Inexpensive Ways to Clean Green
Being cooped up during winter can make anyone go a little crazy; the slush and grime being drug through the house, not getting enough fresh air, and that spring cleaning list growing by the day. Do a little ‘Spring Cleaning’ this winter and your list won’t be as intimidating come March 20th!
Clear out the typical cleaning supplies
Time to stock up on your baking supplies! Did you know vinegar and baking soda can be used to clean almost anything? Mix 12/3 cups baking soda and 1â„2 cup of liquid soap in a bowl, then add 1â„2 cup of water to dilute. Finally, add 2 tablespoons of white vinegar and transfer the solution to a clean 16 oz. squirt bottle with a cap. You’ve just created an all-purpose cleaning solution that’s non-toxic, biodegradable, and gets the job done.
Add a little greenery
Install a living air filter–houseplants! Some of the most efficient air-cleaning houseplants include garden mums, ficus/weeping fig, ferns, and bamboo palm. Start small and place these pretties in the rooms where you spend most of your time.
De-clutter your wardrobe
Donate gently worn items to charity. Donate torn and stained items to your rag collection, where they’ll replace wasteful paper towels. Replace those stinky mothballs in your stored clothing with a better-smelling, natural version by stuffing unpaired socks with cinnamon sticks or bay leaves.
Paint your walls green
If spring cleaning at your house involves a fresh coat of paint, consider the VOC content of the paint when choosing your paint brand. VOCs are Volatile Organic Compounds which are chemicals that form vapors at room temperature. Some VOCs, found in many brands of paints, contribute to smog and indoor air pollution, and can cause a host of short-term and long-term health problems. For truly eco-conscious safe paint, check out these products: Eco-Spec by Benjamin Moore, Clarity by Dutch Boy, Enviro-Pure by MAB Paint, American Pride Paint and BioShield Milk Paint.
Swap out your Swiffer
Instead of continually buying single-use mop pads, invest in a reusable mop, such as Casabellas. Washables are easy checkbook and can be found in health food stores.
