Mommy Goes Green

It’s hard to believe but on March 20, when the clock struck midnight, spring officially began in the Northern Hemisphere.

I don’t know about you but when spring arrives and the sun comes out – I want to open the windows, get some fresh air and clean like crazy. 

If you weren’t reading Mommy Goes Green last year, now is a great time to get caught up on the 8 week series we did on spring cleaning.  Click on the link for the week and you can find detailed information on cleaning the eco-friendly and non-toxic way. 

WEEK 1 – Green your cleaning products. 

WEEK 2 – Clean the oven, refrigerator, and dishwasher. 

WEEK 3 – Dust EVERYTHING. 

WEEK 4 – Clean your window treatments. 

WEEK 5 – Wash all your windows, inside and out.

WEEK 6 – Touch up scratched walls or old nail holes with non toxic, zero VOC paint. 

WEEK 7 – Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. 

WEEK 8 – Replace the air filter in your home.

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TGIW8. Week 8, the last week of spring cleaning.  If you followed ANY of the last 7 weeks of green spring cleaning ( view the entire guide ), the air in your home should be cleaner.  Now that it’s clean, one last step to help maintain that.

Replace the air filter in your home.  If your home was built in the last 10-15 years, you likely have an air system that requires air filter replacement every 3-6 months ( check the system’s paperwork or call your local HVAC company for questions ). You can pick up replacement filters at your local home improvement store and look for reusable filters – they are slightly more expensive than the disposable ones but it will pay off quickly. It’s fairly quick and easy to change it out ( I am able to do this myself with our unit ). This will improve the air in your home and save you energy as your system doesn’t have to work as hard to move air in your house.

I hope you’ve discovered some great ways to green your cleaning routine.  Personally, I realized that in the rooms where we have hardwood floors, the dust doesn’t accumulate as quickly but I if I vacuum at least once a week, I have to dust less ( anything to dust less! ).   I also loved using vinegar to clean out my dishwasher – it was so easy and makes me feel like my dishes are one step cleaner.

What was your favorite Green Spring Cleaning tip?

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In week 6, we cleaned up our walls with a safe paint – anyone find one they REALLY like?  Keep that paint on hand because guaranteed you’ll have some little handprints somewhere soon!

As we go into the 7th week of Spring Cleaning, you can breathe a sigh of relief as it’s our EASY week – but probably one of the most important weeks of Spring Cleaning.

Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors – test them all, everyone one of them.  That is hoping you do have more than one.  One per room, right?  If not, get thyself down to the home improvement store and pick several up. 

Also – most homes do not come installed with carbon monoxide detector so if you have not added one yourself, it doesn’t exist!  Go pick up one of those, too. They are $20-30.  Carbon monoxide is produced by common household appliances. When not properly ventilated, carbon monoxide emitted by these appliances can build up.  Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause death and unfortunately you likely won’t know that it’s even happening – you can’t smell, taste, or see the gas. 

If you want to jump ahead to week 8 ( the LAST WEEK!! ), check out the entire MGG Guide to Green Spring Cleaning. You can also print a copy to keep it on hand for each week’s task.

This post may contain affiliate links, please see my disclosure policy.