13 Eco-Friendly Tips For Spring

Spring has finally arrived!! After a long, cold winter, I'm ready for warm weather, blue skies, and gardening.

This time of year is perfect for sprucing up our green routine. And with these tips, you'll be well prepared for the warm months ahead!

Eco-Friendly Tips for Spring

1. Join a CSA (Community Sponsored Agriculture) and try new fruits and vegetables. Most CSAs offer recipes so experiment and discover new and wonderful meals.
2. Clean your home from top to bottom using natural, Eco-friendly cleansers. There are a ton of natural recipes online ... they are easy to make with ingredients typically found in the kitchen (vinegar, baking soda, lemons, etc.).
3. Clean your bathroom fans once a year. Turn off the power and take the cover off. Wash it in soapy water. Clean the fan blades with a toothbrush.
4. Open and close all windows. If they stick or don't open/close easily, check the weather stripping.
5. Check outside hose faucets for damage. Turn the water on and place your hand over the opening. If you can stop the flow of water, it is likely the pipe inside the home is damaged and will need to be replaced.
6. Clean Bird Feeders and Baths ... and make any necessary repairs. And while you're add it, put up a bee house.
7. Now is a great time to start a seed swap, set up tool sharing with your neighbors, or organize a little free library.
8. Start a compost pile ... it's great fertilizer for your garden and reduces food waste.
9. Prepare for new growth in your garden. Rake leaves and winter debris. Use a hoe to loosen the soil and mix in compost for nutrients.
10. Now's the perfect time to plant trees and bushes. Cooler temperatures and rain give them a good start.
11. Check the garden hose for dry rot and replace if necessary!
12. Use garlic to repel mosquitoes. Just cut the garlic and rub it on your skin. While this method isn't scientifically proven, many people swear by the practice.
13. Did you know that sunscreens contribute to coral bleaching? Protect yourself from the sun, and protect coral reefs, by using natural, Eco-friendly sunscreens. And don't forget sunglasses, hats and umbrellas!

Want more? Click HERE for last year's list of tips ... all tried and true!

If you're moving into Autumn instead of Spring, you might be interested in Eco-Friendly Tips For Autumn 2014.

What's your favorite way to prepare for spring?

This post is shared at Healthy, Happy, Green & Natural Party Hop and Lou Lou Girls Fabulous Party

17 Tips For Spring

Spring is HERE!

Welcome to the first day of Spring!! I'll bet that you thought it would never get here, right? I had my doubts! But it's here and it's time for our annual spring tips and ideas.

If you're moving into Autumn instead of Spring, you might be interested in Eco-Friendly Tips For Autumn.

Eco-Friendly Tips for Spring

1. Spring is traditionally a time to tackle those big cleaning jobs. Instead of using toxic chemicals, opt for more earth-friendly cleansers. Check out How to Make a Non-Toxic Cleaning Kit for ideas and recipes.
2. Clean out closets and drawers and donate usable items to a charity, thrift stores or post them on FreeCycle.
3. Take a look at air filters and wash or replace them as necessary. And don't forget the filter on your dryer ... it needs regular washing as well.



To avoid over watering,
group plants with the
same watering needs together.

4. Plan a vegetable garden. When considering which veggies to grow, consider heirloom varieties which help to preserve biodiversity. Consider natural pest control rather than toxic pesticides (click HERE for more information and be sure to click through to the natural slug control as well). Is your space limited? Consider a container and/or vertical garden. And, rather than commercial fertilizers, start a compost pile to nourish your garden.
5. If you'll be landscaping your yard, opt for native plants which don’t need as much water and fertilizer.
6. Check the air pressure in your tires. Warmer temperatures affect tire pressure and improperly inflated tires lowers fuel efficiency.
7. As the weather warms, consider walking or cycling instead of driving. Or, choose the bus/train for your travel needs.



Dry clothing outside to save energy.

