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"Sustainable living means understanding how our lifestyle choices impact the world around us and finding ways for everyone to live better and lighter."
As the wind blows your outdoor furniture away, the mud caked on your shoes feels like you’re dragging sticky concrete blobs around, and the allergies kick in big time…
Actually, let’s start over...
As the sun peeks through the blinds and birdsong fills the air on a bluebird day, it's time to embrace the rejuvenating ritual of spring cleaning. But this year, let's approach it with a sustainable twist that will benefit us and our homes all year round.
Going far beyond dusting the house from top to bottom and mopping the floors, here are some suggestions for refreshing our homes while minimizing our environmental footprint, improving overall well-being, and even saving some money in the process.
1. Declutter with Purpose
Start by going through each room and identifying items you no longer need or use. Set aside clothes, books, toys, and household and gardening items that you can donate to local charities or pass on to friends to neighbors who need them. Remember, one person’s clutter could be another’s useful treasure. Here are some suggestions in the decluttering department:
🗹 Revamp Your Wardrobe
Conduct a thorough inventory of your clothing and accessories, sorting items into categories such as everyday wear, special occasions, and seasonal garments. Donate gently used clothing that no longer fits or suits your style to local charities or clothing drives, and consider repurposing worn-out pieces, for example, as reusable cleaning rags or to cut up and sew into other useful items.
🗹 Do a Bookshelf Makeover
Pare down your overflowing book collection by setting aside titles you've already read or no longer intend to read. Donate books to libraries, schools, or community organizations, host a book swap with friends and neighbors (do you have a "tiny library in your neighborhood?) to exchange literary treasures, or bring those well-loved books to a used bookstore for cash or, better yet, store credit.
🗹 Triage Toys, Too
Involve children in the decluttering process by encouraging them to select toys they no longer play with or have outgrown. Donate gently used toys to shelters, daycare centers, or charitable organizations that support families in need, and establish designated storage areas to keep toys organized and easily accessible.
🗹 Do a Kitchen Cleanout
Empty cabinets and drawers to assess kitchenware and cooking utensils. Donate duplicates or excess cookware, dishes, and gadgets, and repurpose or recycle broken items that no longer serve a purpose as is. Organize essentials in designated zones based on functionality to streamline your kitchen setup. Do the same with food by organizing your pantry, fridge, and freezer spaces, making sure that the oldest stuff or anything that expires sooner than later is at the front.
🗹 Overhaul the Home Office
Sort through paperwork and office supplies, shredding outdated documents (compost or use as firestarter if possible), and recycling old magazines or catalogs. Create an efficient workspace by decluttering desktops and filing cabinets, implementing an effective filing system for important documents, and minimizing distractions to enhance productivity and focus.
🗹 Sort Sentimental Selections
Preserve cherished memories while minimizing clutter by curating sentimental items such as photographs, letters, and mementos. Digitize memories when possible and organize them into photo albums or scrapbooks to save space. Display treasured keepsakes in shadow boxes or memory jars to honor their significance without overwhelming your living space.
2. Organize with Intention
After decluttering, it's time to organize your remaining belongings with purpose and mindfulness. By creating well-organized spaces, you not only prevent clutter from re-accumulating but also make it easier to see what you have on hand, reducing the likelihood of overbuying and eliminating waste of both things and money.
Whenever possible, opt for sustainable organizing solutions such as bamboo storage bins and baskets, recycled organizers, or repurposed containers.
🗹 Prioritize the Pantry
Take stock of your pantry staples and organize them in a way that maximizes visibility and accessibility. Group similar items together and consider using clear containers or labels to easily identify contents. This not only helps prevent food waste by ensuring items are used before they expire but also streamlines meal planning and grocery shopping. You can also group items by meal.
🗹 Bring Clarity to Your Closets
Arrange clothing and accessories so you can see everything at a glance. Consider organizing items by category, color, or frequency of use to make getting dressed as easy as a spring breeze. Donate items you no longer wear and repair or repurpose worn-out favorites to extend their lifespan.
🗹 Tidy Up the Tools
Sort through your tools, hardware, and DIY supplies and organize them in labeled containers, drawers, cubbies, shelves, racks, or tubs. This not only makes it easier to find what you need when tackling home projects but also prevents unnecessary purchases of items you already own. Don't forget to sort all those random screws, bolts, nails, and other leftover bits and bobs so you know what you have and don't accidentally buy more of what you don't need.
