Spring Cleaning Tips, Plus a Free Download!

At Earthwise Hauling, we’re advocates of Eco-Friendly Junk Removal as well as Eco-Friendly living!  With that being said, we want to share some environmentally friendly tips when it comes to Spring cleaning during this pandemic.

We have also included a comprehensive Spring Cleaning Checklist! Scroll all the way down to get to the link. It’s in PDF format so you can download and print it out! (hopefully on recycled paper)

First things first, why should you keep your home clean?

A clean home is good for your health! Let’s just acknowledge how a clean home can actually be better for your overall mental health and wellness. People with clean houses tend to be healthier than those with messy or cluttered homes. Having a clean and organized home can help lower stress levels, improve efficiency, and foster better family relationships.

Avoid using harsh chemicals!

We highly recommend staying away from bleach and other harsh chemicals. Instead try using things like baking soda, vinegar or lemon juice. These natural cleaning agents will not weaken your immune system like synthetic chemicals will!

Concerned about viruses?
It turns out that 2 of the oldest and most common methods of decontamination work the best.

Just the friction from scrubbing with soap and water can break down viruses, like the coronavirus’s protective envelope. “Scrub like you’ve got sticky stuff on the surface and you really need to get it off,” says Richard Sachleben, an organic chemist and a member of the American Chemical Society.

According to the CDC, hydrogen peroxide is effective in deactivating rhinovirus, the virus that causes the common cold, within 6 to 8 minutes of exposure. Rhinovirus is more difficult to destroy than coronaviruses, so hydrogen peroxide should be able to break down the coronavirus in less time.

Spray it on the surface to be cleaned, and let it sit on the surface for at least 1 minute. 

Hydrogen peroxide is not corrosive, so it’s okay to use it on metal surfaces. But similar to bleach, it can discolor fabrics if you get it on your clothes, so be careful!

“It’s great for getting into hard-to-reach crevices,” Sachleben says. “You can pour it on the area, and you don’t have to wipe it off because it essentially decomposes into oxygen and water.”

Quit your air freshener habit and reduce the number of chemicals in your home by trying natural potpourri instead. They can be curated using aromatic apples, citrus, cinnamon sticks, cloves and other wonderful spices. Just cut your favorite fruit into large chunks, add a handful of whole spices and add water so you can keep it simmering on the stove to release its aroma.

Not sure where to start with your Spring Cleaning?
No problem!

Our comprehensive room-by-room checklist will get you going in the right direction.