When spring is on its way, so comes the desire to de-clutter and re-organize. This spring, be green and save some green by focusing on reusing and recycling everyday items to get your household in order. Here are a few simple spring cleaning and gardening tips on how reusing and recycling everyday plastic household items can help clear the clutter, turn trash into treasure and save your hard-earned money.
Spring Cleaning Tip #1: Grow an Eco Herb Garden
Yogurt cups are the perfect size for growing seedlings you can later plant outside, or to grow herbs right on your kitchen windowsill. You’ll add color to your kitchen and save on buying herbs from the grocery store.
Spring Cleaning Tip #2: Put A Lid On It
Consider investing in a dozen same-sized containers for leftovers. You’ll never run out, and you’ll never have to struggle with mismatched lids. Even better they’ll stack neatly in the kitchen cabinet because they’re all the same size. (Get more tips on using recycled plastics in the garden.)
Spring Cleaning Tip #3: Milk It for All It’s Worth
If you’ve got a traditional high-flow toilet, fill a clean plastic jug with water and place it inside your toilet tank, to one side. This will take up space in the water tank, meaning you’ll use less water with each flush.
Spring Cleaning Tip #4: Message in a Bottle
Wash, label and reuse empty plastic spray bottles. Fill them with water to mist plants, or mix a solution of half vinegar and half water to clean dirty windows. Recycle any extra, unused spray bottles that are piling up in your cabinets.
Spring Cleaning Tip #5: Make Use of Old Tooth Brushes
Don’t throw out your old plastic toothbrushes, put them to work. Old toothbrushes are perfect for cleaning around faucets or the corners of sinks and bathtubs.
Spring Cleaning Tip #6: Be a Tidy Gardener
To keep clean and dry while you’re gardening, place used plastic bags underneath a towel to create a water-proof barrier as you kneel to weed beds and plant. When you’re finished, be sure to recycle used plastic bags at major grocery chains.
Spring Cleaning Tip #7: Recycle!
Spring is the perfect time to go through all of your cabinets to make sure you’re either recycling or repurposing any old plastic bottles and containers. Recyclable plastic bottles include:
- Milk jugs, beverage bottles (e.g., water, soft drinks, juice and beer);
- Bottles from shampoo;
- Toiletries;
- Laundry detergent and other household cleaners;
- Kitchen bottles from salad dressing , cooking oil and condiments; and
- Food jars, such as peanut butter and mayonnaise.
Spring Cleaning Tip #8: Reuse & Reduce
Do you have a stash of plastic grocery bags in your pantry or cabinets? Most of us do. You can recycle plastic grocery bags at your local major grocery store chain. Or, you can reuse them for things like:
- Suitcase savers—wrap shoes before packing them with clean clothes
- Hand protectors—place them over your hands to handle messes indoors and out
- Kitchen clean-up—place them under the cutting board for quick scrap removal
- Trash can liners—use them in bathrooms and other household waste baskets
- Doggie duty—bring them on dog walks to collect and dispose of pet waste
- Wet umbrella cover—keep other items in your bag dry when your umbrella is wet