🗹 Streamline Storage
Evaluate your storage solutions and optimize them for efficiency and accessibility. Utilize vertical space with shelving or hooks, invest in stackable storage bins, and consider repurposing underutilized areas such as the space under beds or stairs. By making the most of your available space, you can avoid the temptation to accumulate excess belongings.
🗹 Bring Digital Order to the Disorder
Extend your organizing efforts to your digital life by decluttering your devices and organizing files and folders in a logical manner. Delete unnecessary files, unsubscribe from unused subscriptions, and back up important documents to prevent loss and frustration.
3. Recycle and Repurpose Responsibly
Gather up old electronics, batteries, and other recyclables lurking in drawers and closets. If you don't have curbside pickup service, visit drop-off locations where you can properly dispose of these items.
Here are some suggestions for these two (of seven) Rs of sustainable living:
🗹 Evaluate Your Electronics
Take inventory of old electronics gathering dust in your home, including outdated computers, smartphones, and appliances. Before recycling them, consider whether these items can be refurbished or repurposed for another use within your household. Donate functioning electronics to local charities or schools, or explore trade-in programs offered by manufacturers or retailers to responsibly dispose of electronic waste while potentially earning incentives for future purchases.
Businesses like Best Buy, Staples, and Walmart accept various electronics and other items for recycling (check their lists of accepted items online, like this one from Staples) and sometimes give you a little cash or store credit in return.
🗹 Think About Batteries
Collect spent batteries from remote controls, gadgets, and household devices and research local recycling programs or drop-off locations that accept batteries for proper disposal. Many retailers and community organizations offer battery recycling services to prevent hazardous materials from contaminating the environment. Consider changing over to rechargeable batteries (<--our recommendations) instead.
🗹 Consider Plastic Packaging Reuse
Repurpose plastic packaging such as containers, bottles, and bags for storage, organization, or creative DIY projects. Use clean plastic containers to store small items like craft supplies, hardware, or pantry staples, and upcycle plastic bags into makeshift storage solutions or eco-friendly gift wrap alternatives. By giving plastic packaging a second life, you reduce the demand for new plastic products and minimize waste sent to landfills.
🗹 Transform Textiles
Extend the lifespan of worn or damaged textiles by repurposing them or donating them to textile recycling programs. Cut old clothing and linens into cleaning rags or reusable shopping bags, or explore upcycling projects such as quilting, patchwork, or crafting. Many textile recycling facilities accept worn-out or torn textiles for processing into new materials, diverting textiles from landfills and supporting a circular economy.
🗹 Get Creative with Cardboard
Transform cardboard packaging from household goods or deliveries into imaginative DIY projects or practical storage solutions. Reuse cardboard tubes from paper towels or toilet paper rolls as seed starters for gardening or as cable organizers for electronics. Cardboard can also be reused like a biodegradable mulch to create new garden beds. By repurposing cardboard, you reduce waste and unleash your creativity while minimizing environmental impact.
4. Use Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
Swap out harsh chemical cleaners for environmentally friendly alternatives. Look for biodegradable and non-toxic options that are gentle on both your home and the planet. Better yet, try making your own cleaners using simple ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils.
🗹 Try a DIY All-Purpose Cleaner
Mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle for a versatile cleaner that tackles grease, grime, and stains on countertops, sinks, and appliances.
🗹 Make a Simple Lemon Fresh Scrub
Combine baking soda with a few drops of lemon essential oil to create a gentle abrasive scrub for tackling tough stains on surfaces like tubs, tiles, and grout.
🗹 Freshener the Air Naturally
Say goodbye to synthetic air fresheners and opt for natural alternatives like simmering citrus peels and spices on the stove or placing bowls of baking soda infused with essential oils around your home to absorb odors.
🗹 Use a Green Laundry Detergent
Choose eco-friendly laundry detergents that are free from harsh chemicals and artificial fragrances. Alternatively, use "zero-waste" laundry detergent sheets or make your own detergent using soap nuts or baking soda and washing soda.
5. Make Energy-Efficient Upgrades
Spring cleaning the sustainable living way can also include reducing our energy usage and waste. While going through your home, decluttering, organizing, and cleaning, take this opportunity to assess your home's energy consumption, too.
