Seven Tips for Green Spring Cleaning and Recycling

Its spring and that means it’s time for a fresh start! This season focus on using cleaning habits that help the environment by only using safe cleaning products, recycling instead of trashing, and donating to charity so that your items can be reused.
If your goal is to reduce clutter this year, combine that with lowering your contribution to landfills by thinking green.
Reduce.
The first step to fighting messes and reducing clutter is to get rid of all those things you never use. Start with places where junk accumulates, such as drawers, closets, the garage, the basement, and attic. Begin the process by separating your stuff into piles—what you really will use and what you know you never will. Be honest with yourself as you sort through those jeans you haven’t seen since high school. Be practical when considering whether you should hang on to that fondue set you’ve never opened.
While it may be difficult to let some things go, the quickest way to cut your cleaning time is to have less stuff to clean. If you haven’t used it recently, you won’t miss it, and you’ll feel free of the burden of clutter!
Repurpose.
Now you have stuff that you’re ready to get rid of, but don’t just trash it all yet. Go through it and see if any of these items could serve a new purpose. Keep the items that you can carve out a plan to use later. Let go of items that someone else could use.
Donate.
Instead of trashing what’s left, consider donating. This includes everything from clothes, books, toys, baby items, home décor, dishes, and holiday decorations. All of these items could find new life in someone else’s home.
If you feel the need to get rid of your clutter quickly, drop it at your local Salvation Army or Goodwill. You could also post your items for sale online. You’d be surprised what people might be interested in. Just because it’s not an object you value anymore doesn’t mean someone else won’t find it valuable.
Recycle
Once you’ve exhausted all the other possibilities, it’s time for our favorite part here at Caroline Fibre. Recycling is such a simple thing to do, yet so many don’t bother with it. Reusing materials and properly disposing of harmful ones is an essential step toward protecting our world. With dozens of recycling facilities and most cities offering recycle pickup, there aren’t many excuses for not recycling.
Check local electronics retailers to find out if they’ll take your broken laptop or vintage VCR. Recycle plastic items the same way you would for plastic food packaging. And if you’re still struggling to get rid of some stuff, always consider Carolina Fibre for your old clutter.
Stock up on organizing tools.
Now that you’ve downsized, you need to find a system for organizing what you’ve got left. To do this, you’ll need some storage containers. Make sure your storage choices are eco-friendly by using cardboard boxes, cloth bags made from old t-shirts, or bamboo baskets. Raise your storage with vertical shelving to free up floor space and make your rooms look bigger and feel more organized.
Make your cleaning supplies.
For a genuinely green clean, make homemade cleaning supplies. Your home can get sparkling clean with a simple combination of vinegar, water, baking soda, and essential oil. Not only are you lessening the exposure of toxins to family and pets, but you’re also cutting back on waste.
Plan ahead.
If you follow these tips throughout the year, then spring cleaning will be that much easier. Don’t let stuff accumulate in your home. Instead, take time to think about things before you purchase, and don’t hesitate to return gifts if you’ve decided you’ll never use them.
Thinking green throughout all areas of life, from your kitchen to your closet, will put you ahead of the game when next spring arrives.
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