Is it time for a fresh start? Spring cleaning offers one. This year, make your annual chore kinder to the planet by choosing eco-friendly cleansers and techniques. What can you do to tread softly on Mother Earth while getting your home sparkling? Here are six green tips to make your spring cleaning eco-friendly.

1. Invest in Green Storage Solutions

As you clean out various closets, pantries and cabinets, you’re sure to find stuff you want to keep to repurpose, but need to store for the moment. Most folks head for the plastic storage bin display at the local big-box store, but we know better. Plastics often emit VOCs that poison the air, but you can go green by using wooden milk crates, canvas, or rattan bins to stow your stuff.

Some items might need extra TLC. For example, if you have gas cans or leftover fireworks from your last Fourth of July party, you can protect your stash from young children by investing in a locking steel crate. Most metals are nearly infinitely recyclable as well as long-lasting and fire-resistant.

2. Gather Your Green Cleaning Tool Chest

Have you ever read the ingredient list on one of your commercial cleaning products — or tried to? You probably couldn’t pronounce half the chemicals without a degree. Fortunately, it’s easy to whip up eco-friendly spring cleaning solutions that work as well or better than those found on shelves without the high accidental poisoning risk or questionable emissions.

Here are the supplies you’ll need to make homemade cleansers to tackle nearly any mess:

White distilled cleaning vinegar
Hydrogen peroxide
Borax
Baking soda
Castile soap
Tea tree oil
Salt
Your favorite essential oils for fragrance

Pro-tip: A handheld steam cleaner is a nifty gadget worth the investment. These little magic wands lift stains from couches and area rugs using only water. If you have deeper pockets, a combination steam vacuum/floor mop can also sanitize with the power of heat.

3. Assess for Deep-Down Messes

What’s the toughest chore you have to tackle? Often, managing them first gives you the momentum to handle the rest. However, leaving them looming on your psyche prompts procrastination and guilty Netflix binges.

Creating a to-do list can give you the satisfaction of crossing off your biggest chores when they’re done. Use a whiteboard to make your list as an eco-friendly alternative to paper. Put your hardest tasks at the top of your list, and breathe a sigh of relief every time you get to erase one.

4. Make a Realistic Schedule

Once you tame the beasts, it’s time to handle the rest of the mess. Make a list for this stage. You might go room by room. Alternatively, those with smaller pads might take a top-down approach, handling chores like cleaning the ceiling fans before mopping the floors to avoid wiping up the same dirt twice. A plan will help you breeze through the dusting, vacuuming and mopping.

To make these processes eco-friendly, opt for reusable supplies that can serve multiple purposes. Skip paper towels and disinfectant wipes by using cloth towels and refillable spray bottles. Some stores have an eco-friendly section in their cleaning supplies aisle, but think twice before stocking up on every available product.

The key to cleaning sustainably is to use only what you need and being cautious of greenwashing. For example, a roll of reusable “paper” towels may seem greener than disposable rolls, but do you really need to buy them when you already have regular towels at home? When looking at refillable products, like dish soap or multipurpose cleaner, pay attention to the containers the refills come in. Look for plastic-free packaging to really make your cleaner more sustainable.

5. Freshen Your Home Naturally

Remember those essential oils? It’s time to use them to freshen your home naturally. An aromatherapy mister avoids the chemicals associated with paraffin wax candles.

Natural Fabric and Rug Sprinkle

Ingredients:

Baking soda
Essential oil

Add 10 drops of your favorite essential oil for every pound of baking soda. Allow to dry and sprinkle on rugs and fabrics.

Natural Room Freshener Spray

Ingredients:

Unscented witch hazel
Essential oil
Spray bottle

Fill one-third of a spray bottle with witch hazel and top with water. Add 10 drops of essential oil for every 2 ounces of liquid.

6. Make Future Green Cleanups a Snap

The natural room freshener spray above won’t kill germs like Lysol. However, your natural all-purpose cleanser made with vinegar and peroxide will.

Save your leftover cleaning liquid, placing it in a sealed container. Add some rags made from cut-up T-shirts you cleaned from your closet for an easy antibacterial “wipe” that you can wash and reuse.

Eco-Friendly Spring Cleaning Guide

Spring cleaning is here, and now you can make this chore greener and more sustainable. These green tips let you tackle chores in an eco-friendly way. Enjoy a sparkling, chemical-free home this season.