🗹 Use LED Lighting
Replace traditional incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LED bulbs, which consume up to 80% less energy and last much longer. This will save both electricity and money on replacements. (Note that some companies that sell LEDs often will send free replacements if any you have don't last as long as they say they should. Happened to us. Sent them an email, and they gave us new ones.)
🗹 Seal Air Leaks
Use weatherstripping and caulking to seal gaps around windows, doors, and vents to prevent heated or cooled air from escaping, reducing the workload on your HVAC system and lowering energy bills.
🗹 Set a Smart Thermostat
Consider installing a programmable or smart thermostat to regulate your home's temperature more efficiently. The thermostat can adjust settings based on your schedule and preferences to minimize energy waste.
🗹 Insulate Hot Water Pipes
Wrap hot water pipes with insulation to prevent heat loss as water travels from your heater to faucets and showers, reducing the energy needed to maintain hot water temperatures.
6. Make Your Garden Even Greener
Extend your spring cleaning efforts to the outdoors by tidying up your garden or outdoor space. Clear away and compost debris and start planning your sustainable garden with drought-tolerant plants and water-saving strategies, including mulching to slow evaporation.
🗹 Use Water-Wise Landscaping
Choose drought-tolerant plants native to the region and group them according to their water needs to minimize water usage.
🗹 Harvest Rainwater
Install rain barrels or cisterns—or maybe add more if you already have some—to capture rainwater runoff from your roof. This will provide a free and sustainable water source for watering your garden during dry spells. Learn more about whole-house potable rainwater systems here.
🗹 Try Some Mulch Magic
Apply a layer of organic mulch, such as straw, leaves, pine needles, or grass clippings, around plants to retain moisture in the soil, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature, reducing the need for frequent watering. (This is a good book all about how to mulch.)
🗹 Create Compost
Start a compost pile or bin to recycle organic waste from your kitchen and garden into nutrient-rich compost, enriching soil fertility and reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers. You can buy any number of different compost bins or make one yourself from materials you may already have lying around, like old pallets, leftover wire fencing or chicken wire, or cinder blocks.
7. Practice Mindful Consumption
Spring is a great time to create new habits, too. Before heading out to buy new storage containers or organizational gadgets, consider repurposing items you already have or sourcing second-hand alternatives. Opt for durable, long-lasting products that can be reused or recycled when they reach the end of their lifespan.
🗹 Consume Consciously
Before making new purchases, evaluate your needs versus wants and consider the environmental and social impacts of the products you're considering. Try to choose high-quality, durable items that serve multiple purposes or have a long lifespan, reducing the frequency of replacements and minimizing waste generation over time.
🗹 Do a Second-Hand Treasure Hunt
Explore thrift stores, consignment shops, and online marketplaces for preloved treasures that offer unique charm and character. Embrace the thrill of the hunt as you uncover one-of-a-kind finds, from vintage furniture and clothing to retro kitchenware and decor. By opting for second-hand goods, you extend the lifecycle of existing products and divert items from landfills while saving money and reducing resource consumption associated with manufacturing new items. Not to mention that many second-hand stores raise money for good causes.
🗹 Repair and Reuse
Extend the life of your belongings by repairing, refurbishing, repurposing, and upcycling items that are showing signs of wear or damage. Invest in basic repair tools and resources or seek assistance from local repair cafes, community workshops, or online tutorials to tackle DIY fixes for clothing, appliances, electronics, and household goods. By embracing a culture of repair and reuse, you can learn valuable new skills, foster resourcefulness, and reduce the environmental footprint of your possessions.
🗹 Adopt a Minimalist Mindset
Spring cleaning can equate to adopting a minimalist approach to consumption by decluttering and simplifying your surroundings to prioritize what truly adds value and joy to your life. Practice intentional purchasing by focusing on experiences, relationships, and personal growth rather than accumulating material possessions. Embrace the philosophy of "less is more" to free yourself from the burden of excess stuff, reduce consumption-driven stress, and live more consciously and authentically.
🗹 Make Sustainable Swaps
Explore eco-friendly alternatives to conventional products and practices to minimize your environmental impact and promote sustainability in your daily life. Replace single-use items with reusable alternatives such as stainless steel water bottles, cloth shopping bags, and silicone food storage bags. Opt for natural, biodegradable materials over synthetic counterparts whenever possible, from bamboo toothbrushes and "zero-waste" hair care products to organic cotton textiles and eco-friendly cleaning supplies. By making sustainable swaps, you reduce waste generation, conserve natural resources, and support eco-conscious businesses committed to positive environmental stewardship.
