It’s April, a time of fresh starts, and fresh houses.
A spring clean gives you the chance to reset and refresh your home. Regular tidy-ups are advised so the job isn’t as daunting, but either way, we’ve got you covered.
Read on for some eco-friendly cleaning tips…
Make yourself an all-purpose cleaner
Starting off with a spring-cleaning tip that is not only eco-friendly but can save lots of pennies. Make your own all-purpose cleaner.
Using a homemade, all-purpose cleaner and popping it in an old spray bottle means you’ll be cutting down on products with lots of plastic packaging.
Simply mix 150ml water, 60ml white vinegar and 40ml surgical spirit (optional essential oil for fragrance!)
You can use this everywhere: worktops, the hob, cupboards, mirrors, and glass for a streak-free, quick-drying clean!
Natures cleaning tools
Lemons are an asset to any eco-friendly cleaning routine, with both antibacterial and antiseptic qualities.
Rub a slice of lemon on a cutting board to remove germs. Go a step further and dip lemon halves into salt and use them to scrub your pots back to their signature shine.
Another top tip is to use a lemon half to clean tricky cheese graters! Save your sponges from getting shredded by wiping graters with lemon before washing. It’ll loosen up anything stuck inside.
Clear the closet
We’re all guilty of it. Keeping items of clothing that no longer fit us, suit us or are falling apart because of sentimental value. It’s time to take inspiration from Marie Kondo and get rid of what doesn’t ‘spark joy.’ Whether you sell old items online or donate to your local charity shop, there are still ethical considerations.
While charity shops are always happy to welcome your donations, not every item goes on to have a second life. Research by Oxfam estimates ‘at least’ one million pounds of textiles donated end up in landfills.
Easy tips to ensure your donated items go on to a loving home include making sure everything you donate is washed, checking the quality and that there are no holes or missing buttons, and checking before you donate. Make sure to call your chosen charity shop before making a trip as they may be overcome with donations and prefer you wait a week or two to take new items in.
Repurpose old toothbrushes
If you’ve transitioned to using a more eco-friendly bamboo toothbrush and now have spare plastic ones laying around, don’t worry! They can be repurposed into handy cleaning tools. You can save your old toothbrushes from the bin and add them to your cleaning kit.
Toothbrushes can come in handy for cleaning any awkward spots in your home. The back of your taps, computer keyboards and the grout between your tiles. The small size and coarse bristles are perfect for cleaning stubborn grime.
If you’re looking for some home inspiration after your spring clean, head over to our portfolio to see all our previous properties or follow us at @altinluxury on Instagram