After a long winter, it’s that time once again.  Every year, we all have to cut through the dirt and get organized.  Thorough spring cleaning is a great idea if you’ve been shut in all winter.  You’ll feel better, your home will look better, and guests will feel more welcome.  Cleaning is a great way to celebrate spring and feel better about yourself and your home.  There’s a reason we have a tradition of doing it in the spring, after the long, dim winter months.  It can really help you feel more alive.

However, many mainstream cleaning products and techniques aren’t so environmentally or health friendly as we might like them to be.  Dangerous and harsh cleaning solutions are bad for the world around us, and they’re not so great to get on your skin, breathe, or otherwise be exposed to.  This is even more of a concern if you’ve got small children or free roaming pets in the house who might come into contact with cleaning chemicals.

The good news is that a healthier, more ecologically friendly spring clean isn’t hard to do.  You won’t have to worry as much about kids getting into the cleaning cabinet.  Here are some tips to help you get the job done quickly and easily so you can enjoy your tidy home.  Cleaning can be easy, healthy, and worry free, as long as you know how to do it.

Indoor air pollution can actually be a lot worse than outdoor pollution, even in cities with air quality problems.  It’s been said that indoor air conditions are often as much as a hundred times worse than those of the air outside.  A lot of that comes from volatile organic compounts (VOCs) and offgasing of cleaning supplies, paint, wallpaper, carpeting, dry cleaning materials, and other substances inside the home.  You might not know that many of the substances used to clean and disinfect bring their own toxins and problems.

So, if you’re concerned about a healthy environment in the home for you and your family, step one is to open the windows and get fresh, comfortable air moving around.  It doesn’t take all that much effort to do, and you’ll be amazed by the great results.  All the musty smells of winter will be carried away, your home will feel a lot better, and you’ll get to enjoy the breeze, too.  Spring is a great time in almost any climate, so enjoy that fresh air before it gets too hot to be pleasant.

Next, take a look at what you’re using for cleaning, disinfecting, and deodorizing.  Chemical air fresheners are a big culprit, with aerosols being the worse - the substances in them can cause lung and nerve damage in some people.  Think about using essential oils, dried or fresh flowers, homemade potpourri (the commercial types are often laden with chemicals), cedar, or even just an open box or dish of baking soda.  Cinnamon, orange peels, and cloves simmered on the stove will make your home smell deliciously fresh, for instance, and other spices work very well, too.  All these things can make your home smell much better without causing environmental or health problems and most of them use a lot less packaging, too.

Many cleaners contain dangerous chemicals, too.  Detergents are made from petroleum, which isn’t harmful to our health, but can be harsh and uses a lot of oil.  Soap based cleaners from vegetable sources like coconut or olive oil are known for being gentler, but they’ll still get the cleaning done.  Use bleaches and commercial cleaners sparingly and only when other alternatives aren’t doing the job.  After all, chlorine containing products can burn eyes and skin, and are extremely dangerous when swallowed.