Freshen Up Your Home with Good-for-the-Planet Spring Cleaning Tips

It’s out with the old and in with the new as spring quickly approaches. To inspire the community’s spring cleaning efforts, Waste Management of Southern California is offering a few simple tips to clean your home in an eco-friendly way.

“Spring is a time for new beginnings inside the home and out,” said Eloisa Orozco, spokesperson for Waste Management of Southern California. “By making a few small changes in your usual cleaning routine, the entire family can work together to easily finish the task of spring cleaning with a reduced impact on the environment.”

The following tips and tasks will elevate your spring cleaning ritual and result in a clean and green home:

· Instead of turning on fans that waste electricity, dust off your windowsills and open windows to let fresh air in and stale air out.

· Avoid the use of chemical air fresheners, which use perfumes to mask the smell of toxic chemicals. Instead, use baking soda, dried flowers or cedar blocks to freshen up a room.

· Opt for vinegar instead of chemically-based cleaners and scrubs. Vinegar is a very effective, natural cleaning agent that can be used to wash everything from kitchen floors to windows with little to no effect on the environment.

· Make sure to dispose of any dangerous chemicals correctly instead of pouring them down the drain or into the trash. Reading product labels carefully will ensure that toxic chemicals remain in designated areas and don’t seep into our food and water system after being incorrectly disposed.

· Begin a compost pile in your backyard! Springtime is a great time to start and as the temperatures rise, compostable items including old food, spices and coffee grounds will break down more easily. For more information on how to compost, visit http://www2.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home.

· Donate unwanted clothing items such as shirts, pants and shoes to second-hand stores or hold a garage sale.

· Properly check and clean your home appliances to ensure they run their best. Remove lint and dust from your refrigerator coils and freezer, around your dryer, furnace and any vents to keep indoor air quality at its best and keep fire hazards at a minimum.

· Check the caulking around windows and doors to ensure energy bills remain low.

· Instead of using disposable paper towels to wipe surfaces and floors, opt for more durable items such as reusable rags, sponges and mops. This provides less waste and keep areas just as clean.