Your Sustainable Spring Cleaning Checklist

If you're spring cleaning, you may have things on your to-do list like deep cleaning your kitchen or purging your closet. If you want to do that sustainably, here are some planet-friendly spring cleaning tips:

‍

Eliminate Microplastics

‍

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles smaller than 5 millimeters in size. Studies have shown their harmful impact on both human health and the environment. These microplastics lurk in various places throughout our homes — from cooking and cleaning tools in the kitchen to personal care products such as toothbrushes, shampoos, and conditioners. You can even find microplastics in fabric softeners and dryer sheets. Spring cleaning offers the perfect opportunity to eliminate these microplastic sources from our homes. Our guides can help you identify and remove these sources:

‍

• Simple ways to eliminate microplastics from your laundry
• 7 Places to Get Rid of Microplastics in Your Bathroom
• 5 Places Microplastics Are Hiding in Your Kitchen

‍

Get Rid of Clothes and Shoes Responsibly

‍

Donating your old clothes or shoes is, unfortunately, not always the best way to get rid of them. Most donated garments are packed into shipping containers and sent to countries in Africa, Asia, and South America. While some are reused there, most end up in landfills. 

‍

If you want to donate your clothes, try giving them to a local organization that has specifically asked for the items you have. Otherwise, a more responsible approach is to send them to specific locations that ensure they're either properly reused or recycled. We've done the legwork for you — here are some Responsible Ways to Get Rid of Clothes, Shoes, and Socks.

‍

Give Away Items Through Your Buy Nothing Group

‍

If you have items in your closet that are in great condition but you no longer need, consider listing them on Buy Nothing Groups. These community groups allow neighbors to give away items for free — including furniture, clothes, food, toys, garden tools, shoes, artwork, and cleaning products. By sharing these items with your neighbors, you keep them out of landfills, reduce the demand for new products, and help build a stronger community. These groups are also a great place to ask your neighbors for any bins or boxes that you might need to keep things tidy.

‍

{{cta-join2}}

‍

Start Energy Saving Habits in Your House

‍

Spring cleaning is also a chance to make your home more energy efficient and reduce energy costs. From basic steps like changing your ceiling fan directions and cleaning your refrigerator to slightly time-consuming ones such as servicing your HVAC system and installing smart window coverings, there are several energy-saving tips that you can include in your spring cleaning. Check out these 10 Energy-Saving Spring Cleaning Tips.

‍

Choose More Sustainable Cleaning Products

‍

If you are running out of cleaning products, spring cleaning is also a great time to switch to sustainable cleaning products. Unlike conventional cleaners made with petrochemical-based ingredients, these products contain bio-based ingredients that come from non-fossil fuel sources and break down more easily in the environment. They often come in hyper-concentrated formulas that the amount of packaging and shipping emissions. Many brands also offer refillable options that eliminate single-use plastic. Sustainable cleaning products typically come in reusable, plastic-free, or compostable packaging.

‍