7 Green Tips for Your Cleaning Routine

Amidst the pandemic that the whole world is facing, the need to keep one’s home clean has reached top priority, even for busy people. However, how can you keep your house squeaky clean while going green?

Cleaning your house, regardless of its size and type, is a never-ending process. But due to time and budget constraints, ensuring your place’s upkeep can be overwhelming. Fortunately, there are ways of doing cleaning responsibilities without denting your wallet. All the more, this article will present sustainable cleaning activities that will surely benefit you and the environment. 

Let us start!

Come Up With a Green Source

Did you know that most cleaning materials contain harmful chemicals that can affect you, your family, and the surroundings? Good thing, an increasing number of businesses have come up with several non-toxic variants of go-to cleaners. This somehow simplifies the shift from conventional to green products.

How to know if the cleaning supply is green? You can check if the label has EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) or Green Seal Stamp. Still, you should be wary if you see generic assertions like “environmentally friendly” or “eco-safe” because not all products having these labels are true to their claims.

To be sure, avoid cleaning products containing dangerous ingredients, such as phosphates, phthalates, chlorine, ammonia, glycol ethers, and ethanolamines.

Reduce

To donate or not to donate? Let’s face it, not all items we want to declutter have a resale value. This is why some turn to donate their items instead of directly selling them. However, you can try handing your items to a thrift store or even consignment stores if you have high-quality accessories or clothing to donate. Doing this allows you to remove unwanted objects and, at the same time, earn money.

Reuse

Most people know the 3 Rs of waste management –reduce, reuse, recycle. Yet, many of us go directly to the third R. So, before jumping ahead, let us consider the second R. 

Reusing means the repeated use of an item or finding a new purpose for that item without treatment. For example, your old drinking glasses in bulk hidden at the corner of your kitchen cabinet can be reused as office supply holders, succulent planters, flower vases, or catch-all bowls. Another, you can reuse your old makeup brushes for crafts, paintings, or dusting electronics with tiny parts.

What’s excellent about repurposing is that instead of tossing your old stuff into the trash, you can still salvage it and have a better use. 

Recycle

As you continue your cleaning routine, look around your home and office to see how you can set up things for easy recycling. For instance, is there a place in the bathroom or anywhere around the house where you can place recyclables, such as paper, paper rolls, and plastic containers and bottles? Putting a designated container for your recyclables is a reminder of your green cause. In addition, this will make you eager to recycle disposable things as much as possible.

Use Plants to Get Rid of Pests

Don’t you hate it when small animals and insects are pestering the peace of your home? Luckily, there is an alternative way of getting rid of pests apart from using harmful chemical sprays. A strategic placing of plants around the house can help you get rid of them. This is because just like us, there are scents insects and animals cannot stand.

As proof, you can install a few mint herb pots in places where you have a mice problem. This is because mice don’t like spearmint or peppermint. On the other hand, spiders don’t like citronella, so you can add a few drops of citronella oil to any essential oil burners and place them near where you have an issue.

Have a Minimalism Attitude

Moving forward, try to embrace the concept of minimalism. Buy only the things you need to prevent producing clutter. Why don’t you consider making a wish list? Like when you find something you want to buy on an impulse, simply add it to the list. Then, if some time passes, say about 30 days, and you still like it, allow yourself to purchase it.

Share the Good Practice

Last but the most important tip is to share your cleaning routine success with the people around you. The more people involved in sustainable cleaning, the better. Here are a few ideas to start:

  • Remember, sharing is caring, so get your family and friends involved. Also, you can swap reusable and recyclable resources with them.
  • You can start organizing stuff swaps in your neighborhood to help rehoming items that were decluttered.
  • Set up an annual sustainable spring cleaning challenge in your community.

Conclusion

While staying safe in the comfort of your home, you can learn how to deep clean your indoor space sustainably. Keep in mind that careful planning on the things you need to do and use when cleaning is crucial. This is to ensure that you do not harm your health or the environment in the process.

Did you find the tips helpful? Do you have others to add? Let us know! Leave a comment in the box below. We wish you a stroke of good luck in your sustainable cleaning endeavors!

