Green Spring Cleaning

Flowers are blooming, the sun is shining, and your bathroom… well, it’s looking less than fresh. The time for Spring Cleaning has arrived and it’s the perfect time to green your cleaning routine. With numerous eco-friendly options available, eco-friendly cleaning is better for the environment and will provide a healthier, easier, and not so toxic way to clean your home.

Top 5 Green Tips

1. Go Natural

The chemicals found in standard ‘cleaners’ may disinfect, but can also linger in the air and build up in our bodies. The EPA has found that indoor air in a typical U.S. home is an alarming 2-5 times more polluted than outdoor air. Natural ingredients such as baking soda, vinegar and botanicals work just as well as conventional toxic cleaners.

2. Skimp on Supplies

Instead of getting crazy with paper towels and one-use wipes, look for multi-use alternatives. Washable cloths or natural sponges have great longevity and newspapers work great for streak and lint-free windows. Go for multi-purpose cleaners that will clean more than one kind of surface.

3. One's Trash is Another's Treasure

A study by the EPA has found that 2-5% of all waste is reusable, which adds up to a whopping 3.9 – 9.8 million tons of waste per year. As you clear house, figure out what can be donated to charitable organizations, recycled, or given to someone who can use it.

4. Get Some Fresh Air

Carpets, wood varnish, furniture surfaces, and paint can put some funky stuff in our indoor air. Houseplants can battle these foes while brightening up a room. Some of the most effective varieties are aloe (a plus in the kitchen for burns), gerbera daisies and orchids.

5. Invest in Green Appliances

When it’s time to replace your appliances, choose greener alternatives. You can upgrade to a bag-less vacuum cleaner (like the Dyson, which also uses less power, or the water-based Rainbow), buy an eco-conscious washer/dryer, and energy efficient dishwasher.