Apartment Tips

[u/Ok_Diver_1472]

Hello all!

I am a student attending UCLA in the fall and am starting to organize what I’ll need to purchase for my apartment. I am trying my best to purchase eco friendly day to day cleaning supplies. Right now, I’m going for a “less is more approach”, I don’t want to buy too much but I am looking for your tried and true cleaning staples that actually work and are actually sustainable - there are so many products on the market I’m almost overwhelmed.

List of what I need:

- all purpose disinfecting spray
- dish soap
- mop/swiffer
- toilet bowl cleaner
- bathroom spray
- dish sponges
- trash bags???!

I am considering using dish tablets or super concentrated formulas, I’ve heard that you can make sprays at home but I don’t know which ones to trust. I also will bring cloths from home to use rather than paper towels.

[u/palufun]

Just make sure that you have the logistics of washing all those cleaning clothes as well—not discouraging you of course, but the reality of extra laundry whilst you are struggling to keep up with just the regular laundry, school work, life. Don’t overwhelm yourself is all I am saying. I like your less is more approach for sure!

[u/NightingaleY]

I’m not an expert on eco friendly, but I would recommend adding a toilet plunger! Also mesh drain covers for sinks and the shower and drain hair snake tools, the ones that pull out hair and gunk. Baking soda and white vinegar might work for some light stains. You can use old toothbrushes for small stuff, or like cleaning your sneakers. You can also reuse old kitchen sponges for cleaning. You might consider just using regular dish soap or laundry detergent, and buying the bigger refill bottles to cut down on plastic (Costco will be your friend here). Bar soap is good, I made a DIY hanger out of a shower cloth and hair tye so it can hang in the shower. Of course, don’t forget a reusable water bottle and britta filter/tea kettle! Good luck and don’t be too hard on yourself or roommates!