Plastic Free July: 15 Days to Create a Healthier Home and Planet
Simple Eco-Friendly Cleaning Habits for Families in Roseville, Rocklin, Lincoln & South Placer County
There is something wonderfully empowering about realizing that one small choice can make a meaningful difference.
Choosing a reusable shopping bag.
Refilling a spray bottle instead of buying another plastic one.
Replacing paper towels with washable cloths.
Switching from harsh chemical cleaners to simple, plant-based ingredients.
Individually these choices may seem small.
Collectively, they help create healthier homes, healthier communities, and a healthier planet.
Halfway through the month is the perfect time to start something meaningful. As of July 17(today), there are still 15 days left in Plastic Free July—15 days to build new habits, reduce single-use plastics, and discover how small changes can make a lasting impact.
At Om Sweet Om Cleaning, we often say that creating a healthy home isn't about perfection.
It's about intention.
Your home is more than a place to sleep. It's where your family gathers, where children grow, where memories are made, and where your body should have the opportunity to rest, heal, and thrive.
Every thoughtful choice you make contributes to that environment.
Whether you replace one disposable item or completely transform your cleaning routine, every step matters.
What Is Plastic Free July?
Plastic Free July™ began in 2011 as a simple challenge encouraging people to refuse single-use plastics for one month.
Today, it has grown into one of the world's largest environmental movements, with more than 170 million participants across over 190 countries.
Its mission is beautifully simple:
Help millions of people reduce plastic waste through small, everyday choices.
Rather than focusing on guilt or perfection, Plastic Free July encourages progress.
Start with one habit.
Then another.
Before long, those small habits become part of everyday life.
We love this philosophy because it mirrors how we approach healthy homes.
A healthier home isn't created in a single afternoon.
It's built one mindful habit at a time.
Why Plastic Matters Inside Our Homes
When most people think about plastic pollution, they picture oceans filled with floating bottles or beaches covered in litter.
But plastic affects our homes, too.
Many everyday cleaning products come packaged in single-use plastic bottles and often contain ingredients that aren't particularly kind to our indoor environment.
Some products also contain:
synthetic fragrances
unnecessary dyes
preservatives
petroleum-based ingredients
harsh solvents
plastic microbeads (still found in some products worldwide)
Over time, those bottles accumulate in our recycling bins—or worse, our landfills.
At Om Sweet Om Cleaning, we believe true cleanliness is about much more than making surfaces shine.
It's about creating a home that supports your family's well-being while being thoughtful about our impact on the environment.
Our philosophy has always been:
Clean home. Calm mind. Healthy living.
Why Eco-Friendly Cleaning Goes Beyond "Green"
Many products today advertise themselves as "green."
Unfortunately, green labels don't always tell the whole story.
Some products still:
arrive in disposable plastic packaging
contain unnecessary synthetic ingredients
use concentrated dyes and fragrances
generate additional household waste
A truly sustainable cleaning routine considers the entire life cycle of a product:
✔ How is it packaged?
✔ Can it be refilled?
✔ Does it reduce waste?
✔ Is it safe for people and pets?
✔ Does it protect indoor air quality?
✔ Does it actually clean effectively?
These are the same questions we ask whenever we evaluate products for Om Sweet Om Cleaning.
Because healthy homes deserve thoughtful choices.
Only 15 Days Left… and That's Plenty of Time
If you're reading this after July 17th, don't think you've missed your opportunity.
In fact, this is a wonderful time to begin.
You don't need to replace everything in your home overnight.
One of the most sustainable things you can do is simply use what you already own before replacing it with a more eco-friendly option.
Throwing away perfectly usable plastic containers just to buy something new creates unnecessary waste.
Instead:
Finish your current cleaning products.
Refill bottles whenever possible.
Repurpose glass jars for storage.
Reuse spray bottles for homemade or concentrated cleaners.
Choose refill systems the next time you shop.
Progress—not perfection—is the goal.
Plastic-Free Tip #1: Refill Instead of Replace
Refill, Don't Replace
One of the easiest ways to reduce plastic waste is to reuse the containers you already have.
