Spring Cleaning can be soooo satisfying, but emptying your house shouldn’t mean filling a landfill. That’s why we’ve made a quick checklist of easy Spring Cleaning swaps that reduce waste without adding clutter. Bonus: You could make some extra $$$ too!
DEAD LEAVES
DON’T: Burn them, which could harm the air quality for you + the wildlife in your area.
DO: Pack them around your trees and shrubs for extra root protection, or add them to your compost bin so they can easily become part of the soil again.
OLD JEANS
DON’T: Leave them on your stoop and hope someone takes them
DO: Bring them to Madewell, where they recycle any brand of denim into insulation pulp—and give you $20 off your next pair of jeans.
TATTERED TOWELS
DON’T: Chuck them!
DO: Cut them into strips, braid them, and turn them into dog toys for your pet, or those at a local shelter. Here’s how.
CLOGGED DRAINS
DON’T: Flush them with harmful chemicals that can harm our waterways.
DO: Boil a pot of water, then pour it down the drain. Follow with a mixture of 1 cup water, 1 cup white vinegar, and 1 cup baking soda. Top it off with another pot of boiling water, and you’ve naturally cleared your pipes!
DIRTY FLOORS
DON’T: Replace your disposable plastic mop pads with… uh… more disposable plastic mop pads when you’re Swiffering the floor.
DO: Use old rags or reusable cloth pads to minimize waste and save $$$. (Those throwaway wipes are like $12 a box!)
CROWDED BRAIN
DON’T: Worry about it.
