Top-Five Tips for a Greener, Cleaner Spring

With the arrival of spring, comes the annual clean. For many people, however, the pleasure of spring cleaning comes only after the work is finished. To inspire the community’s spring cleaning efforts, Waste Management of Southern California is sharing a few tips to clean your home in an eco-friendly way.

“A few small changes like utilizing green cleaning products and materials can significantly improve indoor air quality, shrink resource consumption, and reduce waste,” said Eloisa Orozco, spokesperson for Waste Management of Southern California. “We’re excited to share some of the favorite ways community members can help turn waste into a resource while having cleaner homes!”

Here are Waste Management’s “Top-Five Tips for a Greener, Cleaner Spring:”

1. Comb your cabinets for cleaning tools you already have. Opt for vinegar instead of chemically-based cleaners and scrubs. Vinegar is a very effective, natural cleaning agent that can be used to wash everything from kitchen floors to windows with little to no effect on the environment. Also, baking soda can be made into a paste to scrub dirty sink drains, and Kosher salt makes for a great scrubbing tool for baked-on stains.

2. Open your windows to let fresh air in and stale air out. Try opening windows on opposite ends of the house for a great cross-breeze. This can refresh your home in a way that even the most aggressive, artificial air fresheners can’t touch. If you want an even fresher scent to your home, don’t reach for an air freshener since perfumes can mask the smell of toxic chemicals. Instead, use baking soda, dried flowers or cedar blocks to freshen up a room.

3. Collect unwanted clothes such as worn sheets (flannel works well) for reusable sponges and rags. You can also cut up old cotton shirts for washable, reusable floor sweepers. Donate all other unwanted clothing items such as shirts, pants and shoes to your local charity and help keep the reuse cycle going.

4. Properly check and clean your home appliances to ensure they are running their best. Remove lint and dust from your refrigerator coils and freezer, around your dryer, furnace and any vents to keep indoor air quality at its best and keep fire hazards at a minimum.

5. Turn waste into a resource by starting a compost pile in your backyard! Springtime is a great time to start, as temperatures rise, compostable items including old food, spices and coffee grounds will break down more easily. For more information on how to compost, visit http://www2.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home.

ABOUT WASTE MANAGEMENT

Waste Management, based in Houston, Texas, is the leading provider of comprehensive waste management services in North America. Through its subsidiaries, the company provides collection, transfer, recycling and resource recovery, and disposal services. It is also a leading developer, operator and owner of landfill gas-to-energy facilities in the United States. The company’s customers include residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers throughout North America. To learn more information about Waste Management visit www.wm.com or www.thinkgreen.com.