Lifestyle Trends
Green your spring cleaning routine
(ARA) - Do you feel like Mother Nature set up camp in your home over the winter? Cold winter months spent indoors often translate to dirt and clutter buildup around the house. And, if you're like television personality Hannah Keeley, with those first few warm spring days comes the irrepressible urge to throw open the windows and get down and dirty with some serious spring cleaning.
But before you get started, make sure to follow these simple tips from Keeley to keep your home clean and green.
Get rid of the toxic chemicals
The cleaning products aisle at the grocery store is teeming with spring cleaning junkies, searching for the latest miracle products that promise to whip their homes into shape. Resist the urge. Most of these powerful cleaners contain some pretty toxic chemicals. Instead, choose eco-friendly cleaners, or just raid your kitchen cabinets. Vinegar and water cleans windows and mirrors beautifully. A little castile soap with water makes a fantastic all-purpose cleaner. And baking soda is the best scouring powder out there.
Conserve water
Don't leave the tap running while cleaning - instead turn the faucet on as you're ready to rinse off. Better yet, collect water in a bucket for your cleaning needs. Sweep instead of mopping whenever possible and place doormats both outside and inside of your home's doors to catch dirt and mud, lessening the need to wash the floors. In the kitchen, only run the dishwasher when your family has a full load and in the bathroom, consider installing a new water-efficient showerhead to cut down on usage.
Wipe off your air vents
Dust collected on your vents may re-circulate throughout your home's air. While you're at it, have your air ducts cleaned to remove any mold or contaminants that may have accumulated throughout the winter. Schedule a tune-up with your local HVAC dealer to restore capacity and help cut utility costs. If you're in the market for a heating or cooling system upgrade, consider a new energy-efficient unit such as the American Standard Allegiance (R) 15 air conditioner. Many combinations are Energy Star-rated and could qualify you for the federal government's tax incentives for increasing your home's efficiency.
Recycle and turn trash into treasure
Instead of filling your trashcan with all of the clutter you've collected throughout the year, set up a home recycling station for papers, cardboard, aluminum, glass and plastics. Be sure your recycling station is located in a place that is protected from the weather, pets or outdoor critters. Turn other items that cannot be traditionally recycled (toys, video games, etc.) into someone else's treasure. Collect your family's unused items and donate them to charity. Remember, if you don't use it and you don't love it, you don't need it.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
