How Not Knowing Sustainable Spring Cleaning Makes You a Rookie
Does spring cleaning at your house mean you take everything out of your house that annoys you and pile it at your curb for the dump? No! Don't do it! That's the old way and we're evolving now. Come to the green side. It's not so bad. It gets easier and easier the more you know. We bring you knowledge this month on how to spring clean and prepare for summer the green way.
What To Do With All That Stuff???
First of all, it's very important to understand the importance of reduction. Less is more. We are a ridiculously disposable society and we don't need half (or more than half) of the "stuff" we think we need. All that stuff has to go somewhere eventually. If you don't need it and don't love it, don't buy it.
So, you've got your pile of all the things you don't need and don't love from your home and garage. Where can you put it that's green? Think repurpose, reuse, then recycle. Can you use it for something other than it's intended purpose? Would you like to sell it? Nine times out of ten, someone will repurpose it if you get the word out. There are junk removal companies that will repurpose what they can. Someone will always come for "free stuff". Hey, at least it's getting used for something!
Fresh and clean, and still non-toxic!
I'm not an expert in this area, but I can tell you that my house is fresh and clean and the only products I use are vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, and essential oils, a scouring pad, steel wool, brushes and a pumice stone. I've been doing it this way for years, and I have no complaints.
Greener Lawn Care
The key here is health of the Earth. If we are to change our ways, we need to re-think our "lawns". The typical American lawn is neat, tidy and weed-free. A nature preserve is "messy". A permaculture perspective is somewhere in the middle. Permaculture suggests we create outdoor spaces that sustain themselves, feed the animals and ourselves at the same time. We learn to create a "permanent culture". This is a big transition, more challenging for some than for others. Think baby steps. So long as we're moving toward the goal, that's a good thing. How do you start? Start from where you are! And stay tuned for more information throughout the month.
Composting
Would you like to take the dive into composting this year? Maybe you've started and you'd like to learn more. Composting can be as meticulous as measuring temperatures and microbes. Or, we've got an article on the way called "Easy Ass Composting". It doesn't need to be difficult. We're talking about allowing plant material, from the yard and from the kitchen, to regenerate the soil in our yards and public spaces. This saves 40% of waste from going to the dump and regenerating our soil is one of the most important things we can do to help the earth.
Stay tuned for lots more information in the coming month. If you know more than us, please share! Let's learn together!
