There’s something wonderfully therapeutic about the ritual of spring cleaning to embrace warmer weather and get a fresh start for the new season. Although many people still approach spring cleaning with an array of toxic chemicals and harsh ingredients, you can also take a more natural approach for the sake of your health and the environment.
To help you embrace a more natural lifestyle this spring, here are some natural spring cleaning tips to keep in mind.
Start with Decluttering
It’s impossible to start cleaning your home if it’s filled with clutter, so this is a great place to start if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Focus on one room of your home at a time, perhaps starting with the one you spend the most time in. Separate trash from recyclable materials and toss out as much as you can to create a more minimalistic environment. For closets, this may involve designating piles of items to donate, sell, keep, and throw away to get a handle on the amount of stuff you have.
Stock Up on Vinegar and Baking Soda
When it comes to cleaning, vinegar and baking soda are your best friends. Ditch the chemical cleansers and focus on making your own products this spring. You’ll need some reusable spray bottles and some easy recipes to get started. Check out our posts about DIY Natural Cleaning Product Recipes You Can Make at Home and the Dangers of Standard All-Purpose Cleaners and a Better Alternative.
Organic white distilled vinegar is so versatile in the home and can be used to clean countertops, showers, mirrors, windows, toilets, and much more. Another great option is Seagate’s Olive Leaf Surface Cleaner, which is a 100 percent all-natural approach to cleaning without harmful ingredients.
Have Lemons Ready to Use
Lemons are also very useful to have around the house when its time for spring cleaning. Not only are lemons delicious in recipes and good for your health, but they are also natural disinfectants with antibacterial properties. While cleaning the kitchen, you can use half of a cut lemon to remove countertop stains and also to put down the garbage disposal to remove odors and bacteria build-up. Lemon juice in your laundry rinse cycle can help brighten clothes and make them smell naturally fresh.
Buy Some Air-Purifying Plants
Commercial air fresheners are among the worst pollutants in a home. Instead of spraying that can or plugging in that store-bought product, consider placing a few air-purifying plants around your home instead. Good ones that are easy to care for include aloe vera, Boston fern, peace lily, and bamboo.
Reusable Rags to Reduce Paper Waste
It’s easy and convenient to use rolls of paper towels to tackle your spring cleaning jobs, but this contributes to paper waste and landfill build-up. Instead, use microfiber cloths to clean your surfaces and then wash them after use. These types of reusable cloths are more effective than paper towels and will help you save money over time too.
Open Up the Windows
Another way to naturally freshen the air is to simply open up the windows in your home in the springtime. This helps the old, stale air get released and reduces stagnant odors that have remained inside for many months. However, if you suffer from spring allergies, this tip could make your symptoms worse.
Try Some Essential Oils
Certain essential oils are also useful during spring cleaning time, including tea tree oil, which has antifungal and antibacterial properties. You can mix tea tree oil with water to create a multi-purpose cleaner spray or add it to laundry to disinfect clothing from bacteria and viruses. Other great essential oils to add to your DIY spring cleaning products include lemon, lavender, and orange.