Spring Green Cleaning: Here’s How to Do It

Many families today are turning to green cleaning to help reduce their exposure to artificial fragrances and other chemicals found in conventional cleaning products. In addition to promoting better health, many green cleaning products are also better for the environment. Here’s some tips on how to adopt an eco-friendlier cleaning routine for your home.

Green Cleaning 101

Different people define green cleaning in different ways. For some, it means using products that just contain fewer chemical ingredients and fragrances. Others strictly adhere to natural or chemical-free cleaning agents, such as lime juice, vinegar and baking soda, while others choose to use commercial green cleaning products. Eco-friendly cleaners can also include those that are biodegradable for minimal impact on the environment.

How to Clean Your Windows

Deep cleaning your windows a few times a year is a great way to give your home an instant facelift. Here’s how: 

1. Clean the frame and trim with eco-friendly soap, water and a natural wood fibre cloth 

2. Give your window glass a good spray with a non-toxic, biodegradable window cleaner or vinegar 

3. Use a squeegee to wipe away the excess liquid 

4. Polish out any streaks in the glass with a microfibre cloth 

5. Dry the windowsill and trim with a reusable soft cloth vs. disposable paper towel

How to Clean Laminate & Hardwood Floors

Doing a deep spring cleaning of your floors is one of the most important parts of any heavy-duty cleaning project. If you have a hardwood floor make sure it’s well sealed with urethane and a good hardwood floor wax before applying any cleaners to it: 

1. Sweep any larger debris with a soft bristle broom 

2. Use your vacuum on a hard-floor setting to remove any additional dust and around baseboards 

3. Use an eco-friendly laminate & hardwood floor cleaner and a soft mop to remove dirt and grime 

4. Scrub any stuck-on areas or tight spaces around table legs with a natural wood fibre cloth 

5. Dry away any excess moisture on unsealed flooring

How to Clean Your Bathroom

The bathroom is one area of your home that probably needs spring cleaning the most. Here’s some tips on how to get your bathroom sparkling clean: 

• Spray down the vanity, sink, and faucets with an oxygen-activated bathroom cleaner and clean with a soft rag 

• Scrub any stuck-on areas with baking soda 

• Sprinkle the shower and tub with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide and rub clean to remove soap scum 

• Clean the floor with a mop and biodegradable grout & tile cleaner

How to Clean Your Toilet

The toilet is one of the least enjoyable areas of spring cleaning, but it must get done. Here’s how to go about it: 

• Spray the back of the toilet, outer bowl, and lower area with an eco-friendly bathroom cleaner and then wipe down with a natural wood fibre cloth 

• Spray the cleaning solution into the toilet bowl and scrub with a brush 

• Use an organic toilet bowl cleaner to remove lime scale, rust, dirt and grime

How to Clean Your Carpets

All your carpets should be cleaned thoroughly during spring cleaning for the health of your home. They can harbor bad odours and bacteria, as well as allergens such as dust and pollen. Here’s how to get them clean: 

• Vacuum all your carpeting and area rugs 

• Spot treat any noticeable stains with an oxygen-activated carpet stain remover to remove any organic stains from food, wine, grass, mud, pets etc. 

• Using a carpet cleaner and eco-friendly cleaning solution, shampoo your carpets 

• Small rugs can be taken outdoors and shampooed with eco-friendly cleaner and a scrub brush

How to Clean Your Tiles & Grout

Tile and grout cleaning can be tricky, but not impossible. Here’s how to do it in an eco-friendly way. 

• Mop over the floor tiles with a biodegradable grout & tile cleaner and handheld mop 

• Alternatively, you can try a paste of baking soda and water and smooth it into the tile grout 

• Use a firm bristled brush to scrub the grout gently 

• Wipe clean using a natural wood fibre cloth and water

How to Clean Your Kitchen

Cleaning your kitchen is one of the biggest jobs when spring cleaning. You will need to go over the usual areas, as well as locations you might not clean as frequently: 

• Wash any dirty dishes with eco-friendly dish washing liquid or detergent 

• Spray down your counters with an all-purpose green cleaner and wipe clean 

• Use the same dish soap to wipe down stainless steel appliances 

• Use a baking soda paste or biodegradable grout & tile cleaner to clean your tiled floor 

• Remove old food from the refrigerator and spray the shelves with green cleaner before wiping with a damp cloth 

• Spray your cabinet faces with eco-friendly cabinet cleaner and wipe away any accumulated grime

How to Clean Your Patio & Walkways

When spring cleaning your home, don’t forget outdoor areas. Using an eco-friendly cleaner will help prevent runoff of harmful chemicals into the environment. 

• Sweep or rake away any stray leaves, branches or dirt 

• Spray a green cleaner onto any stained or discolored areas 

• Use a large brush or utility broom to scrub your walkway or patio 

• Rinse using the garden hose 

• Use a pressure washer on hard to clean areas

Reusable Cloths & Materials

Using eco-friendly cleaning accessories is also important, both for your health and the environment. Here are some items to keep on hand: 

• Use eco-friendly rags and cheesecloths in place of disposable paper towels 

• Refill cleaning solution bottles with concentrate to reduce plastic waste 

• Use brushes and other supplies made from wood, bamboo and other non-plastic materials 

• If you do use paper products, try to find recycled or compostable options

Spring cleaning is never fun, but when it’s done you have a well-deserved sense of satisfaction. Using natural and eco-friendly cleaners will help give you peace-of-mind as well.