Our Shared Annual Tradition: Spring Cleaning
What is it about spring that makes us feel we have to turn our homes inside out, wipe down every surface, and purge each closet of two-thirds its contents? Is it a fresh start following the hibernation and messiness of winter? An innate animalistic sense within us?
Turns out: yeah, kinda. Winter months mean less sunlight and more melatonin (the hormone that makes us feel sleepy and sluggish). As a result, we don’t have the same pep in our step we do in spring. But when the new season comes around, the days start getting longer and our energy picks up, we look around and think, “Dang. This place is a mess!” Thus, we clean. And boy do we ever! According to a survey from the American Cleaning Institute, 91% of Americans and 96% of millennials engage in spring cleaning. Only 6% of the population never spring cleans. If you are one of the legions who believe in giving your home environment a fresh look and feel each spring, we’ve got some good spring cleaning tips for upping your game and ensuring your cleaning is environmentally friendly. If you are one of the 6%, it’s about time to jump on this bandwagon!
When you do, remember: how we spring clean is important. Bad habits have a negative environmental impact, like fuller landfills and more chemicals in our ecosystems. Good spring cleaning habits can save the day, however, allowing us to feel good about cleaning our home and taking care of the earth. Keep the following tips for spring cleaning in mind as you embark on this time-honored seasonal tradition.
Sustainable Spring Cleaning: “There is No Away”
“There is no away,” is not only a quote from American critic Annie Leonard, but also useful approach for thinking about organizing your home during spring cleaning. The full quote is “There is no away. When you throw something away, it must go somewhere.”
We tend to use spring cleaning as a time to get rid of a range of “stuff” we’ve accumulated over the past few months. Exercise equipment we don’t use, old clothing, toys, and the list goes on. But, as Leonard reminds us, everything on that list goes somewhere, and adopting a curious mind about where that somewhere is can help us take a whole new, environmentally-friendly approach to spring cleaning. Instead of kicking stuff to the curb and inevitably, the landfill, ask yourself if you can reuse or repurpose something, repair it, or recycle it.
- Reuse or repurpose: Can an item you might think of as junk serves another purpose and replace the need for a new item? Repurposing is not only environmentally friendly; it’s also trendy! Get creative with everything from plastic bottles to old furniture. And if you don’t have another use for an item, there is someone out there who does! Make a bit of extra dough by selling used items or donating them.
- Repair: If that vacuum isn’t working or that toaster isn’t popping or those favorite jeans have a hole in the knee, stop and take a moment to learn some basic repairs rather than tossing any of the above into the garbage. One 10-minute YouTube video can save you the money of a replacement and keep those items out of our landfills. Plus, you’ll learn a new skill and can feel extra proud of yourself!
- Recycle: Hopefully, this is a no-brainer for most of us, but it bears repeating. Recycling is spring cleaning’s best friend. Check out your local trash collection guidelines to ensure you are utilizing every bit of your recycling service.
There Is Nothing Better than Homemade
Store-bought cleaning products often contain harsh chemicals. Common chemicals like alkylphenols and their ethoxylates (APEs) are found in most cleaning solutions and are also present in our wastewater, drinking water, air, and bodies. The presence of these chemicals raises questions about their safety for our families and the environment. Studies show APEs in our water harm the reproduction of fish and other wildlife.
The solution is to create your own (cleaning) solution. In this case, homemade is better. Homemade cleaning solutions are not only chemical-free, making them healthier for your home and the environment, but they also help reduce plastic waste. Mix up your own cleaning products using glass or recycled plastic containers. Most of the ingredients are things you already have in your pantry like vinegar, sea salt, and baking soda. Check out a few of our favorite homemade cleaning product recipes for your spring cleaning enjoyment.
There Is a Recycled Tool for That
Paper products are the enemy of sustainable spring cleaning. Just think about how many paper towels you use dusting those plantation blinds! Instead of paper, keep riding the repurposing train and convert old items into your tools of the trade. Have an old t-shirt you’re not using anymore? Cut it up. Bedsheets and towels are also fair game. Bonus: all of the above make a satisfying ripping sound as they are partitioned into appropriate cleaning-rag-sized squares.
While there are plenty of websites and videos teaching more elaborate approaches to recycle clothing and material into cleaning rags, don’t feel the need to get too fancy. A scrap of old t-shirt cleans just as well if it doesn’t have a tidy hem! Simply cut your item to accommodate the size you prefer. Socks are often a favorite repurposed cleaning tool. Beyond replacing paper products, you can also make your own sponges and dusters.
There Is Power in Nature
We tend to overlook how natural elements can do things for us . . . and much more efficiently at that. Sunshine, wind, fresh air – all key forces we replicate when drying our clothes in the dryer. On average, it takes ten minutes to hang a load of laundry on a clothesline and those ten minutes reduce your annual household carbon footprint by 2,400 pounds. Drying your clothes and linens outside has several other benefits, too, including odor reduction and fewer wrinkles. And if it worked for grandma, it can work for you!
If your agenda includes washing every linen in your home, use the following spring cleaning checklist tips to incorporate air drying into your repertoire:
- There Is a Shelf-Life for Every FilterGo straight from the washing machine to the clothesline: Letting items sit in the washing machine can produce a musty smell and make it tough to get rid of wrinkles. Avoid both by removing things from your washing machine right away and hanging them to dry.
- Get the right supplies: First, get a backyard and hang a clothesline. Kidding! While a backyard is nice, there are other ways to air-dry your laundry and reduce your energy use. You don’t technically even need the outdoors. Check out a variety of indoor line-drying apparatuses such as racks or string a clothesline in your basement or primary bath. If using a clothesline, think about clothespin options. Standard wood clothespins are great and economical for everyday items. If you are drying heavier pieces like blankets, stainless steel is a better option as it can hold more weight.
- Know how to hang: How you hang clothes can make a big difference. After all, gravity plays a role in this! First, shake out the item to get rid of any wrinkles. Hang dress shirts and t-shirts upside down by the hem on each side and jeans by the ankles. Use three clothespins to hang towels (one in the middle) vertically to prevent the towels from getting a bit misshapen. As for bedsheets, fold them once over the laundry line and secure them with clothespins.
There Is a Shelf-Life for Every Filter
One oft-overlooked component of spring cleaning is appliance maintenance. These days, many of our home appliances come with filters of the air or water variety. From dishwashers and garbage disposals to refrigerators and furnaces, filters keep our appliances running smoothly and efficiently which requires less energy.
Replacing old filters each spring is a great practice (although be sure to check your appliances and update more frequently if necessary). You’ll not only be reducing your energy and emissions output, but you’ll also be ensuring the water and air throughout your home are cleaner. Now that feels springlike, doesn’t it?
Spring cleaning helps us feel more awake and organized after the long months of winter. A practice so in tune with our planet’s seasons should in and of itself reflect our care for the environment. Adopting the tips above will make your spring cleaning as friendly for the earth as it is for your peace of mind.
