9 Eco-Friendly Spring Cleaning Tips

Spring cleaning— whether you love it or hate it, the time for giving everything a clean and airing out the house comes around every year and 2024 is no exception. It can feel overwhelming but there are small things you can do each day to gradually work your way through your home and get everything clean ready for the warmer and brighter days.

1. Clean With Baking Soda Scrub

Baking soda is a versatile and low-cost cleaning agent that can tackle tough grime without harsh chemicals. Make a simple baking soda paste by mixing it with water, and use it to scrub sinks, tubs, and tile grout. This natural abrasive will leave surfaces sparkling clean and won’t harm the environment.

2. Try Reusable Cleaning Cloths

Say goodbye to disposable paper towels and hello to reusable cleaning cloths. Old t-shirts, dish towels, or microfibre cloths make excellent alternatives for wiping down surfaces. Simply wash and reuse them again and again. Not only will you reduce paper waste, but you’ll also save money in the long run.

3. Embrace Lemon Freshness

Harness the power of lemons to add freshness to your cleaning routine. Cut a lemon in half and use it to scrub and deodorise cutting boards, faucets, and stovetops. The natural acidity of lemons helps break down grease and leaves behind a pleasant citrus scent. They’re also great at helping to clean the inside of a microwave.

4. See How Good Vinegar Is for Cleaning

Achieve streak-free windows without the use of ammonia or other harmful chemicals. Mix equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle, spray onto windows, and wipe clean with a microfibre cloth or newspaper. The vinegar cuts through dirt and grime, leaving your windows sparkling and eco-friendly.

For a natural and effective shower cleaner, mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray this solution on shower walls and glass doors to remove soap scum and water stains. Let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing off. The vinegar will leave your shower sparkling clean and free of harsh chemicals.

5. Environmentally Friendly Cleaning Products

Look for plant-based cleaning products that are biodegradable and use less harsh chemicals. Many companies now offer a range of affordable options made from natural ingredients like citrus, coconut, and essential oils. These products clean effectively without harming the planet.

You can take this a step further and choose products that are packaged without water, like the tablet range from Ocean Saver. These are delivered in tablet form so you only need to add water to get the full bottle of cleaner. This means you get the benefits of reusable bottles and reduced carbon impact from shipping. If you have old spray bottles around this could be a great swap to try.

6. Air-Dry Your Clothes

Spring is the perfect time to take advantage of the warmer weather and air-dry your washing. There’s nothing better than fresh, clean bed sheets tat have been dried in the sun. Skip the tumble dryer and hang clothes outside on a clothesline or drying rack. Not only does this save energy, but it also gives your clothes a fresh outdoor scent. It also has the added benefit of being much gentler on your clothes, regularly tumble drying clothing an help speed up the deterioration of your favourite outfits.

7. Declutter and Donate

Spring cleaning isn’t just about cleaning—it’s also an opportunity to declutter and donate items you no longer need.

Sort through your belongings and set aside gently used clothes, books, and household items for donation to local charity shops. Not only will you clear space in your home, but you’ll also give new life to items that someone else may treasure. You can also ask around friends and family to see if you have something they might need.

While you’re setting aside things to donate, think about how things can be repurposed or upcycled to give them a new lease of life. Don’t be afraid to experiment with giving things a coat of paint or trying to mend something to give it a new lease of life.

8. Recycle Old Electronics

Spring cleaning often unearths old electronics that are no longer in use.  E-waste is one of the biggest challenges facing us for the future. Instead of throwing them away to landfill, research local electronic recycling programs or drop-off locations. Many electronics contain valuable materials that can be recycled and reused, reducing electronic waste in landfills.

One scheme that’s popular at the moment is the Curry’s recycling scheme where they will take any electrical product you have and recycle them, with the added bonus of you can get a voucher to put towards something you need. You can read the details of this scheme here.

9. Take an inventory of what you have

Once everything is clean it’s the perfect time to take a look at what you have and what you might need. Having a good idea of what’s actually in your home can help reduce the likelihood of impulse purchasing gadgets or decor that will just sit there until next spring.

Take things slowly, even one room at a time to avoid becoming overwhelmed with the spring cleaning process and you’ll be feeling like your home is brand new in no time.