Green Cleaning Tips for Your Oakland Apartment

The days are getting longer, the air is getting warmer, and the grass is getting greener. That must mean it is time to spring clean your Oakland apartment.

These easy Go Green tips will help keep both the environment and your apartment clean!

Reduce Your Water Consumption

Water is one of the earth’s most precious natural resources, but we often take it for granted; taking long showers, leaving the water running while we do the dishes, wash your face or brush our teeth. According to the EPA, bathroom faucets run at about 2 gallons of water a minute. By turning off the tap while you brush your teeth and shave, you can save hundreds of gallons a month.

Showering accounts for almost 17% of our indoor water use. You can save water by replacing your regular showerhead with a low flow showerhead. Consider shortening your showering time to further help reduce water consumption.

Place a bowl under your colander while cleaning vegetables and use it to water plants in your home or patio.

Down the Drain

Many of our household cleaners include products that while they help you 

clean, can make it into our water system and are having an increasingly alarming effect on 

aquatic plant and fish life. Before you pick up those scrubbing bubbles and toilet or shower cleaner, 

why not consider looking in your pantry for some staples that will help keep your Oakland apartment 

and the environment is clean!

Mirror and Surface Cleaner

You can keep your mirrors, windows, faucets and surfaces clean by combining ½ teaspoon of liquid dish soap, ¼ cup of white vinegar and 2 cups of water. Pour the mixture in a spray bottle for a great alternative to toxic cleaners that also helps reduce waste by reusing the spray bottle.

All-Purpose Cleaner

Many all-purpose cleaners contain harmful ingredients that will make it into our water system and our air. Instead try this DIY aromatic all-purpose cleaner.

Combine one-part white vinegar, one-part water, lemon rind and rosemary sprigs and let infuse for a week before using. Once it is done you can add to a spray bottle and use to clean counters, trash cans, toilets and everyday smudges.

These clean, eco-friendly cleaning products can go a long way to reduce pollution and keep your Orion apartment in Oakland clean and green!

 

Get a New Start by Spring Cleaning

Spring Cleaning, Cleaning Games for Kids, Green Cleaning, Cleaning Hacks, DIY Cleaning Products

Springtime is here! That means the flowers are in bloom, the weather is warming, and the natural world begins its rejuvenation. If your apartment here at Orion could use a similar refresh, spring cleaning is in order. Tidying up for the season clears away built-up clutter from earlier in the year, making space both in physical as well as mental spaces. Here are some tips on how to make your spring cleaning session productive and fun!

 

Set Up Cleaning Games for Kids

 

Living with little ones, while incredibly rewarding, can lead to challenging messes to tackle. You can get your children on board with doing their part with cleaning games for kids! By adding an element of fun to the cleaning process, kids develop a healthier mindset around tidying up down the line. Plus, parents who get involved have a chance to get back in touch with their inner child!

 

Get Crafty With DIY Cleaners

 

The overall message of springtime is to shake off the old to make way for the new. This mantra can apply to the cleaning products you use too! Chances are, keeping up with your current cleaning product arsenal is cutting into your household budget. Not only do most DIY cleaners cost pennies on the dollar to create, but it’s fun to experiment with making cleaning products with common cleaning supplies you might already have laying around. For example, this citrus-scented all-purpose spray uses just five ingredients and is perfect for beginners to make.

 

Easy Green Cleaning Hacks

 

The best part about using homemade products is that, more often than not, they’re a lot more eco-friendly than their store-bought counterparts. Name brand household cleaners can contain harsh chemicals and give off strong smells, which can harm small children and pets. The naturally cleaning powerhouses from the likes of baking soda, vinegar, and borax get the job done while lessening their harm on the earth. Check out this list of green cleaning hacks and get inspired with ideas on how to use natural cleansers around your whole household!

 

You’ll find that once you get your spring cleaning session underway, your apartment will have a more welcoming and serene feel throughout every room! How are you planning to tackle the clutter? Let us know in the comments!