Spring is finally here, and there's nothing like a good deep clean to shake off the winter blues and welcome in the new season. However, with so many traditional cleaning products available, it's too easy to forget about their effects on the environment and our health. If you're someone like us who values a clean home and the environment simultaneously, finding effective yet green substitutes for conventional cleaning products is crucial. That's why, in this article, we'll go over some practical tips on how to clean your home the eco-friendly way!
Ditch Traditional Cleaning Supplies
Did you know that most conventional cleaning products contain chemicals that may be hazardous to your health and the ecosystem? For instance, many popular home cleaners contain harsh chemicals like ammonia and bleach that are poisonous if ingested or inhaled. They often contribute to indoor air pollution, harming those with asthma or respiratory issues. Although the physical safety of your home is a huge priority, when choosing cleaners, you need to consider your physical health too. Even when you don't consume them and instead just flush them down the toilet, these products can end up in waterways and have a horrible environmental impact.
Not to forget, their manufacturing requires a significant amount of resources and energy. And, when you finish using them, since they're not recyclable, the packaging of these products often ends up in landfills, further polluting our planet.
Eco-Friendly Cleaning Alternatives
First, you must use green alternatives to traditional cleaning products to pull off green spring cleaning. So, switch your countertop cleaner with some diluted vinegar and start scrubbing. Use baking soda paste to remove stains, unclog drains and deodorize carpets. Believe it or not, these alternatives can be as effective and often even less expensive.
Instead of purchasing new cloths each time you need to clean your home, get some microfiber cloths. They're reusable and can be used and washed over and over again. And, if you need more cloths, consider using your old shirts or teared-up bedding to wipe the dust off your shelves or wash your windows. When it comes to cleaning your home the eco-friendly way, there's nothing more eco-friendly than reusing and upcycling. Throwing away your old cleaning products because they're not green isn't a good solution since you'll still be creating unnecessary waste.
Adopt Other Green Practices
If you want to clean your home the eco-friendly way, it's not enough to just have green supplies. There's slightly more to it, like these sustainable cleaning practices that will further reduce your environmental impact:
Reducing Waste
As we already said, using all products is very important until they're empty. Don't just jump to buy a new cleaning product because it's new and green when you haven't yet used up all your home products. That will help you avoid overconsumption or creating unnecessary waste. Regarding brooms and mops, look for sustainable and durable materials like bamboo or recycled plastic. Everything that can be reused should be reused.
It's a similar logic to when you're packing for a move. According to experts at hnmovers.com, it's much more environmentally friendly to get used boxes from a store than to purchase brand-new boxes and then throw them away after one use.
Choose Energy-Efficient Appliances
When it comes time to replace your cleaning appliances, choose water-saving and electricity-saving versions that are energy-efficient; this goes for all your appliances. For instance, a high-efficiency washing machine uses less water and energy than a conventional one. That saves you money on electricity costs while having a minor negative effect on the environment. Or, if your AC needs repairs or replacing, opt for a more energy-efficient and eco-friendly option rather than the cheapest option on the market. While it might cost less initially, it will save you money in the long run.
Avoid Over-Cleaning
While maintaining a clean and orderly house is essential, going overboard with the cleaning can harm the environment. That is because, even in small quantities, cleaning products can discharge dangerous substances into the atmosphere and waterways. Use fewer cleaning products than required and only clean when necessary to reduce impact.
It's one thing to clean your home deeply before you move into a new place. It's another to scrub your entire home daily with cleaning products. The first is to make your new place safe by disinfecting it, while the other is over-cleaning and using too many products.
Green Spring Cleaning
If you want to clean your home the eco-friendly way, the first thing you need to do is to declutter. Sort through your possessions and dispose of anything you no longer need by recycling or donating. Aside from boosting your home decor, this will also benefit your mental health. It's been proven that cluttered spaces harm the mind.
Then, once it's time to clean, go room by room. Start with one at a time and concentrate on thorough cleaning. Use eco-friendly and sustainable cleaning supplies to make everything appear and smell new. Cleanse and refresh the air in your house by using natural air fresheners or essential oils.
Final Thoughts
As we head into spring cleaning season, let's take this opportunity to make positive changes in our cleaning routines. Let's purge our houses of clutter, load up on eco-friendly cleaning supplies, and adopt green cleaning techniques. Doing this can improve the ecosystem for ourselves and future generations. Remember, you don't have to make all these adjustments at once. If you want to clean your home the eco-friendly way, it's okay to start small. Don't be afraid to make small steps and move at your own pace. Ultimately, even the most minor changes can make a huge difference!
