Have a green spring clean

With the long cold winter almost behind us, a spring clean can be a great way to freshen up our homes after hibernation. Even the messiest among us get the urge for spring cleaning but whether you`re planning a full-scale cleaning frenzy or simply a bit of de-cluttering for your home, there are lots of ways that you can save money and help the environment by `greening` your spring clean.

If your first task is to roll up your sleeves for some mopping, scrubbing and polishing, why not consider using some natural alternatives to expensive chemical-laden cleaning products? Cheap household staples such as white vinegar, lemon juice and baking soda can be used for a wide range of cleaning tasks and are not harmful to the environment when you wash them down the sink.

A weak solution of white vinegar with water in a spray bottle is ideal for cleaning worktops, windows and mirrors (use newspaper to buff these to a smear-free shine) and is gentle but effective for cleaning wooden floors. Baking soda is mildly abrasive and can be sprinkled on worktops and sinks, then scrubbed with a damp cloth or sponge to shift dirt. You can clean your oven by coating the inside with a thick paste of baking soda and water and leaving overnight before washing it all off with water the next morning. Baking soda`s deodorising properties make it ideal for cleaning fridges, just dissolve a couple of teaspoons in some hot water and wipe round with a cloth.

Once you move on to vacuuming, remember to vacuum the coils on the back or bottom of your fridge to help it to run more efficiently. Make the most of a bright sunny day by hanging out rugs, blankets and duvets to air in the sun. The ultraviolet radiation emitted by the sun kills many germs and bacteria.

If you`re de-cluttering your home, remember that your unwanted items might find a new home elsewhere. Clothes, bed linen and other textiles can be donated to charity shops or put in textile collection banks at recycling centres. You can still donate worn out items that can`t be used again as these are sent to be recycled, which raises vital funds for charities.

Consider swapping unwanted toys, small electrical items, books, CDs and DVDs with friends and family or else offer them free to a good home on a website such as Freecycle or Freegle. Many charity shops will also welcome donations of these items but check first for toys and electrical items.

Large items of unwanted furniture or household appliances in good working order are gratefully received by local organisations like Age UK and Impact Furniture Services. Any broken electrical items, large or small should be taken to your nearest Household Waste Recycling Centre, where they will be sent for recycling.

If all this has got you feeling inspired to have a green spring clean, visit our dedicated seasonal spring page for lots more tips and ideas.