🗹 Share and Borrow
Embrace a sharing economy mindset by participating in community sharing initiatives, like tool libraries, book exchanges, and neighborhood swap meets. Share resources, skills, and experiences with friends, family, and neighbors to reduce individual consumption and maximize collective utilization. Try to borrow items you need temporarily rather than purchasing them outright and then reciprocate by lending out items you own but infrequently use. By fostering a culture of sharing and collaboration, we can build social connections, promote resource efficiency, and contribute to a more sustainable, connected, and resilient community.
8. Reduce Paper Waste
Go digital whenever possible by opting for e-bills, e-statements, and digital subscriptions. Scan and digitize important documents to reduce paper clutter and create a more streamlined filing system.
🗹 Choose Paperless Payment Options
Enroll in electronic billing and payment services offered by utility companies, banks, and service providers to receive and pay bills online to reduce the paper waste associated with traditional mail delivery. Some companies and services offer discounts for going paperless.
🗹 Opt-Out of Junk Mail
Contact companies and organizations to unsubscribe from mailing lists and promotional offers. This will reduce the influx of unwanted paper advertisements and catalogs into your mailbox.
9. Embrace Minimalism
Simplify your surroundings by embracing the principles of minimalism. Focus on quality over quantity, and let go of excess possessions that no longer serve a purpose or bring you joy. Embracing a more intentional lifestyle prioritizes quality over quantity, clarity over clutter, and mindfulness over materialism. These actionable steps empower us to declutter our physical and digital spaces, optimize our living environment, and cultivate a more meaningful and sustainable way of life.
🗹 Declutter with Intention
Yes, you've seen this one before (see #1 above), but it fits here, too. Embrace the minimalist mindset by decluttering your living space and letting go of excess possessions that no longer serve a purpose or bring you happiness. You can try the KonMari method or similar decluttering techniques to assess each item's value and determine whether it aligns with your vision of a simpler, more intentional lifestyle. Donate or sell items that no longer serve you, and focus on curating a curated collection of essentials that enhance your quality of life and reflect your priorities and values.
🗹 Choose Quality Over Quantity
Shift your focus from accumulating possessions to investing in high-quality items that are built to last. Prioritize craftsmanship, durability, and timeless design when making purchasing decisions, whether it's furniture, clothing, electronics, or household goods. Choose versatile, multifunctional pieces that offer practicality and longevity, reducing the need for frequent replacements and minimizing waste.
🗹 Optimize Your Space
Maximize the functionality and visual appeal of your living space by embracing minimalist design principles. Keep surfaces clear of clutter and opt for streamlined storage solutions that prioritize organization and efficiency—which makes them easier to clean, too! Invest in multifunctional furniture with built-in storage or minimalist aesthetics that complement your space without overwhelming it. Create designated zones for different activities and minimize distractions to foster a sense of calm and clarity in your home environment.
🗹 Do a Digital Detox
Apply minimalist principles to your digital life by decluttering and organizing your digital devices, files, and online accounts. Streamline your digital workspace by deleting unnecessary apps, emails, and files and organizing remaining digital assets into folders and categories for easy access. Practice mindful consumption of digital content by limiting screen time, unsubscribing from irrelevant newsletters and notifications, and curating your digital feeds to prioritize quality over quantity.
🗹 Try Some Mindful Maintenance
Cultivate a mindset of mindful maintenance by embracing the mantra of "less is more" in your daily routines and responsibilities. Simplify your commitments, obligations, and possessions to reduce overwhelm and create space for what truly matters. Prioritize self-care, relaxation, and meaningful experiences over busyness and material pursuits, allowing yourself to savor life's simple pleasures and cultivate gratitude for the present moment.
Expand Your Spring Cleaning Routine the Sustainable Living Way
Along with decluttering, organizing, dusting, scrubbing, and polishing, there's a lot more we can do to clean up our living spaces and improve our daily lives this spring and beyond.
By aligning minimalist values with sustainability and embracing eco-friendly practices, we can reduce our environmental footprint while enjoying greater life satisfaction and overall well-being, too. Do you know all seven Rs of sustainable living?
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