Spring clean, go green
Ali Carlson
Issue date: 4/30/09 Section: Feature
As spring and graduation roll around, so does the dreaded task of moving to a new apartment or back into your parent's house. With moving comes cleaning, another dreaded task many students managed to avoid all year long.
It might be a good idea to get a head start on spring-cleaning. It's an even better idea to be green about it.
First, if you're moving, focus on recycling and waste reduction.
"You may have noticed how full the dumpsters get on moving day," said Fred Ochs, professor of chemistry, geology and environmental science at Kirkwood Community College.
"There are great options to avoid filling the landfill, like donations to local charities, or simple stuff like putting the appropriate trash in the recycle bins," he added.
Just trying to make your apartment clean enough for a parent's visit? Worried about the strange-sounding ingredients listed on the products you use?
"The big environmental concerns revolve around what cleaning products are used," Ochs said. "Soap and water (or vinegar and baking soda) are the simplest and best cleaning agents and avoid all the environmental problems associated with commercial cleaners."
Using more natural products lessens the impact on the environment and saves money, too. Take things right out of your apartment cupboards, like vinegar and baking soda can help to save the environment and you dont even have to burn fossil fuels to do it.
If students want to give windows a shine they can simply mix vinegar or lemon juice with water.
To get the "streak free shine" from a homemade product, pick up some newspaper and use it to wipe down the windows. Family Circle magazine found that newsprint cuts down on the streaks that were found after cleaning windows using rags and paper towels.
To clean off counter tops and other traditional surfaces, try mixing vinegar and salt together or even baking soda and warm water.
And don't be taken in by marketing hype. "If a commercial product has the word 'green' on it in nice, friendly green letters, it's still no better than the simple, common household alternatives," Ochs said.
It might be a good idea to get a head start on spring-cleaning. It's an even better idea to be green about it.
First, if you're moving, focus on recycling and waste reduction.
"You may have noticed how full the dumpsters get on moving day," said Fred Ochs, professor of chemistry, geology and environmental science at Kirkwood Community College.
"There are great options to avoid filling the landfill, like donations to local charities, or simple stuff like putting the appropriate trash in the recycle bins," he added.
Just trying to make your apartment clean enough for a parent's visit? Worried about the strange-sounding ingredients listed on the products you use?
"The big environmental concerns revolve around what cleaning products are used," Ochs said. "Soap and water (or vinegar and baking soda) are the simplest and best cleaning agents and avoid all the environmental problems associated with commercial cleaners."
Using more natural products lessens the impact on the environment and saves money, too. Take things right out of your apartment cupboards, like vinegar and baking soda can help to save the environment and you dont even have to burn fossil fuels to do it.
If students want to give windows a shine they can simply mix vinegar or lemon juice with water.
To get the "streak free shine" from a homemade product, pick up some newspaper and use it to wipe down the windows. Family Circle magazine found that newsprint cuts down on the streaks that were found after cleaning windows using rags and paper towels.
To clean off counter tops and other traditional surfaces, try mixing vinegar and salt together or even baking soda and warm water.
And don't be taken in by marketing hype. "If a commercial product has the word 'green' on it in nice, friendly green letters, it's still no better than the simple, common household alternatives," Ochs said.
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