Green Your Spring Cleaning
OK, so its not technically spring just yet. But the warm weather that hit most of the U.S. over the weekend had me itching to clean out the cobwebs, throw open the windows, and wave bye-bye to winter. And as part of this month’s Green Moms Carnival, I’ve joined up with other eco-savvy mamas to talk about green spring cleaning. Here’s how its done:
Reduce: The first step in cleaning is to get rid of all of that stuff that’s just in your way every day. Declutter your house by going from room to room and getting rid of stuff that you no longer need. (It’s just collecting dust anyhow!) Click here for info on donating everything from clothes to computers to eyeglasses.
Reuse: As you’re cleaning, don’t fill up your trash can with paper towels and single use wipes. Use cloth rags, old dishtowels, or cut up a ratty t-shirt to get your cleaning done with less waste.
Rethink: I’m not sure when we became convinced as a society that we need to spend tons of money on toxic chemicals packaged in wasteful plastic bottles in order to clean our homes. Vinegar and baking soda make a cleaner so powerful it will cut through any grease and grime your kids can throw at it. And lemon juice is a natural disinfectant that will easy clean germs and other gunk from countertops, door handles, and toilet seats. Click here to learn more about making your own green cleaners.
This month’s Green Moms Carnival is hosted by Tiny Choices, be sure to head over there to check out what other green moms have to say about greening your spring cleaning.
Love the photo! Do you think I’d enjoy cleaning any more if I wore a dress?
It’s not just the dress that makes cleaning look appealing - it’s the pose and the hand gestures. Oh, and the juxtaposition of those yellow plastic gloves with the pink sponge! That artistic impression makes me want to jump out of bed in the morning and race to clean my oven. Am I brainwashed? I love your simple tips for these dirty jobs.
I like you three Rs for this spring! Rethink is a great one to keep in mind.
You really have good tips on how to clean stuffs inside and out of your house. These great 3 points of yours is really an effective ways to eliminate dirt. Using of used cloth to wipe away dirt is one way to save up tissues and wipes. Take away your stuffs which are no longer in use but think first if you can still donate it to others, they might need it. Go with GREEN!
You really have good tips on how to clean stuffs inside and out of your house. These great 3 points of yours is really an effective ways to eliminate dirt. Using of used cloth to wipe away dirt is one way to save up tissues and wipes. Take away your stuffs which are no longer in use but think first if you can still donate it to others, they might need it. Go with GREEN!
BTW I love your blog!
Love the donate everything. Why let stuff clutter up your house? Jenn, what is Micaela talking about? Doesn’t everyone wear a dress when they clean? With pearls too and of course high heels.
LOL!!!
I LOVE that photo. I look just like that!
I’d like to make you aware of a new company that distributes a multiple enzyme based cleaning line for the home. This stuff is AMAZING, totally chemical free and the same prices as regular cleaners. I’d love to hear opinions on it. I love that the company even ships concentrates to save on the gas that would be used to ship water!! Their mission is to green America, one home at a time. My mission is to help everyone that I can to find out about these wonderful products! I’m sick of washing my windows with vinegar and water, because of the streaking and there is NO streaking with these products. I’m so excited!!
If you have any questions about the products that i mentioned, feel free to email me at sallieestes@comcast.net.
Great steps to keep in mind. As far as #1 goes, I feel like I’m forever removing things through one door as Michael is bringing in “new” stuff through the other. To his credit, the stuff he brings home is always used. But still, did we really need that miniature doll chair just because it looked lonely on the curb and maybe, just maybe, one of our cats might sit on it?
I have to say, I could not agree with you in 100%, but that’s just my IMHO, which could be very wrong.
p.s. You have an awesome template . Where have you got it from?
once I lived in an 800 sq ft town house where seemingly many things came in, and nothing ever left - when i moved to my horror I filled a 55 ft truck …how did that happen? Over the years in spaces that were bigger, those spaces filled too and I have had to work hard to reduce, purge, and not purchase things I just don’t need
I never look like that when I clean.
When I think of the stuff around our house, that we’ve lived in for 22 years, through 3 kids … that 55-whatever dumptster would be full! I do give lots to Amvets, though, so I’ve tried to keep up a little bit at least.
Truth be told, spring cleaning makes me think of cleaners which makes me think of chemicals. I’m trying to do things differently these days. One big help — in lots of things — is a great resource for going green, Super Natural Home by Beth Greer. It’s clear, it’s practical, it’s got step by step advice on how to clean up our homes and get rid of (and then avoid) all the toxins out there. It’s like a wake-up call for us to become better educated consumers. I highly recommend it.
Karen…it reminds me of that old George Carlin skit on “stuff” That’s how things have always been for me too. My husband and I used to live on a 27 foot sailboat. We hardly had a thing! Now, 14 years and two kids later, we have completely filled up our 3 bedroom house!
Thanks for the book tip Liz, I’ll check it out!
Great — and I forgot to mention — as others have — GREAT photo!
The State of California said at this week’s Green Summit in Sacramento, “We skipped over Reduce and Reuse and went straight for Recycling… it’s time we focus on the the first two again.” Looks like the governments are getting in line with the green moms!