Spring is officially here, and you know what that means… it’s probably time for your annual spring clean! Flowers bursting into bloom and birds chirping brings the desire to declutter, reorganise and get your home back to its best. It’s a great way to reduce stress, reset and start afresh!
However, did you know your spring clean can cause unnecessary waste, especially when sending it to landfill or using single-use plastics? So, here are our top tips for sustainable spring cleaning, ranging from great sustainable swaps, cleaning solutions to advice when decluttering.
If you’re thinking about throwing something away, ask yourself, could this be reused, repurposed, repaired or recycled…
Ideally, find a new home for your unused item before choosing to throw it away, so it is reused for longer rather than becoming waste. You can rehome your items by selling them, gifting them or our favourite, donating your items to charity shops. This way, you’re helping a good cause while also giving a new life to your belongings.
Before you throw a broken item in the bin, try and see if the object can be repaired. This could be an item of clothing or furniture as there are often great solutions online on how to give it a new lease of life. However, you could also repurpose and give it another use – get creative and enjoy!
You can minimise landfill by recycling the belongings you no longer need. Each council will have their own rules of what you can recycle in your areas, such as cardboard, plastics and metal. This information can easily be found on your council website.
This may seem obvious, but reorganising your cupboards and wardrobes not only makes your home tidier, but it also allows you to see what you actually have in your home already, which in turn can help you avoid unnecessary future purchases.
Replace your household cleaners with white vinegar. This cheap alternative is easy to use, non-toxic and can be used to clean almost everything! You can use vinegar with recycled newspaper to clean glass and mirrors or dilute with water for an all-purpose floor cleaner. Top tip – you can always add essential oils for a fresh scent!
Another great alternative to household cleaners is baking soda. Once again, this product can effectively clean your entire home, being used as a natural abrasive, deodoriser, and cleanser!
Use lemon as an antibacterial and antiseptic cleaner. Lemon acts as natural bleach while also leaving a refreshing fragrance. Plus, it’s super easy to use; simply apply lemon juice to the surface, let it sit for a minute and then wipe clean using a damp cloth.
Swap your normal toilet paper for Who Gives a Crap. Made from 100% bamboo and recycled toilet paper, they don’t just care about toilet humour but are passionate about making the world a better place. They donate 50% of their profits to help build toilets and improve sanitation in the developing world. They have just donated £3.2 million!
Switching to the washing-up brushes offered by Jungle Culture is a conscientious choice that embraces both sustainability and functionality. These eco-friendly brushes are thoughtfully crafted from natural materials, reflecting a commitment to reducing plastic waste and its environmental impact.
Refilling your cleaning products is a great way to reduce your plastic usage, and Splosh makes it easy. Simply order your Splosh cleaning products, and once empty, order refills to top up your original bottles. By refilling, you’re cutting plastic waste by around 95%!
Method uses 100% recycled plastic in their cleaning and hand wash bottles. They’re climate-conscious and animal friendly, so they are a great swap from your usual cleaning products.
We hope that you found these tips helpful! We wish you the best of luck in your sustainable spring clean this year and doing your part in creating a sustainable future. Head to our Instagram page where we regularly share simple sustainable swaps and zero-waste shops!
