Make Greener Cleaning Part of Your New Year Goals!!
The new year is the perfect time to step back for a minute and consider important changes to make in your life, your habits, and your routines.
I have spent a considerable amount of time these past few weeks thinking about what I want to do differently in 2020.
And green cleaning is the top of the list.
(Followed by read more books, and carefully consider my responses and reactions as a mom – because teenagers!)
When it comes to taking steps towards a greener home, it couldn’t be easier with Art of Green®.
Art of Green is the perfect natural, green cleaner that will help you make a smooth transition to green cleaning in 2020.
Before we get to your new kitchen and bathroom cleaning routines checklist, I wanted to share these 7 Ways to Go Green in 2020.
But I don’t want you to just read these and think – oh yeah, I really need to do that.
I want you to digest these, make these a priority, and make a change that is permanent – in both the products you use (Art of Green!!) and the routines you create for yourself.
7 Ways to Go Green in 2020
#1 – Think and start small.
Take notice of the cleaning products you use every day and consider which products you could switch out, and use fewer that would make the most impact. Generally, multi-purpose cleaners, hand soaps and detergents are the most frequently used.
Art of Green’s line of affordable cleaning products are at least 98% naturally derived with no harsh chemicals, made from a formula free of parabens, phthalates, artificial color or phosphates.
It’s the multi-purpose cleaner you didn’t know you needed.
#2 Reduce waste.
Watch how much you toss out on a daily basis – disposable cleaning cloths, water bottles, containers/bottles.
Consider switching to only reusable grocery bags, dish cloths and water bottles.
Switch to using cleaning concentrates to refill bottles, and reduce the number of bottles and large containers that end up in the recycle.
Art of Green’s concentrate comes in two scents and can refill a spray bottle several times.
Less waste, more great cleaners.
Not only should you switch to reusable water bottles and concentrate refills, you need to use fewer paper towels and napkins and switch to responsibly sourced dish cloths. (That’s my stack pictured above!)
(About those scents, I have had the privilege of introducing Art of Green to local TV anchors and producers over the past few months, and every-single-time the immediate comment is about the lovely scents. Their next comment is about how well it cleans – I’ve cleaned up some NASTY things on live TV, my friend! In part to show you how amazing these products are, and to show you that you’re not alone in your mess and your dirty home.)
#3 Minimize your cleaning products.
There is no need to buy various cleaners made specifically for the bathroom, floors and counters.
Multi-purpose cleaners like Art of Green can do the trick on many surfaces, taking harsh chemicals out of the equation.
I love that I can use Art of Green all over the house, and that I don’t have to switch bottles as I go from room to room.
#4 A calendar reminder for the throne.
No one wants to clean the toilet. It’s that “meh” task, but it needs to be done – at least weekly. The inside, top, base, and floor need a quick TLC every week.
But here’s the thing – the “oh, I need to clean the toilet” is a task that you dread hearing in your mind over and over throughout the week.
Kinda like the what’s for dinner question – it nags.
(So sorry to put dinner and toilet cleaning in the concept!)
But hear me out…
When you make cleaning the toilet a task that happens at the same time every week, and you put a reminder on your calendar or an alarm on your phone…and you quickly clean it before you think yourself out of the task. It’s done. Just like that.
You don’t think about it throughout the week, or after it’s too late and you really start dreading it.
Make it a part of your weekly routine, throw up a reminder to yourself, and it’s as good as done.
You can give the bathroom and toilet area a lovely fresh scenty makeover with Art of Green spray or wipes, every Friday at 4 pm…or whenever best suits your schedule.
#5 Choose products sold in recycled containers.
Art of Green multi-purpose spray and refills are make from 100% post-consumer recycled material.
Re-re-re-re-cycle!!!!
Again, RECYCLE!!
#6 Avoid the mess to begin with!
We have two shoe baskets in our home.
One for school shoes, and the other for tennis/sports shoes.
This has been a game changer in our home, and has helped keep monster messes from happening throughout my house.
Taking your shoes off before you come into a home is tradition for some. For me, it’s about reducing the dirt and grime that gets tracked throughout the house.
Another thing we do to reduce the mess is brush Cody (the precious pup!) regularly. The boys actually fight over it!
One last thing about dusty messes…a few years back, I switched out our air filters to the allergy-proof kind for my son. He has a severe dust mite allergy, and receives treatment for it still today. We made many updates and accommodations in our home to help alleviate his symptoms. One of those was switching air filters – and I did so somewhat reluctantly because of the additional cost and because we would need to change them out on the first of each month. But, I made the switch. His health started to improve. And…
I noticed a significant reduction in dust around the house. Because it was being better trapped in the filters. *high five*
If you have a few dollars in your budget to switch to the higher level air filters, I say go for it!!
#7 Save water.
Finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t touch on water. Because we use it throughout each and every day.
Shorten your showers. I know, I know – a warm shower on a cold winter day is so cozy. But keep it short. Set a timer if you need to!
Also, don’t stream water in the sink the entire time you do the dishes.
Use a large bowl with warm water for rinsing and dipping before adding to dishwasher. Run the stream over the bowl only.
Only run the dishwasher when it’s full, on the energy efficient cycle.
Same goes for when you’re brushing your teeth – don’t stream the water. And teach the kids too.
With water – just like with your food dollars – every second and every penny counts.
Green Cleaning Routines & Recap
Intentional – Priority.
I want you to think about those two words, as they relate to green cleaning. Here are 3 things you can do:
- Be intentional about your green cleaning product choices – pick up Art of Green at your local HEB!
- Make these micro changes and habits to better prioritize how you go green in your daily cleaning routines.
- Download and print the Green Cleaning Routines and checklists below!
To help you accomplish your green cleaning goals and cleaning routines, we have a simple checklist that will help you find a new groove and a new green clean in your home.
Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Art of Green. Opinions and experience are my own.
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