Eco-friendly practices to prep your home and garden for spring and summer
Depending on which part of the world you live in, you're either basking in spring's sunshine or desperately awaiting the onset of warmer weather. Hopefully, you're in the former, not the latter.
Whenever it hits your neck of the woods, springtime usually gives us the inclination to tackle a few cleaning projects. With the proper products and tools and some time cleared from your busy schedule, you can get your home and garden in great shape using nothing but eco-friendly practices.
Windows
The long winter leaves a dirty film over windows, inside and out. For an environmentally safe cleaning solution, mix a quarter-cup vinegar with 1 quart water in a spray bottle. To save trees, money and landfill waste, use crumpled newspaper or repurposed old clothing to clean your the glass.
To clean mold off window frames, use this solution: 2 parts vinegar, 1 part baking soda and 4 parts water; apply with a sponge and scrub clean. For the window sliding areas, mix equal parts lemon juice and olive oil, apply a small amount to a cloth, and rub into the area in light, even strokes.
Patios and Decks
It doesn't get much better than kicking back with friends and family on a backyard deck or patio on a mild summer evening. To get ready, try these tips:
Clean patio furniture with this eco-friendly and inexpensive cleaning solution: 2 cups white vinegar per gallon of water.
Your wood deck probably needs to be stained or painted every five years, depending on your local weather conditions. Use paints that meet these three requirements: low volatile organic compounds (VOCs), low biocides and natural pigments. Also, choose paint that has zinc oxide as the fungicide.
When choosing a stain, use water-based stains and sealants without biocides.
Add some green personality to your deck or patio by adding potted plants or low-priced perennials. These are available at most home improvement stores or your local farmers market.
Lawn
There are a number of ways you can use your lawn and garden to help save the environment. To get your lawn ready, InvoGreen.com suggests you “scalp” your yard. Scalping is essentially a crew cut for your lawn, in which you lower your lawn mower's cutting height to give grass an extra-close cut. This helps rid the dead grass and promotes new growth. After this initial cut, fertilize with green manure. It's a great way to add organic nutrients to the soil.
If new grass is needed, then check the soil with a pH-level test. DIY kits are available your local nursery or home and garden outlet. This helps you determine which grass seed to plant in your location and what compounds you should add to grow healthy grass. Do a little online research to learn how your lawn's available sunlight impacts what type of grass to plant. If you have more shade than sunlight, pick a grass that does well in the shade.
It may be time to let go of that old lawn mower, as well. In 2007, the Environmental Protection Agency announced that lawn mowers contribute 5 percent of the nation's greenhouse gas emissions. If you're still using an old mower that's spitting harmful gases into the environment, it's time to upgrade to a newer model, such as Husqvarna lawn mowers. These machines spew fewer emissions, and the benefit to the earth and the increased safety and performance are well worth the added expense.
A/C Systems
Make sure to get your air conditioning unit ready for the summer heat, especially if you live the hot and dry Southwest.
Rake all the leaves away from your unit and clean out the winter "gunk." Schedule your annual inspection or do it yourself.
Check your indoor filters to see if they need replacing. Nothing messes up an air conditioner more than a filthy, gooey filter.
Inspect and clean your vents. Use a soft, damp cloth and your vinegar solution to wipe the area, so you don't blow a bunch of dirt and dust out of the vent.
If you don’t have air conditioning, then check your fans, blow the dust out of the motor area and clean the rotors (again, use your vinegar solution). Check the cords for any frayed areas and replace the fan if necessary.
Closets and Storage Places
No spring cleaning is complete without a thorough closet inspection. Donate any unwanted items to charity, so they can get a second life, and add any torn or stained items to your rag collection.