Spring cleaning doesn't mean buying more, it means using less. Most cleaning cupboards are full of single-use, synthetic or overpackaged products we don't actually need. This guide covers 10 common cleaning cupboard staples, from fabric softener to carpet deodoriser, and shares simple, toxin-free, zero-waste swaps we use instead at Go For Zero.

Key Takeaways

• Most cleaning cupboards are cluttered with single-use or synthetic products that duplicate what a few simple staples can already do.
• Bicarb soda and white vinegar can replace fabric softener, oven cleaner and carpet deodoriser powder.
• Reusable options like wool dryer balls, cloths and natural-fibre scrubbers cut down on plastic and ongoing cost.
• A few concentrated, multi-use products can replace several single-purpose bottles at once.

Spring is the perfect time to open your cleaning cupboard and ask what's actually earning its spot in there. Chances are, half of it isn't. A lot of what we're taught to stock up on each season, from fabric softener to a fresh box of dryer sheets, is stuff you simply don't need.

So instead of another spring cleaning haul, let's do the opposite: a toxin-free, zero-waste declutter.

Here are 10 things worth clearing out of your cleaning cupboard, and what we reach for instead.

1. Do You Really Need Fabric Softener?

Not really, and it's one of the easiest swaps to make. Bicarb soda works beautifully as a softener alternative. Add ¼ to ½ cup of bicarbonate of soda directly into the washing machine drum with your clothes, then wash as normal. It helps neutralise odours and can be useful if hard water is behind that stiff, scratchy feeling in your laundry.

White vinegar is probably the best-known DIY fabric softener, too. Add around ¼ to ½ cup of plain white vinegar to the fabric softener compartment for the rinse cycle (never pour it directly onto clothing). It helps remove detergent residue, which is often what makes fabric feel stiff in the first place.

One honest warning here. Some washing machine manufacturers advise against regular vinegar use, because repeated exposure to acid may affect certain rubber components over time. Always check your machine's care instructions first, and if in doubt, bicarb is the gentle everyday option!

2. Are Dryer Sheets Actually Necessary?

If you can hang your washing in the sun, always do. It's free, it uses zero electricity, and it's always our first choice when the weather plays along.

When the dryer is needed, we use reusable wool dryer balls instead of dryer sheets. They help separate clothes and improve airflow, which can decrease drying time and reduce the energy your dryer uses. Missing that fresh laundry scent? Add a few drops of your favourite essential oil to the dryer balls and let it absorb before popping them in.

And remember, sunshine when we can, dryer balls when we can't. 

3. What Can Replace Liquid Laundry and Dishwashing Detergent?

Why buy a big bottle of liquid detergent that's already mixed with water when you have water at home? Our Go For Zero Dish & Laundry Block is concentrated and water-free, so you're paying for the actual cleaning product, not the water or another plastic bottle.

It works out cheap, too. Our 300g block gives you around 150 loads of washing. Just grate a heaped teaspoon straight into your machine and wash as normal. Even better, it's a 4-in-1 block, so the same one can be used for laundry, dishes, handwashing and even a cleaning spray. Less water. Less packaging. Fewer products cluttering the cupboard! 

Incase you missed it, our sustainable spring cleaning sale has officially started and you can grab our zero-waste dish and laundry block for 15% off here! 

4. Do You Need Scented Room and Linen Sprays?

We always skip synthetic fragrance. Did you know the word "fragrance" or "parfum" on a label can represent a mixture of many different chemicals bundled together as a trade secret, and for some people, those blends can trigger skin irritation or sensitivities.

If we want our home beautiful, we keep it simple. A few drops of essential oil in a banksia pod diffuser does the job without the mystery ingredient list. We also love to make our own linen and room sprays with a splash of witch hazel, distilled water and a few drops of essential oil, kept in one of our amber glass spray bottles. You can find the simple recipe here!

5. What Works Instead of Magic Erasers?

Magic erasers are made from melamine foam, a plastic-based material that slowly wears away as you scrub, releasing tiny microplastic fibres as it goes (nooo thank you). So we prefer a simple and natural bicarb paste for removing everyday marks and grime.

Easy bicarb cleaning paste:

Step 1:  Mix 2 tablespoons of bicarb soda with 1 tablespoon of water

Step 2: Apply with a damp reusable cloth, gently scrub, and wipe clean.

