Apr 6, 2010 Posted by denice johnson on Apr 6, 2010 in life | 0 comments

eco-friendly spring cleaning

Spring has sprung! Windows are open to the sound of chirpybirds in the morning and children riding their bikes until the streetlights come on at night. This change of season brings with it new found energy and enthusiasm. For many of us, this enthusiasm translates into a good Spring Cleaning! As you plan your seasonal tidy, consider these eco-friendly ideas:

Water. There are a lot of fancy cleaners on the market. Some are safe for the environment but what could be safer than water? On its own or combined with other common household products, water is an effective way to keep your home clean. Here are some of my favorite ways to use water around my home:

Water and vinegar are by far the best solution I’ve found for cleaning my glass kitchen table. Not only was I concerned about their toxicity of commercial glass cleaners, but they also didn’t work. I now wipe the table with a water and vinegar solution and dry with a towel afterward.

Water, vinegar and grapefruit juice. I do this when someone in the house eats a fresh grapefruit. There is invariably a small amount of juice left to squeeze into my bottle of water and vinegar. This adds not only a lovely light scent but the acidity of the grapefruit also offers a grease-cutting element. Obviously, adding too much juice will only make things sticky, which isn’t what you want. The idea here is to add just enough without going overboard. Lemon juice is also very effective in this regard.

Baking soda! Adding baking soda to water gives it a slightly abrasive quality, which is great for scrubbing bathrooms or kitchen counters. Combining it with vinegar causes the baking soda bubble. This is great for cleaning drains. I drop a few spoonfuls into the drain before adding vinegar. I do this once a month to help keep the drains running smoothly without causing any harm to the environment

If you’d rather use a store bought product, I recommend those from Method. They work and are kind to the environment. I especially like their pink grapefruit dish soap, the eucalyptus and mint tub ‘n tile cleaner and the y’lang y’lang daily shower spray.

Yard Sale! You know for sure it’s spring when you see your neighbour ride away on his bike before 9am on a Saturday morning. He’s off to find some deals. You can make some serious cash by holding a garage sale to sell the things you want to get rid of. It might seem like no one would want the stuff you’ve got but, in truth, the funkier your collection, the better. I’ve been at garage sales where people made thousands on things you would never imagine anyone would buy. Clothes, toys and books are huge garage sale items. Just remember to donate whatever you don’t sell rather than sending it to the landfill.

Donate.
Clothing
You’re faced with a pile of old clothes. Some don’t fit (most probably because you lost weight! awesome!) and some are just old. You think to yourself, “Who would want this stuff, I don’t want it.” The dress with the small gravy stain on the sleeve, the jeans with the tattered bottoms that have been dragging on the ground every time you wear them. It might seem like they’re better off in the trash.

Wait! Before you toss them into a landfill, give donation a second thought. While it’s true that well used, ratty items aren’t the best to consider donating, gently used clothing and toys are well received and appreciated. For some people the stain on that sleeve won’t matter. And jeans look better with character!

Toys
Daycares, doctor’s offices, hospitals and shelters are excellent places to consider donating any safe and clean no longer needed toys.

Books and Magazines
Again, clinics and hospitals often accept donation of books and especially magazines. Shelters and hospices are also a good place to consider contacting about making a drop-off. Books and magazines are also great for passing along to friends and family. We have a group on my street who shares several magazine subscriptions. No one ever goes without something to read and when we’re done with them here we continue to share with others before they make their way to the recycle depot.

Repurpose. This is one of my favorites. So may things can be repurposed. Old T-shirts which are honestly too stained or smelly to donate work well ripped up for rags. Old dishtowels are sent to the rag pile as well. Retired blankets get their turn at picnics or for laying out in the back yard and worn tablecloths move from the dining room table to the floor or ground for picnics and playtime. Many things can have a second life before moving on to their eventual resting place.

Spring cleaning is a great way to embrace the feelings of renewal inspired by this change of season. It’s easier than ever to refresh your home while respecting the planet. Enjoy your your spring cleaning and feel good about what you’re doing to help the environment at the same time.