Spring cleaning goes au natural

It’s almost time to get your spring clean on. For some this annual tradition is therapeutic and purifying, for others, it inspires endless procrastination.  Whether you’re kicking off spring cleaning next week, next month, or perhaps sometime in May, we can likely all agree: it’s not worth using harmful chemicals just to make your home sparkle.

Here are our favourite eco-cleaning tips that will have your house shinning and Mother Nature thanking you.

1. Ditch the chemicals

Get started by ditching your chemically-based cleaners, in favour for all-natural and affordable cleaning solutions.

One of our favourites is Pink Solution, the ultimate all-purpose cleaner made from natural enzymes. It comes in a powder form -just add water and use for everything. One 5L container will last most families two years. It is so safe for your family, it can be ingested with no worries… but we recommend you skip that check. It might be natural, but it tastes disgusting!

Alternatively, make your own cleaners from products you already have – vinegar, baking soda, salt, and lemon juice make fierce cleaners.

2. Skip the throw-aways

Kick the paper towel habit. Cut up old t-shirts or pick up a reusable and biodegradable cloth. Twist Sponge Blossoms for instance can be used for dusting and scrubbing. They look tiny but add water and they expand to handle any dirty job. We promise, you won’t miss paper towels in your life.

3. Launder naturally

Do you have large drapes or winter blankets to wash? If so, we recommend laundering naturally. My favourite laundry solution is Earth’s Berries (also known as soap nuts). These dried berries clean as well as any conventional alternative, are chemical- and perfume-free, and 1 bag will do 350 loads of laundry for a fraction of the price of most detergents.

If you can, save the electricity and dry your laundry on a clothesline. Don’t have the space? We recommend throwing BaaLLs (a dryer ball made out of organic wool) into your dryer. These reusable balls will soften  fabrics while also reducing drying time by 40%.

4. Freshen the air

Want a fresh, spring smell? Chemical air fresheners are one of the worst offenders when it comes to polluting our homes. Open the windows and grow houseplants that have exceptional air-purifying abilities. If you have some especially funky problem areas (shoes, hockey bags, diaper pails), try an all natural bamboo. My favourite: Ever Bamboo. These deodorizers are made from bamboo charcoal which absorbs smells rather than masking them. They work better than anything I have ever tried (I keep one in my gym bag at all times!).

Do you have any tips for all-natural spring cleaning? Are you doing away with environmentally dubious cleaning solutions this spring?