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cimoreneI think I've mentioned before that I've been increasingly disturbed about the global microplastics problem in the past few years, and started trying to reduce the microplastic pollution going directly from our household into the nearby Baltic Sea (which is somewhat in crisis and at present only a few blocks from here).
I've definitely mentioned that the problem with this is that microfiber cleaning cloths and melamine sponges (sold as Magic Eraser in the US and called Taikasieni in Finland, but also sold under multiple other brand names) are much more effective at scrubbing everything from floors to dishes to mirrors and I've relied on them for years. I've looked into it several times over the years without finding a close replacement; and it's microfiber cleaning that enables a huge decrease in harsh chemical cleaners (microfiber cleaning cloths and hot water are often more effective than soap and water or even than disinfectant cleaners).
The last time I looked into this subject, I learned that microfiber, which is usually polyester, actually can be made of cellulose fibers as well because they, like plastic fibers, are chemically extruded. This is significant because the fabrics made from cellulose are biodegradable. So I then went on a deep google dive trying to find cellulose microfiber cleaning cloths of any kind, but I wasn't able to find anywhere reasonably convenient to buy it or very many mentions of it at all, which was frustrating.
But the other day at the supermarket we saw displays of new green products from Finland's big cleaning company, Sini, including microfiber cloths made of natural fiber! They were displayed with products made from recycled plastic and various types of scrub brushes with natural bristles and wooden handles, so evidently there's a trend to this effect, which is further good news.
Of course, as usual, consumer choice can't solve our environmental problems because the biggest culprits are industrial, and this is the case with plastic, of course, but there's also an insurmountable amount of plastics and plastic fiber fabrics out there on people (they make up the majority of fast fashion and almost all performance sportswear and outdoor gear, for example), so 'boycott plastic' would actually be completely impossible even for private individuals in today's society with today's infrastructure. So I'm not trying to solve the issue or hoping that encouraging people to use cellulose microfiber will make a substantial difference in microplastic pollution, here. I'm just concerned with the choices we can make in our house to avoid knowingly causing avoidable harm and possibly reducing the amount of microplastic we, our pets, and the animals in our yard are ingesting and inhaling.
I've definitely mentioned that the problem with this is that microfiber cleaning cloths and melamine sponges (sold as Magic Eraser in the US and called Taikasieni in Finland, but also sold under multiple other brand names) are much more effective at scrubbing everything from floors to dishes to mirrors and I've relied on them for years. I've looked into it several times over the years without finding a close replacement; and it's microfiber cleaning that enables a huge decrease in harsh chemical cleaners (microfiber cleaning cloths and hot water are often more effective than soap and water or even than disinfectant cleaners).
The last time I looked into this subject, I learned that microfiber, which is usually polyester, actually can be made of cellulose fibers as well because they, like plastic fibers, are chemically extruded. This is significant because the fabrics made from cellulose are biodegradable. So I then went on a deep google dive trying to find cellulose microfiber cleaning cloths of any kind, but I wasn't able to find anywhere reasonably convenient to buy it or very many mentions of it at all, which was frustrating.
But the other day at the supermarket we saw displays of new green products from Finland's big cleaning company, Sini, including microfiber cloths made of natural fiber! They were displayed with products made from recycled plastic and various types of scrub brushes with natural bristles and wooden handles, so evidently there's a trend to this effect, which is further good news.
Of course, as usual, consumer choice can't solve our environmental problems because the biggest culprits are industrial, and this is the case with plastic, of course, but there's also an insurmountable amount of plastics and plastic fiber fabrics out there on people (they make up the majority of fast fashion and almost all performance sportswear and outdoor gear, for example), so 'boycott plastic' would actually be completely impossible even for private individuals in today's society with today's infrastructure. So I'm not trying to solve the issue or hoping that encouraging people to use cellulose microfiber will make a substantial difference in microplastic pollution, here. I'm just concerned with the choices we can make in our house to avoid knowingly causing avoidable harm and possibly reducing the amount of microplastic we, our pets, and the animals in our yard are ingesting and inhaling.
(no subject)
Date: 21 Jun 2020 10:48 pm (UTC)