Spring is coming! That means one thing: Time for a thorough spring cleaning and greening.
This year, give your space a green spring cleaning the healthier way, healthier to reduce waste that ends up in our waterways or in landfill.
Did you know that indoor air pollution can be as much as 100 times worse than outdoor air pollution? Most of that pollution is emitted from gases and evaporation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from cleaning supplies, air fresheners, and even paint and carpet, bringing long-term adverse health effects. While we think we're cleaning and disinfecting, we're really loading the air with toxic chemicals!
Four easy tips:
1. Fresh Air. Feel the breeze and open the windows! The best way to get dirty air moving out and fresh air moving in is to open the doors and windows.
Fresh flowers in place of air fresheners! Chemical fresheners can cause eye, skin, and respiratory irritation. Aerosol air fresheners can damage nerves and lodge in your lungs. Fresh flowers, baking soda, and dried flowers add natural fragrance to the room.
2. Nature's Cleaning Miracles. Use vegetable-based cleaning products instead of harsh chemical cleaners. Vegetable-based cleaners, like those made with coconut oil, are becoming more popular every day. Even the makers of Clorox have a vegetable-based cleaning line on the market.
Vinegar: Vinegar can be used to clean just about anything (floors, windows, carpets, etc.). Mix it with baking soda and essential oils to make a skin cleanser.
Baking soda: Can be used for everything, from freshening the air, to freshening the carpet or furniture, to scrubbing the toilet and tub.
3. “It's just not necessary.” Stay away from bleach and products containing chlorine they can burn skin and eyes and prove fatal if swallowed. Even worse, when it goes down the drain, it becomes toxic to the environment. Avoid paper towels – Use natural fiber sponges and rags to do the cleaning. Microfiber cloths are great and pick up dust like a magnet! When you make the switch to natural cleaning products, be sure to safely dispose any dangerous chemical products. Don't pour them down the drain, onto the ground, or into the trash. Read the labels or check with your waste management provider.
4. Reduce, Reuse, Donate, Recycle. Get the clutter out and the clean in. Once spring cleaning is finished, decide what to do with the stuff you don't need. You can reuse it, donate it, or recycle it.
Cleaning up your space for spring doesn't have to be dirty work. When you implement some of these tips, you can rest assured that you're benefiting your body, those around you, and the planet.
Johana Evans can be reached at (760)
560-6937 or [email protected].
This year, give your space a green spring cleaning the healthier way, healthier to reduce waste that ends up in our waterways or in landfill.
Did you know that indoor air pollution can be as much as 100 times worse than outdoor air pollution? Most of that pollution is emitted from gases and evaporation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from cleaning supplies, air fresheners, and even paint and carpet, bringing long-term adverse health effects. While we think we're cleaning and disinfecting, we're really loading the air with toxic chemicals!
Four easy tips:
1. Fresh Air. Feel the breeze and open the windows! The best way to get dirty air moving out and fresh air moving in is to open the doors and windows.
Fresh flowers in place of air fresheners! Chemical fresheners can cause eye, skin, and respiratory irritation. Aerosol air fresheners can damage nerves and lodge in your lungs. Fresh flowers, baking soda, and dried flowers add natural fragrance to the room.
2. Nature's Cleaning Miracles. Use vegetable-based cleaning products instead of harsh chemical cleaners. Vegetable-based cleaners, like those made with coconut oil, are becoming more popular every day. Even the makers of Clorox have a vegetable-based cleaning line on the market.
Vinegar: Vinegar can be used to clean just about anything (floors, windows, carpets, etc.). Mix it with baking soda and essential oils to make a skin cleanser.
Baking soda: Can be used for everything, from freshening the air, to freshening the carpet or furniture, to scrubbing the toilet and tub.
3. “It's just not necessary.” Stay away from bleach and products containing chlorine they can burn skin and eyes and prove fatal if swallowed. Even worse, when it goes down the drain, it becomes toxic to the environment. Avoid paper towels – Use natural fiber sponges and rags to do the cleaning. Microfiber cloths are great and pick up dust like a magnet! When you make the switch to natural cleaning products, be sure to safely dispose any dangerous chemical products. Don't pour them down the drain, onto the ground, or into the trash. Read the labels or check with your waste management provider.
4. Reduce, Reuse, Donate, Recycle. Get the clutter out and the clean in. Once spring cleaning is finished, decide what to do with the stuff you don't need. You can reuse it, donate it, or recycle it.
Cleaning up your space for spring doesn't have to be dirty work. When you implement some of these tips, you can rest assured that you're benefiting your body, those around you, and the planet.
Johana Evans can be reached at (760)
560-6937 or [email protected].