As spring arrives and the weather warms, many of us feel an urge to do some spring cleaning. While cleaning and organizing can feel refreshing, many conventional cleaning products contain harmful chemicals that are bad for our health and the environment. This spring, why not try going green with your cleaning? Here is an extensive, sustainable spring cleaning checklist to help you declutter and tidy up your home with a clean conscience.
Why Sustainable Spring Cleaning Matters
Before diving into the nitty gritty of spring cleaning, let’s first go over why sustainable cleaning matters in the first place. Here are some of the main benefits of green cleaning:
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Protects health: Many conventional cleaners contain toxic ingredients like ammonia, bleach, and formaldehyde that can irritate eyes, skin, and lungs. Sustainable cleaners are gentler on your indoor air quality.
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Safe for kids and pets: Green cleaning products won’t expose children or pets to harsh fumes or chemicals if they happen to touch or ingest the cleaners.
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Prevents pollution: Harsh chemicals get washed down our drains and pollute waterways. Sustainable cleaners are biodegradable and won’t harm aquatic life.
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Cost savings: You can make many green cleaners at home using vinegar, baking soda, and other inexpensive ingredients. Commercial green cleaners are competitively priced too.
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Keeps toxic chemicals out of your home: Who wants to spend time cleaning with products that could potentially make us sick? Go green for peace of mind.
Sustainable Cleaning Swaps
Conventional cleaning staples like bleach, ammonia, and chemical-laden multipurpose cleaners can easily be replaced with greener options. Here are some of my favorite sustainable swaps to stock up on for spring cleaning:
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Baking soda: Cleans, deodorizes, scours, and polishes without scratching.
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White vinegar: Disinfects and cuts through grease and grime. Mix with water for an all-purpose cleaner.
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Hydrogen peroxide: Disinfects and whitens without harsh fumes.
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Liquid castile soap: Makes an effective yet gentle hand soap, dish soap, laundry detergent, and more.
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Microfiber cloths: Clean with just water, scrub away dirt, and are reusable.
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Essential oils: Add antibacterial and aromatic properties to homemade cleaners. Try tea tree, lemon, and lavender.
These natural cleaning staples get the job done without exposing your home and family to a toxic chemical soup.
Room-by-Room Spring Cleaning Checklist
Now let’s tackle spring cleaning room-by-room. Here is a checklist of green cleaning tasks for every room in your home:
## Kitchen
- Fridge – Empty, wipe down interior and clean door gaskets.
- Oven – Scrub with baking soda and water solution.
- Microwave – Mix lemon juice and water in a microwave-safe bowl, heat on high for 2 minutes, then wipe clean. The lemon steam loosens food grime.
- Dishwasher – Run empty cycle with 2 cups of white vinegar to remove soap scum and odors.
- Sinks – Scrub with baking soda. Pour boiling water down drains monthly to keep pipes clear.
- Counters – Clean with 50/50 vinegar water solution.
- Floors – Sweep then mop with vinegar water.
## Bathrooms
- Toilet – Scrub bowl with baking soda and vinegar, let sit for 5-10 minutes, then scrub with toilet brush and flush. Wipe seat, lid, handle, and rim with hydrogen peroxide.
- Shower & Bathtub – Spray with hydrogen peroxide, allow to sit for 10 minutes, then scrub away soap scum. Rinse clean.
- Tiles – Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray tiles and scrub with an old toothbrush, then wipe clean with microfiber cloth.
- Sink & Faucets – Remove built-up toothpaste, hair products, and soap scum with baking soda paste. Rinse and wipe dry.
- Mirrors – Spritz with vinegar water and wipe with old newspaper for a streak-free shine.
## Bedrooms
- Mattresses – Vacuum both sides, sprinkle with baking soda, allow to sit for 1 hour, then vacuum again to freshen.
- Pillows – Fluff and place outside in direct sunlight for 2 hours to disinfect and remove odors.
- Sheets & Pillowcases – Wash bedding in hot water with a half cup of castile soap and 10-15 drops of essential oils like lavender or tea tree.
- Floors – Vacuum carpets and sweep then damp mop hard floors.
- Clutter – Donate or recycle unwanted textiles and clothing. Organize with baskets, bins, and hooks.
## Living Spaces
- Sofas & Chairs – Vacuum crumbs and dust weekly. Spot clean with upholstery cleaner or carpet cleaner.
- Rugs – Shake outdoors or vacuum. For deeper cleaning, mix castile soap and water and scrub by hand. Rinse with clean water.
- Carpets – Rent or purchase a non-toxic carpet cleaner and shampoo annually or as needed. Open windows to allow carpets to dry fully.
- Wood Furniture – Dust weekly with microfiber cloth. Clean with mix of 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup lemon juice, and 2 tbsp vinegar. Polish with beeswax wood polish.
- Ceiling Fans – Use vacuum crevice tool to remove dust from blades. Dampen microfiber cloth with white vinegar to wipe down fixtures.
- Baseboards – Dip cloth into warm soapy water and wipe down. Rinse with clear water.
## Entryway
- Door – Wipe down front and back of exterior doors with vinegar solution. Use toothbrush to scrub grime out of corners and crevices.
- Doormat – Shake outdoors to remove dirt. Spot clean with castile soap and water.
- Switch Plates – Rub with cloth dampened with mixture of castile soap and water.
- Floors – Sweep then use vinegar water to mop tile, vinyl, and sealed hardwood.
Tip: Open windows when using any cleaning products to allow fresh air circulation.
Conclusion
I hope this extensive sustainable spring cleaning checklist gives you ample ideas to freshen up your home while avoiding harsh chemicals. Remember to open those windows to let the springtime breeze in! With a clean home and clean conscience, you can fully relaxation and enjoy the spring season. Let me know if you have any other green cleaning tips or homemade recipes to share!
