a/k/a The Green Clean

Please enjoy this blog post on eco-friendly cleaning by Mark Harris, an occasional contributor to Green Life Blue Water and one of the contributors to the free DIY eco site, Awareness Toolkits. Thanks, Mark.

A clean, organized, and healthy home provides numerous benefits to its occupants, including fewer allergies, less stress, more motivation, and better concentration, to name just a few. Who doesn’t love the sound of that? Today we are sharing these simple, eco-friendly cleaning tips to organize your house and make it sparkle with chemical-free cleanliness.

Change Your Air Filter

Before you do any cleaning, change your HVAC air filter. Air filters should be changed on a regular basis to maintain healthy air quality in the home. A dirty filter can strain your HVAC system and increase your energy consumption, and there’s nothing green about that! When you buy a new filter, look for one with a MERV rating of 8. To help you save a little money on the cost of these filters, search for online savings that you can use to your advantage. For example, Target coupons and cashback offers can make this cost more manageable.

Ditch the Clutter

Your HVAC system will remove dust from your air, but what about all the surfaces in your home still harboring grime and bacteria? Decluttering can help you tackle problem areas and cut down on the amount of cleaning you need to do on a regular basis. Plus, according to Prevention, decluttering is essential for reducing stress and anxiety. When you’re surrounded only by items that you love, you’ll feel positive all day long!

There are plenty of great ways to get rid of stuff you no longer want without throwing it all in the trash. Hold a yard sale, list smaller items for sale online, and donate to local charities. Also, find out where you can recycle various broken electronics—these can leak toxic chemicals into the environment when they end up in the landfill. 

Make It Easy to Stay Organized

Once you’ve removed things you no longer want, set up simple organizational systems to keep your home feeling balanced and peaceful. For example, try creating a nice space by your entryway to hang jackets, store shoes, and stash bags so these items don’t end up all over your house. Forbes recommends keeping a dedicated basket or tote bag for collecting items you would like to bring somewhere to donate. Stop adding stuff to junk drawers, give each item you own a special place in your home, and develop a nightly routine that involves tidying before bed—waking up to a clean house every morning is super refreshing and energizing!

Make Your Own Cleaning Supplies

Believe it or not, you can keep your home fresh and germ-free without using chemicals at all. Most household cleaning products release harmful chemicals into the air and waterways, hurting both you and the environment. Instead, make your own cleaning products with common pantry items. Greatist has compiled an awesome list of recipes you can try.

Rearrange Your Space

Being in your home should feel peaceful. If something feels off, you may need to do some rearranging and redecorating. Textures, colors, lighting, and even the size of objects in a room will contribute to the overall sense of balance. One way to bring balance to your home is to paint your walls in calming shades of blues, greens, and soft neutral colors. Just make sure to choose eco-friendly paints to keep chemicals out of your home’s air. Head over to BalancedBabe for more tips on making your home feel more harmonious.

Bring Nature Indoors

Finally, add a few touches of nature throughout your home. Live plants, as well as paintings and photographs that depict nature, can infuse your home with a sense of calm. Even natural elements, such as wood, bamboo, and stone, can create a more relaxed atmosphere and help you focus on any tasks you need to get done. For bonus points, choose air-purifying plants like peace lilies and Boston ferns.

A home that’s clean and organized feels great to live in. Purge your clutter, get in the habit of tidying up on a regular basis, and opt for eco-friendly cleaning practices to maintain a healthy home environment for your family.