Tip: For tougher jobs, pair it with a natural-fibre sponge with scrubber or bamboo cleaning brush.

6. Are Plastic Sponges and Scrubbers Really a Problem?

You know those colourful, smiley-face sponges? Cute, yes. But they're made from plastic, and they wear down every time you use them, contributing to microplastic pollution in our waterways... not cute! 

Instead, opt for a natural-fibre sponges, reusable cloths and bamboo cleaning brushes instead. They do the job just as well, without adding another plastic product to the cupboard.

When your natural cleaning brush or sponge is old or worn, give it a second life scrubbing shower grout, cleaning muddy shoes, or pop it straight into your compost or garden bed.

7. Do You Still Need Paper Towel?

Paper towel is convenient, but for most spills and everyday cleaning jobs, you really don't need something you use once and throw away. We love the Planet Revive reusable unpaper towels, they're lovingly handmade right here in Australia, and the Good Change reusable bamboo towels, where one roll replaces up to 65 rolls of single-use paper towel (yes, really). 

Right now our Planet Revive unpaper towels are 10% off, so it's a great time to make the swap!

8. What's the Best Natural Stain Remover?

Vanish, Sard, OMO, stain sprays, stain pens. You really don't need a different product filled with harsh chemicals for every single stain.

For everyday or tough stains, we use our Go For Zero Stain Remover Stick. Wet the stain and the stick with cold water, rub it in, and wash as normal. We've used it on oil, sweat, blood, tinted sunscreen, ink and even to clean white sneakers. For soaking, we reach for the Downunder Wash Co Stain Remover Powder. It's an oxygen-based stain remover made with sodium percarbonate, and it's great for stubborn stains, whites, cloth nappies, period underwear and giving laundry a deeper soak. 

One for everyday stains, one for the really stubborn stuff. No cupboard full of stain sprays needed. You can learn more about our natural stain removers here.

Our Go For Zero stain remover stick is currently 15% off, grab one here!

9. Is Oven Cleaner Worth Keeping in the Cupboard?

Commercial oven cleaners are some of the harshest products in the average cleaning cupboard. Once again, a bicarb paste (roughly ½ cup bicarb soda with a little water, thick enough to spread) left to sit on grease and grime for a few hours, or overnight for tougher build-up, does most of the work for you. Wipe it away with a damp cloth, and use a natural-fibre scrubber on any stubborn spots.

It takes a little patience, but theres no fumes or gloves required and no harsh chemical residue near left in an appliance thats used to cook your food (winning). 

10. Do You Need a Separate Carpet Deodoriser Powder?

Not when bicarb is already in your cupboard. Sprinkle it over carpets and rugs, let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes to absorb any smells (or longer for stronger odours), then vacuum it up for fresh smelling carpets. 

Hot tip: Add a few drops of your favourite essential oil to the bicarb before sprinkling if you want a light scent as you go.

Cleaning Cupboard Swap Summary

A Small Spring Reset

We're not saying you need to throw out everything in your cupboard today. Progress over perfection is always the goal here. But next time something runs out, that's your moment to choose a simpler, lower-waste and toxin-free swap instead of restocking the same product. Ten fewer bottles, sprays and sponges is still ten fewer things cluttering your cupboard, your budget and the planet. 

If any of these swaps are calling your name, we're making it a little easier this week with a Sustainable Spring Cleaning Sale across a few of our favourites:

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I use instead of fabric softener?

Bicarb soda added to the wash drum, or a splash of white vinegar in the rinse compartment, both work as natural fabric softener alternatives. Check your washing machine's manual before using vinegar regularly, as some manufacturers advise against it.

Are wool dryer balls actually worth it?

Yes. They help separate laundry in the dryer, improve airflow and can reduce drying time, which means less energy used per load. You can also add essential oil to them for a light, natural scent.

Is bicarb soda safe for cleaning ovens and cupboards?

Generally yes, but it is mildly abrasive. Always patch test on a small area first and avoid delicate or easily scratched surfaces.

Do magic erasers contain plastic?

Yes, most magic erasers are made from melamine foam, a plastic-based material that wears down and sheds microplastic fibres as you scrub.

What's a natural alternative to store-bought stain remover?

A stain stick used directly on the stain before washing works well for everyday marks, and an oxygen-based stain remover powder (containing sodium percarbonate) is effective for tougher stains and soaking.