As the weather starts warming up, many households prepare to start their annual spring cleaning. This is the perfect time to declutter and disinfect, and kick off the upcoming summer months with a tidy space. In this article, we’ll share some tips to ensure your spring cleaning practices are efficient, eco-friendly, and inexpensive.
Staying Efficient
To efficiently plan your spring cleaning, it’s ideal to set aside a day where everyone in your household is willing and ready to get started. Typically, you might set aside one day of the weekend, or the entire weekend, to get the job done. By having everyone complete their spring cleaning at the same time, waste disposal will be easier, and all participants can share cleaning supplies and help each other when needed.
It’s a good idea to plan your spring cleaning around your trash disposal schedule. If you have trash pickup service and your cleaning efforts fill up your garbage bin, you might run out of space for your normal garbage items before the next pickup date. Or, if you drop off your trash at a local collection center, consider how you’ll store garbage until the collection time. If you dispose of items that could start to smell before they’re collected, timing will be even more important. You should also be sure to take advantage of local recycling programs or consider composting certain food items to reduce the amount of trash your spring cleaning creates.
Keeping It Eco-Friendly
Waste can pile up quickly when cleaning. One way to limit waste when cleaning is to use reusable towels or rags rather than paper towels. Cut-up t-shirts make good cleaning rags. Whichever option you choose will be producing less waste and will save room for disposal of other items.
Cleaning out your pantry and fridge might also create a large amount of waste, but there are ways to limit this. When organizing your pantry, be sure to check expiration dates on items you do not plan to keep, and consider donating these items to a local food pantry or shelter. Try to compost expired food items if possible to limit your contribution landfills.
Some other ways to keep your spring cleaning eco-friendly are hang-drying your laundry outside rather than using a dryer, repurposing items around the house for new uses, and using nontoxic or biodegradable cleaning supplies. Properly disposing of waste and recycling are also two simple ways to help the earth. Not only do these practices help with sustainability, but they can save you money as well.
Managing Your Cleaning Budget
One way to save money is by sharing cleaning supplies with other household members. Prior to starting your cleaning, plan a trip to the store where everyone can get items they need and have those who require the same items split the cost. Dollar stores are an excellent place to find affordable cleaning supplies.
There are several items you may already have in your house that can be used for cleaning rather than buying new products. Dryer sheets can used for freshening the air and collecting dust. Baby oil works for cleaning stainless steel, and old newspapers can be used to soak up any liquid released by leftover food within your fridge or pantry. Ordinary white vinegar can be diluted to make a wonderful cleaner for kitchens and bathrooms, helping to get your sinks, counters, and other surfaces sparkling clean for a fraction of the cost of store-bought cleaning products.
Instead of throwing away old clothes or items you may not use anymore, try reselling them! There are several outlets available online to resell clothing and jewelry, including Poshmark, Mercari, and Curtsy. Besides apparel and fashion accessories, you can find buyers for many other household goods on popular resale websites including Facebook Marketplace and eBay.
If you prefer not to sell items online, there are other options available, including Plato’s Closet. You can bring in your clothes, shoes, and handbags and receive cash for any items they buy from you. Another traditional method you can use, especially for items you don’t intend to sell for a high price, is holding a rummage or thrift sale. Do some research to see if your neighborhood does any combined or group sales, as these events often take place in spring and are a great way to bring lots of buyers to your sale!
Spring cleaning can be the perfect way to start the season with an organized space. Whether you are tidying up your whole house or just doing a closet clean-out, we hope these tips can help keep your spring cleaning on track!
