Spring is a time for new beginnings. Start off the new season with some spring cleaning from the clutter that may have piled up during the cold months. Here are some tips and tricks that are both eco-friendly and at a low-cost:
1. Your Closet:
Do you have clothes that don’t fit? Clothes with holes and tears? Or even clothes that you don’t ever wear anymore? There are many options you can do with unwanted clothing.
Donate:
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Plato’s Closet: earn some money and donate your unwanted clothes
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Goodwill: donate not only your unwanted clothes but also any books or home decor
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Ballard Community Service
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St. John’s Rummage House
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Clare’s Community Closet
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Lawrence Community Shelter
Reuse:
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T-shirt Quilt: can’t bear throwing out old t-shirts? Turn it into a nice and warm quilt.
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T-shirt Tote Bag: want to reduce the amount of plastic that you are using? Create a T-shirt tote bag for grocery shopping, library trips, or even just a cute fashion statement.
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New Clothing: Who said a T-shirt had to stay a T-shirt? Trimming, sewing, and cutting can turn that T-shirt into a completely new article of clothing.
Recycle:
- H&M Textile Recycling: Your clothes don’t even need to be brand new or intact! Not only can you clean out your closet, but each bag of clothing equals 15% off your next H&M purchase.
2. Your Bathroom:
One of the most touched areas in your apartment or house, spring is a great time to give your bathroom a good scrub.
- High-touch surfaces: Although many may think of wiping down countertops first, ask yourself, when was the last time you disinfected your light switches, faucet handles, or door knobs? Now is that time!
- Buy in bulk: Cleaning products take many years to go bad. As a result, buying in bulk will not only lessen the amount of times you have to go to the store, but also lessen the amount of plastic that is thrown away.
- Natural Home Cleaners: Believe or not, there are many ways to make at-home disinfectants of all kinds for all kinds of surfaces with only 2 or more ingredients. Google will be your friend in this. Avoid harsh chemicals this spring.
3. Your Technology:
You don’t need to just clean out physical spaces but technological spaces as well. Not only will it make finding things in your phone and computer faster, but it also may free up some space on your device and allow it to run faster.
- Delete any apps you don’t need: Haven’t touched a game app in over two months? It’s time to delete it. Your addiction to the game has hit a valley, and it’s time to free up that space on your device.
- Emails: Does your notification bubble next to your email app have a number over 100? It is time to clean out your emails. Unsubscribe from any subscriptions you don’t need anymore. Delete emails that are both junk or not needed.
- Contacts: Believe it or not, contacts can take up space in your technological devices. If you can’t remember who someone is or when you added them into your contact books, it may be time to delete their number.
- Pictures and Videos: All the TikToks and memes you may have accumulated over the year may be clogging up memory in your device. Clear out any unwanted images or videos.
