Can you believe it’s already March? It feels like the holidays were yesterday, but spring is fast-approaching, and now is a great time to get a headstart on spring cleaning your apartment. We know that, like us, you want to make more sustainable choices in 2020. After all, living an eco-conscious lifestyle is all about taking small daily steps in the right direction. Green lifestyle choices can include the products we use to clean along with the way we go about it. We’re sharing our favorite green spring cleaning tips to help your get your apartment spic-and-span for the upcoming season.
Green Spring Cleaning Tips: Declutter Your Space
Declutter Your Space
Decluttering is an essential first step to spring cleaning. It clears the “slate” in your home so you can give it a deep, thorough clean. Plus, it’s a simple way to take a step towards sustainability. Repurposing or donating items you no longer need gives them a chance to find a better home elsewhere without ending up in a landfill. Bring your used clothes or home goods to a local thrift shop, or sell them online for some extra cash. If you have actual trash lying around your apartment, toss it before you get started cleaning. Not sure what belongs in the trash and what can go in your recycling bin? This post will help you.
Green Spring Cleaning Tips: Natural Solutions
Clean With Natural Solutions
Traditional cleaning solutions are not eco-friendly. Many contain harsh chemicals, and they’re sold in plastic bottles. Luckily, there are some super accessible alternative cleaning solutions you can create with basic ingredients.
White Vinegar
White vinegar is the king of all-natural cleaning solutions. It can be used on everything from countertops to windows, and it’s naturally antibacterial. Plus, it’s cheap. No need to spend your money on fancy, expensive cleaning products when you have white vinegar around.
Clean Your Countertops: Spray white vinegar onto your countertops, then wipe the grime away with a warm rag.
For Your Refrigerator: Mix one part white vinegar with one part warm water to create a natural cleaning solution to use inside your fridge. You can use this solution to clean your bathroom tiles, too.
For Your Toilet: Pour a cup or two of white vinegar into your toilet bowl and let it sit overnight. In the morning, sprinkle some baking soda into the bowl and scrub it down before flushing.
Clean Your Mattress: Mix some white vinegar, rubbing alcohol and some essential oil into a spray bottle. Spray your bare mattress down, and sprinkle it with baking soda. Let it air dry. Vacuum up the baking soda before remaking your bed.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is another alternative to chemical-based cleaning solutions. It’s well known for its deodorizing abilities, but it’s tough on grease, too.
Clean Your Scorched Pans: Create a paste by mixing a few tablespoons of baking soda with warm water. Next, apply the paste to your scorched pans, then scrub the debris away with a rag.
Unclog Drains: Add a few tablespoons of baking soda to your clogged drain. Heat up some white vinegar in the microwave, then pour it down the drain, allowing it to fizz. Finally, rinse out the drain with boiling water.
Lemon
Lemons are naturally antibacterial and antiseptic, making them a great natural cleaning tool. Bonus: They’ll make your place smell amazing.
Clean Your Microwave: You can clean your microwave by filling up a bowl with water and adding a few splashes of white vinegar to it. Next, place some lemon slices in the bowl and set it inside your microwave. Turn it on high for five minutes and let it sit for an additional two minutes. Remove the bowl and wipe your microwave down with a rag.
Remove Counter Stains: Soak stains in lemon juice, allowing it time to soak in and break it down. After a few minutes, sprinkle some baking soda on it and wipe the stain away with a rag.
Green Spring Cleaning Tips: Repurpose Old Towels
Repurpose Old Towels
There’s no need to waste paper while spring cleaning your apartment. Instead of using paper towels to wipe down surfaces, clean with rags. You can take this a step further by repurposing old towels and turning them into smaller cleaning rags. Simply cut up a bath towel to create multiple rags to clean your apartment.
Want more spring cleaning tips? Check out some of our previous posts:
2020 Cleaning Checklist
5 Cleaning Hacks For Your Apartment
Keep Your Carpet Clean With These Tips
