3 ECO-FRIENDLY HOME SWAPS TO MAKE WHEN YOU DECLUTTER YourGuideto Spring- Greening
CLEANING THE HEART OF YOUR HOME Don’t Forget About the Utility Closet!
It takes a special kind of person to enjoy spring-cleaning. For most of us, the satisfaction of a clean house doesn’t quite outweigh the hours of
As you dust, vacuum, organize, and declutter, don’t forget about the one room that often gets neglected: the utility closet. This advice is applicable year-round, not just in the spring as we talk about spring-cleaning. The utility closet is often home to your furnace, boiler, water heater, AC junction, and other similar large appliances. The utility closet, and to a lesser extent, the pantry, are easy to forget about because they are often behind closed doors. However, forgetting to clean the room that houses the various parts of your HVAC system can cost you in the long run. Settling dust, for instance, can be hard on HVAC systems. Over time, dust accumulates in the HVAC intake system and clogs the air filter, reducing its effectiveness and efficiency. This results in a shortened lifespan for your system, higher power bills, and a poorly heated or cooled home. • Homes with light foot traffic (single or double occupancy) and no pets or allergies: 6–12 months • Family homes (three or more occupants) with no pets or allergies: 3–6 months • Family homes with at least one pet or minor allergies: 2–3 months • Family homes with multiple pets or allergies: 1–2 months In addition to changing the air filter, it’s important to schedule a routine inspection of your home’s HVAC system to identify potential How Often Should You Replace Your Air Filter?
scrubbing, sorting, and slogging through heaps of unnecessary stuff. If you’re struggling to find the motivation to start your spring- cleaning, try flipping the paradigm: Instead of spring-cleaning, think
of what you’re doing as spring- greening , and make some eco- friendly swaps along the way. Here are a few ideas to get you started. 1. Swap your plastic spray bottles for bulk or DIY cleaning products. According to a Statista report, in 2019, the household cleaners market was worth more than $31 billion, and it’s continuously growing. You can save money on cleaning supplies by taking the green route. When your current stock runs out, try buying bulk cleaners or making your own. Both options will save plastic because you can reuse your bottles, and they can help you avoid the harmful chemicals found in most cleaners. Visit UnderATinRoof. com and read the blog post “Zero Waste Cleaning Supplies + Recipes” to get started. 2. Explore alternative laundry detergents. If you’re used to using a plastic jug of liquid laundry detergent, it’s time to step out of your comfort zone. This spring, try exploring greener alternatives like plant-based bulk laundry powder (Molly’s Suds is an excellent source). Or, if you’re feeling really adventurous, you can even try adding all-natural cleaners like soap nuts or English ivy to your laundry loads. For more on the former, search “soap nuts” on 1MillionWomen.com, and read up on ivy detergent at Permacrafters.com/English-Ivy-Laundry-Detergent. 3. Say goodbye to paper towels. Paper towels are a mainstay in many homes, but do we really need them when a good old-fashioned rag can do the job? This spring, quit paper towels and keep a stash of dish rags under the sink to do your dirty work. When you’re cleaning out your closet, you can even cut up old T-shirts and add them to your rag stash! If you’re brave, try giving up tissues, too — an old-school hanky does the trick. If you’ve made all three of these swaps, don’t stop there! To continue your green journey, visit any of the blogs mentioned above and start browsing.
problems. On top of that, you can get these systems professionally cleaned and maintained.
These simple steps will keep your home’s air systems running smoothly for years to come. Plus, you’ll be prepared for the summer months ahead! If you’re ready to get started, we’re only a phone call away at 604-532-9625.
2 • www.lewismaclean.com
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