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7 Awesome And Inexpensive Green Things You Should Try In Singapore

In Psychology, the color green signifies harmony, balance, and growth. It has been the fixed color of important objects such as money and the Earth itself. In fact, the green lifestyle has been encouraged all over the world but, one of the longest running eco-friendly campaigns is found in our country. The Clean & Green Singapore launched the Clean and Green Week campaign in 1990 and since then, Singaporeans were inspired to protect the environment.

That said, here are the top 7 green things every Singaporean must try:

FOOD

1. VIETNAMESE FOOD

Serving meals that are mostly low in fat, gluten-free, MSG-free, and rich in vitamins and minerals…Vietnamese food proved to be a healthy cuisine above the rest. In the heart of the city center, you will find a store called Wrap & Roll. The first to serve freshly made steamed rice paper rolls; Wrap & Roll offers casual yet genuine Vietnamese dining experience. They serve morning tea to start your relaxing day. You shall expect tasty dishes at the affordable price range of S$7-20. Call 6694 4111 for reservations and enquiries.

Image Credits:  facebook.com/wrap.roll.sg

Image Credits: facebook.com/wrap.roll.sg

2. PICKLED GREEN CHILI

How do I begin to tell you how much chilies are adorned here? Let me start by saying that it complements most of the flavors of Singaporean and Malaysian noodles very well especially with Wanton noodles. You can make your own pickled green chilies by following the simple steps here.

3. ORGANIC GROCERY SHOPPING

Looking for an organic grocery that is within your budget? Look no further as local groceries such as Green Circle Eco Farm and Quan Fa Organic Farm have you covered.

A place with luscious greenery and farm animals, Green Circle Eco Farm not only welcomes educational tours for the public and schools but it also sells food without artificial chemicals and pesticides. These produce are mostly locally grown. There is a minimum amount of S$30 for home deliveries of products listed on their vegetables, fruit, herbs, and condiments tabs. Delivery fee of S$5 is one of the lowest delivery service among other organic groceries in Singapore. Visit Green Circle Eco Farm at 41 Neo Tiew Road Singapore 719028 or at greencircle.com.sg.

While, Quan Fa Organic Farm abstains from the use of pesticides and harmful fertilizers. They offer about 40 varieties of hard vegetables, herbs, leafy greens, and fruits that are from our local roots. Aside from Asian produce, they also sell imported organic produce from Malaysia, Australia, and Thailand. Their products are at available at Sheng Siong outlets. Visit Quan Fa Organic Farm at 35 Murai Farmway Singapore 709145 or at quanfaorganic.com.sg.

DECORATIONS

4. POT OF GREENS

Instead of purchasing the S$299 branded air purifier, go natural and grow your own succulents. Plants are more than just decorations as it can improve the air quality in your home by absorbing dangerous toxins. Go for the inexpensive and easy to maintain plants such as ferns, green spider plants, English Ivy and dracaenas. If you do not have a backyard or an apartment balcony there are community gardens for you to plant your own seed. My personal picks for affordable plants are from Far East Flora and Chye Heng Orchid Garden.

5. GREEN ORGANIZER

GLES box from IKEA Singapore is the perfect organizer for your food, gardening tools, sports equipments, school books, laundry, and other accessories. We have one at home and it has been useful for over 4 years. What is shocking is that it is priced at S$1.90 a piece.

ATTRACTIONS

6. SINGAPORE BOTANIC GARDENS

Whether you are on a date with a special someone or yourself, nothing beats a refreshing day at the Singapore Botanic Gardens (SBG). Sandwiched between the busy vicinities of Bukit Timah Road and Holland Road, the SBG is opened from 5 am all year round. Feel the chirping of the birds, the sound of the crickets, and the hush of the trees as you enter the garden – for free!

7. FIVE GARDENS AT CHANGI AIRPORT

Aside from the SBG, every “Type A” individuals on the go can relax at the five indoor gardens located at the Changi Airport. These are namely: Cactus Garden (T1), Orchid Garden (T2), Fern Garden (T2), Sunflower Garden (T2), and the Butterfly Gardens (T3). While you are in there, enjoy the breath of fresh air, may your kids count the species of succulents and take colorful selfies that you can upload right away because of the Free WiFi!

Image Credits:  facebook.com/fansofchangi?fref=photo

Image Credits: facebook.com/fansofchangi?fref=photo

For a cleaner world, let us push through a greener Singapore! 🙂

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