5 eco-friendly Spring cleaning tips

Spring has arrived! It's that time of year when your home requires a thorough cleaning and deep washing just in preparation for the summer holidays.

Whether you like it or not, the smell of lemon and "sunshine meadow-scented" detergents is attractive when you think of a clean home. You may be using hazardous materials in your home without realising it. Many typical household cleaning products include toxic compounds related to a variety of health issues. These chemicals are not only harmful to your family, but also to the environment.

Go green when cleaning your home with these top eco-friendly tips:

1. Say NO to toxins

Eliminating any items containing harmful chemicals is one of the simplest ways to create an environmentally sound change in your home. They not only harm the environment, but you inhale them every time you use them. 

Instead of using chemicals, consider creating your own natural cleaning solutions using baking soda or vinegar. Baking soda can aid in the removal of residue from your pots and pans. It can also be used for its odour-absorbing qualities. Simply sprinkle some on your carpet to keep it fresh - vacuum it the next day.

White vinegar is excellent for cleaning glass, while lemon is great for polishing stainless steel. You may also use cut flowers to refresh the air in your house instead of flowery-scented sprays.

2. Use environmentally friendly cleaning tools

Paper towels and serviettes are incredibly handy - just take, wipe, and toss away - but they have an environmental cost. Reusable towels are a great way to go green. Dishrags that are sturdy and absorbent and can be cleaned and reused several times are a good option.

The majority of cleaning sponges are composed of plastic, which degrades over time. Plastic fragments flow down the drain and into the environment as the sponge wears and rips, reeking problems. Shop around for cleaning accessories like sponges and scrubs that will last a long time and are totally biodegradable so that they may be composted when they're no longer useful.

3. Prevent energy wastage

Getting your clothes and household item in perfect shape for spring is part of the Spring cleaning process. However, the energy required in this process contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and incurs a penalty on your electricity bill.

Identify your main sources of energy leaks and consider making significant green upgrades to your property. When upgrading home appliances, double-check the energy efficiency of your item, as certain models will do better on the eco-friendly score than others. Ensure that products are ozone-friendly and do not contribute to global warming. Energy-efficient products may even help you save up to 80% on your energy cost.

Conserving energy in your home also makes your home more comfortable to live in. Plus, a more energy-efficient home has a higher resale value should you decide to prepare your home for a Spring sale. 

4. Avoid contaminating your recyclables

Mixing hazardous oils and paints with your waste will undermine your sustainability efforts. Get in touch with your local municipality to find out where you may dispose of your non-recyclables.

If you are unable to be fully zero-waste after your spring cleaning, the next best thing is to ensure that recyclable goods are recycled. An important part of making sure that materials get recycled properly is not to toss non-recyclables in the recycling bin. 

5. Donate your unwanted goods

You're likely to stumble across a tonne of clothes and stuff that you no longer need when clearing out your clutter and spring cleaning your home. Consider donating them to someone in need instead of tossing them out, where they will simply wind up in landfills. You may even sell them online to get some additional money.

If you are in the market to buy or sell a property this Spring, contact Knight Frank today. Our agents are all geared up to help you with all your property needs.