20th March marks the first day of spring. The season of renewal, starting afresh, and some much-needed warmer weather. It is also the season of spring cleaning.
A great way to declutter both the home and the mind, spring cleaning increases productivity and reduces stress levels – which is particularly helpful when working from home. It leaves you with a clean house, and a renewed sense of self.
Encouraging the nation to clean green this spring, ethical cleaning company Bio-D has put together some quick tips and tricks for an eco-friendly spring clean.
Ditch the tumble dryer
Make the most of the warmer weather by ditching the tumble dryer and hanging clothes and bedding outside on a washing line.
Did you know tumble dryers emit over 400kg of CO2 a year?* By not using a tumble dryer and opting for a washing line in the garden, a household’s carbon emissions can be significantly reduced!
It also leaves your washing smelling much fresher, and reduces the risk of snags and shrinking that often result from a tumble dry cycle.
Opt for ethical cleaning products
A number of traditional household name cleaning products include chemicals that have the potential to negatively impact the environment and harm our wildlife.
Ingredients like titanium dioxide and optical brighteners can cause pollution in watercourses, with others like benzisothiazolinone and petroleum-derived additives being linked to skin irritation.
Keep an eye out for these ingredients and try products that use plant-based and naturally-derived ingredients instead.
Both environmentally-friendly and vegan, green cleaning company Bio-D’s range of products are a great option for lessening your impact on the environment.
Don’t forget to recycle
55% of the UK’s plastic waste currently ends up in landfill sites, where it can take hundreds – or even thousands – of years to degrade.
It may seem easier to throw everything away at once – including your empty cleaning products’ packaging – but remembering to separate waste and recycling can make a real difference to the world we live in.
Separate recyclable plastics from general waste, and if you come across household items that are too good to throw away that you don’t need, make sure to donate to your local charity store to help a good cause.
Forget air fresheners
Designed to release aromas into the air, traditional air fresheners can actually emit potentially harmful chemicals into your home that damage the environment, for example benzene – which is also emitted from paints, dyes and car exhausts.
The alternative? Do your research to find eco-friendly substitutes – Etsy stock a range of natural air fresheners created by independent businesses.
For more information on green cleaning company Bio-D, visit: www.biod.co.uk.
