Put Some Eco in your Spring Cleaning

It is that time of year again to begin your spring cleaning.  People across the country are breaking out the cleaning supplies and lawn equipment to give their homes and yard a fresh clean look.  Try something different this year and put some eco into your cleaning routine.

Flickr, The Healthy Shoppers

For those living green, replacing conventional cleaning supplies with eco-friendly products is a quick hit. Conventional cleaning supplies may contain ingredients that are toxic or hazardous. By replacing them with eco-friendly products, you’re providing improved indoor air quality.

There’s an abundance of alternative products from which to choose. Following is a list of favorites but with so many great eco friendly products on the market, make sure to explore and discover your own as well.

•    Seventh Generation is an industry leader renowned for its nontoxic cleaning products.

•    Mrs. Meyers also offers nontoxic cleaners and all of the company’s cleaning supplies are biodegradable and incorporate natural essential oils to provide a pleasant cleaning experience.

•    Ecover makes its biodegradable, nontoxic cleaners from plant based ingredients and is powered by green energy in the making of its products.

In addition, apply that environmentally friendly attitude outside the house to your yard work.  Traditional fertilizers and mulch often contain chemicals that are not only bad for the environment but can be hazardous to your health.  With the variety of eco-friendly products available, you no longer have to sacrifice quality and price to have a great looking organic yard.

Here is a list of alternative products offered at your local Home Depot or Lowes.

•    Cockadoodle Doo is the perfect fertilizer for people who have kids and pets.

•    Ringer Lawn Restore is a slow release organic fertilizer that provides the essential nutrients that produce thick, green lawns and deep, vigorous root systems.

•    Lady Bug creates a chemical free environment, which results in healthier plants, more wildlife, and reduced pollution of local waterways.

By making the switch to more sustainable products, you will not only be reducing the hazardous products in your home but also contributing to the reduction of the 5 billion pounds of chemicals consumed by cleaning industry each year.

Julie Urlaub

Julie Urlaub is Founder & Managing Partner of Taiga Company, a sustainability consulting firm located in Houston, Texas dedicated to accelerating the integration of sustainability concepts in business. Today, Julie speaks, writes, and advises clients on a variety of issues related to the intersection between environmental stewardship, and sustainable business practices. Her writing has been featured in SocialYell’s Corporate Advice, the GreenEcomonyPost, the Business Exchange and, the ThinkGreenAlliance. Connect with Taiga Company on Facebook and Twitter. Also Find Julie on LinkedIn.