8. Dry your clothes outside rather than use the dryer.
9. Sweep your patio, deck or walkway instead of using an air blower.
10. Use a push mower instead of a power or gas mower.
11. Switch the direction on your ceiling fan to cool (here's a hint ... when you stand under the fan you should feel the air blowing down on you).
12. When the fireplace is no longer being used, close the damper.
13. Check the batteries on smoke detectors and make sure they are working properly (okay, it's not a "green" tip but ... it's important).



Shoes carry pollutants into the home.

14. Remove your shoes upon entering your home.
15. Open the curtains and let the sun shine in (it'll help clean your air) and open the doors to let in some fresh air.
16. Speaking of curtains, adjust them as the days warm up ... open them in the early morning and after the sun goes down ... and close them during the hot parts of the day, especially when the sun shines directly on your windows.
17. Here's a trick for cooling your home on hot days ... rather than use an air conditioner, try using a portable fan ... during the cool morning & evening hours, set the fan in a window and blow in fresh air. When it gets too hot in the house, turn the fan and blow the hot air out. You'll be amazed at how well this works.

Spring is a great time to brush off our "green routine" and renew our commitment to the earth.

It's our home!

What Eco-friendly tips do you have for spring?


Sneak Peek: Our very own Clare, of EcoExpert Blog, will be joining us tomorrow. She has something very special planned for you. "See" you then!

Posted at Small Footprint Fridays and Fit Foodie Runs Linky Party

17 Eco-Friendly Tips For Spring

Welcome to Spring!! After a cold winter with some severe storms throughout the world, warmer weather and sunshine is definitely welcome. But with the change in temperature, our green routines must change as well. Here are a few tips to get us started:

If you're moving into Autumn instead of Spring, you might be interested in
39 Tips For Fall.

1. Spring is traditionally a time to tackle those big cleaning jobs. Instead of using toxic chemicals, opt for more earth-friendly cleansers. Check out How to Make a Non-Toxic Cleaning Kit for ideas and recipes.
2. Clean out closets and drawers and donate usable items to a charity, thrift stores or post them on FreeCycle.
3. Take a look at air filters and wash or replace them as necessary. And don't forget the filter on your dryer ... it needs regular washing as well.
4. Plan a vegetable garden. When considering which veggie to grow, consider heirloom varieties which help to preserve biodiversity. Consider natural pest control rather than toxic pesticides (click HERE for more information and be sure to click through to the natural slug control as well). Is your space limited? Consider a container and/or vertical garden. And, rather than commercial fertilizers, start a compost pile to nourish your garden.
5. If you'll be landscaping your yard, opt for native plants which don’t need as much water and fertilizer.
6. Check the air pressure in your tires. Warmer temperatures affect tire pressure and improperly inflated tires lowers fuel efficiency.
7. As the weather warms, consider walking or cycling instead of driving. Or, choose the bus/train for your travel needs.
8. Dry your clothes outside rather than use the dryer.
9. Sweep your patio, deck or walkway instead of using an air blower.
10. Use a push mower instead of a power or gas mower.
11. Switch the direction on your ceiling fan to cool (here's a hint ... when you stand under the fan you should feel the air blowing down on you).
12. When the fireplace is no longer being used, close the damper.
13. Check the batteries on smoke detectors and make sure they are working properly (okay, it's not a "green" tip but ... it's important).
14. Remove your shoes upon entering your home.
15. Open the curtains and let the sun shine in (it'll help clean your air) and open the windows to let in some fresh air.
16. Speaking of curtains, adjust them as the days warm up ... open them in the early morning and after the sun goes down ... and close them during the hot parts of the day, especially when the sun shines directly on your windows.
17. Here's a trick for cooling your home on hot days ... rather than use an air conditioner, try using a portable fan ... during the cool morning & evening hours, set the fan in a window and blow in fresh air. When it gets too hot in the house, turn the fan and blow the hot air out. You'll be amazed at how well this works.

Spring is a time of renewal ... let's renew our commitment to a green life.

What tips do you have for spring?

Image courtesy of franky242 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net