Are you looking for ways to freshen up your home without hurting the planet? Eco-friendly cleaning and decluttering are the way to go, but sometimes figuring out methods for living a greener lifestyle can seem troublesome or expensive. Try these simple and easy tips to spruce up your home in a manner that’s affordable and environmentally conscious.
Good, Clean Living
There are lots of great reasons to embrace eco-friendly cleaning solutions. Not only do chemical-based cleaning products have a negative impact on the environment, but they are also expensive, and some experts believe they can be harmful to your health. With that in mind, many people are turning to natural and safe cleansers. As HomeAdvisor explains, “When people clean using products and methods that are free of toxic or unsafe materials, and that are safe for the environment and human health, it is called green cleaning.”
Products and Methods
Chances are, you have several green cleaning products right in your pantry. Lemon, baking soda, Borax, and vinegar are all good choices, and they can be blended and applied in various ways for smart cleaning solutions. Consumer Reports offers a list of inexpensive green cleaning products and formulas you can do yourself, and the Environmental Protection Agency has compiled a list of green cleaning resources to help you learn more about what to avoid and how to ensure you are following the best possible practices. For instance, make sure you have good ventilation, and if you need to deodorize your air, you can do so with baking soda.
If you’re wondering what to do with all the scummy water left over from your efforts, good news: you can recycle it. That’s right — instead of pouring water down the drain, one idea is to recycle used water whenever possible. Water your landscaping with it or use it in the garden; you can even have your plumbing recycle the “greywater” through your toilet.
Cut the Clutter
Tidying up can seem like a chore, especially if you don’t know what to do with all your “stuff.” Some studies indicate that clutter can be hard on your emotional well-being, making you feel stressed and anxious. Clutter also is a place for debris and allergens to collect, which can be hard on your physical health. Thankfully, there are some eco-friendly solutions so you can feel great about the process as well as the results. Start with your paper clutter; switch to electronic invoicing and statements to reduce what’s coming into your home, and cancel all your magazines and catalogs since you can view them online now. Photos are another source of clutter, but you can digitize them pretty easily and securely store them in the cloud.
Though decluttering is greatly beneficial, you’re probably stirring up dust and other allergens during the process. In this case, consider investing in a high-quality vacuum for a more efficient cleaning. If you’re a pet owner, there are even models specifically designed to pick up pet hair. Many of these vacuums have attachments to clean furniture and have allergen-removing filters.
The Three Rs
You have probably heard the catchphrase “reduce, reuse, recycle,” and you might want to embrace it wholeheartedly, but sometimes it’s hard to know what to do with certain items. You can verify which items can be recycled through online guides, and sometimes you can simply fix items, sell them, or donate them to a charity instead of disposing of them. A conundrum for many people is what to do with old bedding, but there are recycling programs for mattresses and box springs in many areas now, or you might be able to find a local artist or crafter who would like the materials for their handiwork.
Having a home that is clean, uncluttered, and eco-friendly can make you healthier in many ways. Look for products you already own for green cleaning, and spruce up your space with smart decluttering. You’ll feel better all around with your environmentally responsible practices.
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