Declutter: Spring is a great time to take inventory of your belongings and decide what you want to keep, donate, and recycle. Try to only keep things you actually use or items that have sentimental value. For items that are in good condition but you no longer use, you can donate to friends, family, or a non-profit organization. Also, many items you have around your house can be recycled. Just be sure to drop them in the right recycling bins or bring them to a recycling center. Decluttering your home is an excellent way to find items to donate and recycle. 

Clean Cleaning Products: Cleaning products that are not labeled as natural or have not been certified by a third party as “Green” can contain toxic chemicals. Look for all-natural cleaners the next time you need to stock up. It is a great way to keep toxic chemicals out of your home and invest in biodegradable cleaners. Check out the labels of the cleaners in your local store the next time you run low for more environmentally friendly options. 

Vinegar for Cleaning: Instead of buying multi-purpose cleaners in the store, give a vinegar solution a try. It is cheaper and better for the environment. You can use it with newspaper to clean your windows and mirrors, use it in the dishwasher, and even mix it with water to clean your floors. Try vinegar for cleaning before running out to the store and buying a multi-purpose cleaner. 

Ditch Paper Towels: Paper towels create a lot of waste since they are single use. Instead of using paper towels for your routine cleaning, invest in reusable cleaning towels. You can even cut up old towels or t-shirts to make cleaning rags to the size that you want. If you still want to keep some paper towels on hand, look for recycled ones and use them sparingly. 

Use the Dishwasher: It may come as a surprise that running your dishwasher when it is full conserves more water than washing dishes by hand. Not only is using your dishwasher a timesaver and more convenient, but it can also help you reduce water consumption. That is a win-win for you and the environment. 

Full Loads of Laundry: When doing laundry, try to only start up the washer when you have a full load. This will maximize the efficiency of it and the water used. Plus, if you wash your laundry in cold water you will also consume less energy. Maximize the energy efficiency of your washer by only running it when you have enough for a full load and wash with cold water. 

Energy Upgrades: There are several ways you can lower your energy usage in your home. You can start by switching out your incandescent light bulbs for CFLs or LEDS. Doing this will lower your energy consumption and reduce how often you need to replace your light bulbs. You can also install a smart thermostat in your home. Smart thermostats are programmable, and many of them allow you to change the temperature of your home from an app on your phone. It is a great way to keep your cooling and heating costs down by being able to monitor it from anywhere you are and programing it for when you want to increase and decrease the temperature of your home. Lastly, using shades on your windows can help with heating and cooling costs. In the winter you can keep them open to bring in the sunshine and, in the summer, close them to lessen the amount that the sun is heating your home. Small changes can make a big difference in your energy bills. 

Use Commercial Car Washes: Did you know that commercial car washes use less water to clean your car than you would at home? On average, people use 80-140 gallons of water at home to wash their car, when a commercial car wash uses an average of 45 gallons of water. Plus, commercial car washes often reuse the runoff and/or send it to treatment centers. While you may not want to always go to a commercial car wash, it is a good idea to add it into your car washing rotation. 

Garden: If you are looking for a way to make sure that your fruits, vegetables, and herbs are organic, you should consider planting a garden. It is a great way to get fresh produce, get outside, and literally enjoy the fruits of your labor. You can also plant flowers to brighten up your yard and have fresh arrangements to bring into your home. Another great gardening tip is to plant native plants to the area that you live, as they will require less maintenance. Start a garden, big or small, this year to enjoy fresh produce. 

Compost: Composting is a great way to get rid of table scraps, yard clippings, leaves, and more in an eco-friendly way. You can build a compost bin for your yard or purchase one. You can even purchase a sleek composter for your kitchen that you fill up before you bring it to the composting bin in your yard. Composting is a fantastic way to get enriched soil and reduce food waste in landfills. 

Get Outside: If you are able to, make it a goal to get outside more this year. Go for a walk, hike, bike, get out on the water, or find another activity that you enjoy in the great outdoors. The more you get outside and enjoy the natural beauty, the more you will appreciate it. Also, as the weather gets warmer, consider walking or biking to places that are a doable distance away. Just remember to turn off the lights when you leave home and unplug any small appliances that are not in use.