Spring is finally upon us in Australia, and with spring comes spring cleaning (and waste unfortunately) But wondering how to clean sustainably? Well, you definitely can and it’s easier than you think. 

Australia generated approximately 76 million tonnes of waste in 2019-2020 – that’s insane! Before you start to declutter and clean your homes, please consider a second use for your items, and don’t add to this statistic. 

A cluttered environment is associated with increased levels of stress and anxiety, and a clean and organised environment contributes to reduced stress and improved mental health. To kickstart your sustainable spring cleaning I’ve created a free checklist just for you, happy sustainable spring cleaning!

Here’s my top tips to sustainable spring cleaning in 2024

use reusable cleaning tools

Choose reusable cleaning cloths, mop heads and compostable sponges over the disposable ones. You can wash and reuse them, lowering your waste! Bonus points if your products don’t contain any plastic.

repair instead of replace

If this spring cleaning reveals any damaged items, try repairing them instead of discarding them. This extends the life of your possessions. If you decide that once you’ve repaired it you definitely no longer want it, free to donate it.

minimise single use cleaning products 

Avoid (where possible) using a single use cleaning pads, generic paper towels and wipes, instead use washable reusable alternatives. But if they are single use opt for compostable alternatives, make sure it’s certified compostable though.

opt for eco-friendly trash bags

Use compostable trash bags instead of conventional plastic ones. This will help reduce the environmental impact of your waste. You’ll want to find trash bags that are either home compostable certified or commercially compostable certified. It’s super important the bags are certified, since there’s unfortunately a lot of greenwashing amongst trash bag products, and you may accidentally buy some trash bags that are derived from plastic. 

donate instead of throwing away

Before you discard all your “trash” in the bin (Nooo!!) think if you or someone else could repurpose it, like your old toothbrush – it’s perfect for cleaning your sinks’ waste and get it sparkling and new again. Old socks can be turned into dusters.

be mindful of your water use

With cleaning comes water usage. See if you could capture your washing machines discarded water before it goes down the drain and use it for cleaning or your plants. Be sure that you’re using an eco-friendly laundry powder/liquid before using it on your plants. 

ventilate your home with natural air

You can finally open up your windows and let in the fresh air! This is a great natural and free way to ventilate your home and get rid of any lingering winter smells.

use natural air purifiers 

Plants are a great natural purifier, cost effective too (compared to an air purifier unit). You can match the plant to your space and add some greenery to your home!

buy in bulk

Some bulk stores offer their own cleaning products in bulk containers, all you need to do is bring our own containers, preferably glass. How cool is that! You can keep coming back when you need to refill and it’s basically zero waste. (Just besides the fuel used to get to the store, but I’m not keeping track)

Use natural ingredients to get rid of mould

Did you know if you mix equal parts water and vinegar in a reusable spray bottle, you’ve made your very own mould extermination spray! It’s a low-tox way to remove mould, and yes it actually does work. Simply spray the effected surface (just double check the surface is vinegar safe) leave for a few minutes and wipe. In this situation, I’d use a single use compostable paper towel and dispose of it in its own compostable trash bag, just to be safe – don’t want any more mould spreading. But it doesn’t work, I’d recommend getting an expert in as any mould is not good for you or your health.