This year, improve your housework routine with eco-friendly spring cleaning tips. Spring is the time to wash, dust, purge, and replace unwanted items in your home. Normally you may reach for conventional cleaning supplies, but consider their impact on the environment and your health. Forgo the chemicals, excess energy, and waste from plastics and paper.
Below, we’ll share five eco-friendly spring cleaning tips to invest in this season as you put your house in order. These tips are simple to follow and are sure to become part of your yearly cleaning routine, leaving you with a smaller environmental footprint.
Top 5 Eco-Friendly Spring Cleaning Tips for A Sparkling Home
Create Natural Cleaning Solutions
Eliminate toxic chemicals that can affect your health as they circulate in the air and linger on surfaces. You can easily create cleaning products for windows, counters, furniture, and floors with everyday items, such as lemons, white vinegar, baking soda, and even Castille soap. Baking soda is excellent for deodorizing. White vinegar breaks down grease. Lemons freshen the air. Fill a spray bottle ⅔ of the way full and add some lemon peels, and let it sit for a few days. You’ll love the fresh scent, and the vinegar odor will dissipate quickly. Not in a DIY mood? There are natural, non-toxic products available, so look for them the next time you shop.
Utilize Old Clothing and Towels for Rags
Instead of using paper towels, which quickly produce waste, consider reusing old clothing you won’t donate or sell. Keep them away from the landfill by cutting them into rags for cleaning. If you don’t have old clothing to turn into rags, choose reusable towels, such as those made from sustainable bamboo. You can wash these towels and use them several times before discarding. We also love flour sack towels and reach for them before the paper towels!
Let Windows Serve As A Natural Air Freshener
Outdoor air and plants are the perfect way to freshen up and improve the air quality in your home. With the sun out and warm temperatures, it’s ideal to open the windows, even doors, and let the pleasant breeze in. Add some bright flowers and greenery to oxygenate your home as well, such as mums, orchids, and philodendrons. Find your linens are a bit musty after the winter? Let them sit in the sun for a few hours. This is also a great way to help clear certain stains!
Minimize Water Usage
While cleaning, it’s easy to waste water without realizing. To reduce water waste, don’t leave the faucets or pipes running as you clean. Repair any leaky faucets once you identify them. Consider installing a low-flow toilet or shower head to reduce water output. And only run your washing machines, and the dishwasher, when you have a full load. Check with the county or city where you live, and with your water provider – they’ll often have free tools and incentives to help with this endeavor!
Limit Vacuum Use
The vacuum is a convenient cleaning equipment, but it does use tons of energy. Instead of relying on the vacuum to clean your floors, reserve it for areas that are heavily soiled or difficult to reach with a broom, such as corners. Use your mop or broom more. A broom with natural bristles easily grabs debris. You can also take rugs and mats outside for a good shake. Bonus – you get in a bit of an arm workout!
How to Enjoy Spring Cleaning This Season and Beyond
Enjoy your eco-friendly spring cleaning in a home and community you love. Craftmark Homes has been delivering dream homes to happy new owners since 1991. We build stunning townhomes and awe-inspiring estate homes in beloved community locations throughout Maryland and Northern Virginia.
Known for our quality craftsmanship, luxurious included features, and versatile home designs, you’ll enjoy every aspect of your new home, including the spring cleaning.
Contact us today to start a new spring cleaning routine in a brand new Craftmark home, and explore our quick move-ins to see where you can live today.