A quality glass bottle or durable reusable spray bottle can last for years. Instead of purchasing another single-use plastic bottle every month, simply refill it with:
Concentrated cleaning products
Homemade vinegar solutions (for appropriate surfaces)
Plant-based multi-purpose cleaners
Diluted castile soap solutions (where appropriate)
Refilling not only keeps plastic out of landfills—it also saves money over time and reduces the energy and resources required to manufacture new packaging.
Support Our Local Refill Stores
At Om Sweet Om Cleaning, we love supporting local businesses that make sustainable living easier. If you're looking to refill your favorite household and personal care products, we encourage you to visit one of these wonderful local refill shops:
Folsom: Good Human Refillery
Sacramento: Refill Madness, NUDGE Eco Store & Ecojoyous
Auburn: Rutherford Reserve
These shops make it simple to bring in your own containers and refill everything from hand soap and laundry detergent to all-purpose cleaners and personal care products. It's a small habit that makes a meaningful difference—for your home, your wallet, and our planet.
Every bottle you refill is one less bottle that needs to be manufactured, transported, and eventually discarded. Small choices, repeated over time, create lasting change.
Plastic-Free Tip #2: Replace Disposable Wipes
Disposable disinfecting wipes have become incredibly popular.
Unfortunately, many are made with plastic fibers that don't readily break down in the environment.
Instead, consider switching to:
washable microfiber cloths
cotton cleaning cloths
reusable mop pads
Pair them with a quality eco-friendly cleaner and simply toss them into the laundry after use.
You'll reduce waste while often achieving a better clean.
Plastic-Free Tip #3: Skip Paper Towels More Often
Paper towels certainly have their place.
But for everyday cleaning, reusable cloths are often far more effective.
At Om Sweet Om Cleaning, we rely heavily on high-quality microfiber cloths and reusable cleaning cloths because they play an essential role in both eco-friendly cleaning and Small Particle Cleaning (SPC). The split fibers in microfiber are designed to trap and hold microscopic dust, allergens, mold fragments, and other tiny particles—including the micro-toxins that can affect individuals with environmental sensitivities—rather than simply moving them around the surface.
High-quality microfiber cloths:
Trap significantly more dust, allergens, and microscopic particles
Help capture mold fragments and other micro-toxins during Small Particle Cleaning
Remove more bacteria using less cleaning product
Reduce waste by replacing disposable paper towels
Last for hundreds of wash cycles when properly cared for
It's one of the simplest and most effective sustainable swaps you can make—for a cleaner home, healthier indoor air, and a lower environmental footprint.
Plastic-Free Tip #4: Choose Solid Soaps
Liquid soap is mostly water transported in a plastic bottle.
Solid dish bars, like the Essentially Om Dish Bar, eliminate much of the unnecessary plastic packaging that comes with traditional liquid soaps.
Today, you can find beautiful solid alternatives for:
Or, if you'd like it to flow into a list:
One simple way to reduce plastic waste is by switching to solid products. Solid bars—such as the Essentially Om Dish Bar—eliminate much of the unnecessary plastic packaging found in conventional household products. Today, you can find beautiful solid versions of:
Dish soap (like the Essentially Om Dish Bar
Shampoo
Conditioner
Body wash
Hand soap
Lotion bars
Facial cleansers
Shaving bars
Plastic-Free Tip #5: Build a Refill Station
Imagine opening one cabinet and finding neatly labeled refill containers instead of dozens of half-empty bottles.
A refill station can include:
laundry powder
dish soap concentrate
all-purpose cleaner concentrate
glass cleaner
hand soap refills
At Om Sweet Om Cleaning, we believe every cleaning ritual is an opportunity to care for both your home and the world beyond your front door. Every reusable cloth, refillable bottle, and thoughtful purchase becomes part of a larger journey toward healthier living.
Whether you're making simple plastic-free swaps on your own or looking for an eco-friendly cleaning company that already embraces sustainable practices, every step toward reducing waste makes a difference.
Together, these small, intentional choices create something much bigger—a home that feels healthier, more peaceful, and more harmonious for the people who live there. And the journey doesn't end here. There are even more simple ways to reduce plastic, minimize toxins, and create a home that supports both your family's well-being and the beautiful community we share.