laundry products for your next load

#6: Swap artificial air fresheners for open windows, natural room sprays, or an air purifier.

Do you ever feel your nostrils tickling or tingling when inhaling a big breath of air freshener? That’s because conventional aerosol air fresheners are filled with intense chemicals, many of which are unsafe for humans and pets.


If your air needs refreshing, open your windows to exchange stale indoor air for fresh outdoor air. During seasons when open windows only send in frigid or hot air, use an air purifier to help keep your air fresh.


If you enjoy a fragrant home, you can make it happen without poisonous sprays and potions. Try a natural room spray, essential oil diffuser, or naturally scented soy candles. And read more on natural home fragrances and why they are better for your family (people or furry friends) from the experts at Grove.

Find natural home fragrances right here at Grove

#7: Swap your street shoes for slippers at the door.

There is a reason why “shoes off at the door” is commonplace in many countries around the world. Your shoes track in a massive amount of bacteria from the outside world, along with pesticides, motor oil, pollen, and mold.

For anyone with pets or small children roaming the floor, this is an avoidable hazard if you keep comfy slippers (or flip-flops) at the door, and change into them when you get home. Similarly, give your pets’ paws and fur a quick wipe with a damp microfiber cloth when they come in from outside.


Learn more about the bacteria on your shoes and how to actually clean your shoe soles from our Clean Team experts.

#8: Swap your old vacuum cleaner for one with a high-efficiency filter.

A high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in your vacuum cleaner removes very fine particles from your air at a much higher rate (99.97% of all particles 0.3 microns and larger) than standard filters.


While most common undesirables like dander and pollen are much larger than 0.3 microns, bacteria, pathogens, spores, and some dust are closer to 0.3 microns in size, and many will get trapped in the filter.


Grove Tip: Each time you vacuum, turn your thermostat fan setting to ON, and particles sent airborne by the vacuum will get circulated to the HVAC filter to help keep them out of the air.

#9: Swap your clutter for clean space.

No amount of cleaning or eco-friendly products can substitute for a calming space when it comes to feeling at home when you’re at home. We all know that too much stuff everywhere contributes to stress and anxiety.


So as we contemplate a long, indoor winter, it’s a good time to downsize things to make room for beautiful, calming space. Start with your pantry — we got tips from professional organizer Monica Leed on how to get started.


Then go through your closets, cabinets, drawers, and shelves, and pack up the things you don’t use, need, or love. Take them to your favorite local thrift shop or homeless shelter.

Find eco-friendly storage solutions to help you start organizing

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