When it comes to spring cleaning, your number one goal should be to clear the clutter from your home.  You should also look for ways to go green with your cleaning practices, and there’s no better way to do this than by recycling and using earth-friendly cleaning products.

Get Rid of the Clutter

First and foremost, you need to get rid of the items you don’t use.  But do keep in mind that there are many items you can use for various purposes, and you’ll definitely want to hang onto these.  For example, is your sock drawer full of socks with holes?  If so, you should throw these socks into your cleaning rag drawer; they’ll make for excellent dust rags.  As far as other clothes that you don’t want, make sure to throw them in a tote and drop them off at a local Goodwill store.  You can even donate household items that you no longer want, including lamps, furniture, appliances and just about any type of home decor.

Use Social Media

If you find yourself with items that Goodwill won’t take, you can make a posting on your social media profiles stating that the items are free for pickup.  Simply set them at the end of your driveway and let your friends go through them and take what they want.  Whatever is left over can be taken to the nearest recycling center.

Organize the Items You Kept

Did you find yourself unable to part ways with a few items?  If so, there’s no reason to fret.  Simply organize what you want to keep in totes and put them in a storage room.  If you don’t want to spend money on totes, take empty boxes and wrap them in unused Christmas and birthday wrapping paper.  You could even take old t-shirts and sew them into cloth bags, which are perfect for storing small items like craft supplies. When storing the totes, boxes and bags, make sure to take advantage of vertical storage space by using eco-friendly shelves, which are extremely ideal for both small and large storage rooms.

Vinegar, Baking Soda and Water

Did you know that at the heart of almost all eco-friendly cleaning solutions are three key ingredients — vinegar, water and baking soda?  That’s right!  So next time you need to clean your countertops or even the toilet, make your own spray bottle of cleaner and have at it.  You’ll not only save money but you’ll also be doing Mother Nature a favor by reducing the resources that go toward producing and shipping the products to local stores.

Use and Reuse

If you go through an entire roll of paper towels when cleaning, you aren’t exactly being friendly to Mother Nature.  However when using the same rag you used last time, this goes a long way in reducing waste.  There are many sponges, rags, mops and other cleaning supplies that are made specifically for reuse, so make sure to invest in them.

Spring is almost upon us, and it’s time to get your home clean.

*image by Steve Nodgrass

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