Eco-friendly Cleaning Tips #2

Melting snow and the shedding of wintery layers are a few of the wonderful things that greet the arrival of spring.

We welcome the changing season as temperatures warm into the double digits and brighter days are filled with bustling birdsong and a crisp, freshness in the air.

So why not let that beautiful outdoor breeze in?

We’ve listed below some spring cleaning tips to help you revitalize your home with a touch of eco-friendliness.

Here’s hoping these tips get your cleaning vibes going!

Use Green Products

Using eco-friendly cleaning products has a massive impact on the environment. Opt for biodegradable equivalents or create your own mixes with vinegar or baking soda.

Air fresheners can contain harsh, undisclosed chemicals. Soya and beeswax candles and indoor plants, such as a parlour palm, do wonders keeping the air clean.

Bonus points to anyone who chooses washing liquid that works with cold water. Check the label on the packaging and for lightly soiled items, cold water washes clean just as well, while saving you money and reducing your carbon footprint.

Minimize Single-Use Cleaning Items

Do away with surface wipes that are one-use only. Although many are biodegradable, they still need to be produced, packaged and disposed of in the landfill. You can skip all these steps and opt for a reusable cotton or bamboo cloth.

Fair trade and natural rubber gloves are a great longer term investment too.

Hang Clothes to Dry Outside

You can reduce your carbon footprint and safe money by hanging your clothes outside to dry when the sun is out and the wind is blowing.

When your clothes are dry, you’ll be bringing a little bit of that outdoor freshness back inside. Win, win!

Repurpose or Donate Unused Items

Some well-loved and well-used clothing can be repurposed for cleaning. Can’t use that old t-shirt that’s seen better days? Cut it up into smaller pieces to use as cleaning clothes.

Freecycle.org is an online community where people can connect with others to reuse and exchange unwanted items at no cost. Select you nearest city and start ‘freecycling’ now!

Familiarize Yourself with Recycling

Improper or ‘wishful’ recycling isn’t always the best approach to recycling difficult items. Check with your local recycling centre about what can and can’t be recycled.

Your best bet is to separate items into their proper categories—following what is listed as appropriate items ensures that the items you’re recycling will have the best chance of seeing another chance in life.

Contaminated items are difficult to recycle. It’s best to wash tin cans and jars and if cardboard is soiled in any way (we’re talking about you, oil and cheese stained pizza boxes), it’s best to send them to the land fill. Or better yet, cut them up and place them in the compost bin for your wormy friends.

Set up a Compost

With those days of planting in full swing, why not nourish your plants with vitamins and minerals already around the house and garden?

There are many ways to compost from burying kitchen scraps directly into the ground to a more involved system such a compost bin of any shape and size.

Depending on where you live, familiarize yourself with making your compost system wildlife proof (so bears and raccoons can’t rob you of your nutritional compost to be).