Eco-Friendly Spring Cleaning Tips and Products

The sun is shining, the birds are singing, which means it’s time for spring cleaning! Bust out your trusty broom, grab a garbage bag, and stock up on cleaning supplies. But, before you start shopping for cleaning products, consider swapping some of your old favorites for eco-friendly cleaners. Your family will benefit from fewer chemicals and so will the environment.

Try these eco-friendly spring cleaning tips and products for your home this season and enjoy a fresher, natural clean.

The best eco-friendly cleaning products are made from natural ingredients and do not contain harsh or dangerous chemicals. Check the labels for phrases like all-natural, chemical-free, eco-friendly, and non-toxic. The best options have been certified as “green” by a neutral third party or can be made at home. 

Lemon, baking soda, vinegar, and plain old soap and water are great alternative options for household cleaners.

Avoid products that contain ammonia, nitrogen, or phosphorous. Keep in mind that not only can these chemicals cause skin and eye irritations and breathing problems for your family, but they also end up in the sewage system through the water, where they end up harming aquatic plants and animals.

In addition to using eco-friendly cleaners, there are several easy ways you can reduce your carbon footprint during spring cleaning. Try these eco-friendly spring cleaning ideas this year for a sustainable squeaky-clean season.

Disposable products like paper towels and cleaning wipes are surely convenient, but they pile up quickly and can only be used once. Swap them for microfiber cloths, small towels, or even rags made from old shirts.

You can also switch to paperless statements for utilities and other bills. You will cut back on paper piles that need to be sorted, as well as help out the environment.

Many items around your house can be used multiple times or in different ways. For example, an unused toothbrush can be used for cleaning small spaces and old towels can be sewn into covers for a Swiffer mop. You can also cut sponges in half to make them last twice as long.

Many household cleaners can be made at home, including dishwasher and laundry detergent, and reusable dryer sheets. This will save you money and give you control over what ingredients you use, so you can avoid harmful chemicals such as phosphorus, which is commonly found in dishwasher detergent.

Don’t overlook the potential for using homemade products as problem-solvers, not just regular cleaners. For example, when your drain becomes clogged, you may be tempted to pour something strong and horrible into it to eat away whatever is stuck inside. You can prevent a lot of drain problems by using a drain trap that catches hair before it goes down. If you do have a problem, pour some baking soda into the drain, followed by white vinegar, and block it with the stopper. The mixture will cause a chemical reaction, forcing the blockage to move. Rinse with a pot of boiling water.

Another factor in eco-friendly spring cleaning is your energy usage. Consider ways you can cut back on electricity use over the coming year or find ways to clean that use less energy. For example, hang your clothes to dry instead of running the dryer. Even if you only use this method for bulky items like blankets and bedding, it will make a difference.

You can also cut back on heating and cooling costs in your home by implementing energy-saving techniques like setting a schedule on your thermostat and utilizing your window blinds more effectively. 

Depending on the time and season, your windows may contribute a lot of natural light (lowering your need for indoor lighting), let in extra heat (so you can lower the thermostat), or let heat out (requiring you to raise the thermostat—or helping cool the room). All of these things can be easily regulated using a tilt window blind automation kit. With their energy-saving app feature, your window blinds can sense temperature changes and automatically adjust for you. They also include a solar panel for charging, as well as sunrise and sunset automation.

When you use the best eco-friendly cleaning products, make your chemical-free cleaners, and implement energy-saving strategies, you’ll be a pro at eco-friendly spring cleaning in no time!