Get Spring Clean

The weather is warming, flowers are blooming, birds are chirping — Spring is on its way, energizing everything in its path. Put your energy boost into a thorough spring-cleaning, using these ideas to get you started.

Green Cleaning
The urge to rid your home of all dust, grime and germs might lead you to pull out some major chemicals. But many of the ingredients in conventional cleaning products can be more harmful to you, your pets and, over time, the things you’re using them on, than the dirt they’re designed to remove. Some of today’s “green” cleaning solutions are less toxic yet every bit as effective. But just because the front of the bottle or box says “green,” “natural” or “biodegradable,” that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s nontoxic. Check the ingredient list and try to avoid products that contain:

• Chlorine
• Monoethanolamine
• Glycol Ethers
• Alkylphenol Ethoxylates
• Phthalates
• Triclosan

Another “green” way to keep your home fresh is to clean your air with houseplants, which act as living air filters. Try English ivy and peace lilies.

Out With the Old
A big step in creating a cleaner living environment is getting rid of your unused items. Complete closet and cabinet cleanouts will de-clutter your storage areas and your mind.

Start with your clothes:

• If you haven’t worn it in the last year, you probably won’t wear it ever again, unless it is formal wear or some special occasion piece.
• Donate the things you’re not using to a local charity.
• If it is full of holes or covered in stains, toss it in the trash. Keep old t-shirts though. Cut them up and use them for cleaning rags. They are perfect for soaking up spills (replacing expensive and wasteful paper towels) and dusting items you don’t want to scratch.

In the kitchen, take everything out and give each item an honest assessment, asking:

• Do you use it often?
• Do you need it at all?
• Should it be stored in the kitchen cabinet or somewhere else?

While the cupboards are bare, give them a quick wipe-down with a damp cloth. And consider investing in some cabinet racks and dividers to add space and make finding the things you do use even easier.