Moving to a new home is an exciting time, but it can also be stressful. Between packing up your belongings and adjusting to a new environment, cleaning your old place often gets overlooked. And while a thorough cleaning is important, it doesn’t have to be harsh on the environment. With a few simple tips and tricks, you can clean your house before moving in an effective and eco-friendly way.
Why Eco-Friendly Cleaning Matters
Traditional cleaning products are often packed with harsh chemicals that harm your health and the environment. These chemicals can pollute the air and water and irritate your skin and respiratory system. You can protect your health and the planet by choosing eco-friendly cleaning products.
Preparing for Your Eco-Clean
Before you start cleaning, there are a few things you can do to make the process more eco-friendly.
- Gather your supplies: You’ll likely already have many of the ingredients for natural cleaning solutions around the house. White vinegar, baking soda, borax, and castile soap are effective and eco-friendly cleaning agents.
- Make your cleaning solutions: Many recipes for DIY cleaning solutions are online. Using simple ingredients, you can easily whip up a batch of all-purpose cleaners, window cleaners, or even oven cleaners.
- Use microfiber cloths: Microfiber cloths are much more effective than paper towels and can be reused hundreds of times.
- Open windows for ventilation: This will help to circulate air and prevent you from breathing in any harmful chemicals.
Eco-Friendly Cleaning Checklist
Now you’re ready to start cleaning! Here’s a checklist to help you get started:
Kitchen
- Wipe down countertops and appliances with a vinegar and water solution.
- Clean the oven with a baking soda paste.
- Scrub the sink with baking soda and lemon juice.
- Defrost and clean the refrigerator.
- Clean out the pantry and donate expired food or items you won’t use.
Bathroom
- Clean the toilet, tub, and shower with baking soda and vinegar paste.
- Wipe down mirrors and countertops with a vinegar and water solution.
- Clean the grout with a paste made from baking soda and hydrogen peroxide.
- Wash towels and bath mats.
Bedrooms and Living Areas
- Dust furniture and surfaces with a microfiber cloth.
- Vacuum carpets and rugs.
- Wash windows and blinds.
- Clean out closets and donate any clothing or items you no longer need.
Floors
- Mop hard floors with a vinegar and water solution.
- Sweep or vacuum carpets and rugs.
- Consider renting a carpet cleaner, if necessary.
Final Tips for Green House Cleaning Before Moving Out
Try these final tips for greenhouse cleaning before moving out.
Wiping multiple surfaces
Microfiber cloths work great for cleaning nearly any hard surface. Other options include clean cotton rags and old clothing that have been washed and cut into smaller pieces. For cleaning the counters, stove top, door knobs, and anything else that needs to be disinfected, I like to use an all-purpose spray that you can make in your own kitchen. Mix together in a spray bottle: two tablespoons white vinegar, two cups warm water, one teaspoon Borax, one-half teaspoon of dishwashing soap, ten drops lavender, and five drops rosemary essential oil. Shake before using.
Washing the windows
Have the windows acquired a coat of dirt and grime over the past year–or years if you rarely wash them? You can even use green cleaning products to clean the windows in your home before you move. Clean both the outside and the inside with common household ingredients. See this article for recipes to make an indoor and an outdoor window washing solution.
Cleaning the floors
First, you need to determine your type of flooring and how dirty it is. For hard surfaces, I like to make a simple solution that works great for a quick swipe over a floor that isn’t very dirty. You may need something a little stronger for grimy floors. Make a no-rinse green floor cleaner by mixing ⅛ cup white distilled vinegar and seven to eight drops of lavender essential oil with a gallon of warm water. Clean with a rag or a mop- or even a Swiffer mop with replacement pads made of a rag or sock. Stretchy, fuzzy socks fit perfectly.
Deodorizing carpets
You may have used commercial carpet powders to help deodorize a smelly room. However, you can get fresh carpeting with something from your own kitchen–baking soda. You can even try mixing baking soda with borax. Simply sprinkle it over the carpet, let sit for a few minutes and vacuum it up.
Freshening the air
There are numerous ways you can freshen the air in your home before moving out–minus the harmful effects that come with commercial sprays. Try placing a few drops of vanilla or essential oil on a cotton ball and leave it out in the open, or slice a lemon to freshen the air. I have also made my own lavender spray by mixing 25 drops of lavender oil with a teaspoon of vodka or rubbing alcohol in a small spray bottle. Fill the bottle with warm water and shake well before each use.
By following these tips, you can clean your house before moving in an effective and eco-friendly way. You’ll leave your old place sparkling clean and feel good knowing that you’ve done your part to protect the environment.
Moving to a new home is a great opportunity to start fresh and make some positive changes for the environment. By choosing eco-friendly cleaning products and practices, you can show your commitment to sustainability and make a difference for the planet.
I hope this article helps you make your next move an eco-friendly one!
