Spring is in full bloom! It is many people’s favorite season, and the best time to declutter and clean your home, even solar panels could benefit from some spring cleaning! Spring cleaning is a beloved tradition, but you may feel a bit guilty as you stare at the trash can full of paper towels. Adopting some green habits this year can help you make your spring cleaning more environmentally friendly while saving you money in the process.
Start with some fresh air
Did you know that the air inside your home has more pollutants than most outside air? Improper ventilation is to blame. Spring is the perfect time to let some fresh air inside your home. As a bonus, you may use less electricity by brightening your day with some natural light and cooling your home with crisp morning air. This can help you reduce energy consumption by avoiding light fixtures and unnecessary use of a cooling system. So open your windows and start your spring cleaning with an extra burst of sunshine and crisp air!
Gather green cleaning products
Now that you removed some pollutants from the air in your home, make sure you aren’t adding any additional ones. According to the American Lung Association, many household cleaning products contain toxic chemicals, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can contribute to respiratory problems, allergic reactions, and headaches. The association warns against air fresheners altogether. They recommend checking labels for VOCs, fragrances, irritants, and any flammable ingredients. Warm water and soap are often enough to clean surfaces. If you need more, consider adding baking soda for a stronger solution. Glass surfaces can be cleaned with a mixture of vinegar and water. Notice these simple cleaning solutions may be healthier and cheaper than the so-called “green” solutions at the supermarket.
Reduce waste by reusing tools
You may be on your way to purchasing rolls of paper towels for your cleaning project. Dont! Save money by using reusable cloths or newspapers. If you have an old t-shirt, repurpose it into a cleaning rag. Throwaway and single-use cleaning supplies just add to landfills. Sponges can be replaced by biodegradable cloths that are just as absorbent and better for the environment. For your floors, try a traditional washable mop or a mop with washable pads.
Spring cleaning for your mail
No one likes junk mail, especially the environmentally conscious. Set aside a day to go fully paperless. Sign up for paperless billing, and set up automatic payments while you’re at it! Not only is this good for the environment, but you regain control of your personal information. Going digital helps you keep your information secure and accessible at any time. You eliminate clutter and you can finally toss out that paper shredder. The University of Southern Indiana found that the average person wastes 680 pounds of paper a year. The average household throws out 13,000 pieces of paper annually, and most of it is from packaging and junk mail. You may think junk mail is just a nuisance, but it is actually hurting the environment.
Spring cleaning for your utility bill
Remember spring cleaning is a rite of passage each year. It marks new beginnings and the change of the seasons. It is also a great time to make a major change to your home. Going solar is a great way to invest in your home, and possibly save some money. Spring is a great time to begin your journey because it will set you up for summer. Summer is generally the peak production time for solar systems and may result in increasing your solar offset for the year. Talk to one of our Independent Authorized Dealers about the benefits of solar in spring and year-round.