Ready to order? Here are six tips for sustainable spring cleaning in Athens

Spring is a time of change and new beginnings, dominated by flowers and changing weather. Spring cleaning has become a common tradition that refreshes and renews homes for the new season.

For those in Athens looking to be more sustainable this spring, here are six tips for affordable and eco-friendly spring cleaning.

Donate

Athens is home to a variety of consignment and thrift stores that purchase clothing and other goods or accept donations.

There are three Goodwill donation drop-off centers in Athens, all of which accept donations of a variety of items, including furniture, toys, clothing, decorations and electronics. Goodwill also offers the option to pick up donations for a variety of fees.

While not yet open for shopping, Uptown Cheapskate on Hickory Street is currently purchasing used clothing for cash value or an additional 25% in store credit.

The Swap Shop at UGA is a free thrift store located in Room 278 of the Zell B. Miller Learning Center. The swap shop is open and accepting donations on Tuesdays and Fridays from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Donations are available 24 hours a day behind the security desk on the second floor of the MLC.

reuse

Instead of throwing away or recycling items after the first use, use them in unexpected ways to make spring cleaning easier.

Old T-shirts that you no longer want or can no longer use can be used as cleaning rags. Simply use the t-shirt as is or cut it into squares to make multiple fabrics. A t-shirt can even be turned into a wraparound headband to keep hair out of your face while you scrub. Simply cut a strip from the middle of the t-shirt and stretch it to create the headband shape you want.

Faded or unwanted sheets and blankets can be used to protect furniture or floors when dusting fans or cleaning walls. If a sheet is not too worn, you can use it to dress a dining table as a tablecloth or use it to make curtains using a sewing machine.

Instead of a sponge, you can use squeezed lemons or other citrus fruits when cleaning the sink. Pour some dish soap or baking soda into the sink and rub it well into half of the citrus.

Create

Many household cleaners can be made from products you already have, such as white vinegar, baking soda, lemon, or dish soap. Making household cleaning products can be a more economical and sustainable option than purchasing pre-made cleaning products.

Content creator Babs, known for her Instagram account @brunchwithbabs, shared in an Instagram post how she makes a homemade window cleaner by mixing a cup of distilled water, a quarter cup of isopropyl alcohol, and a half cup of vinegar in a spray bottle.

Organize and store

The organization can help prevent overconsumption by viewing all existing goods and determining whether there is room for additional items. For many, organizing a room can help create order by making visible which items don't have a logical place in the home.

A wide variety of things can be stored in old pasta or jam jars. Use them in the office to store paper clips, tacks or pens, in the kitchen to store straws, kitchen utensils or as a place to store produce, dry goods or leftovers.

Recycle

Recycling is considered the final step for a sustainably used item. If an item has been carefully used in all possible uses and is clean and dry, recycle it. But not everything can be recycled.

One way to determine if something is recyclable is to use the HOPE rule. The acronym stands for Hard, One Material, Post-It Note and Empty. Items must be made of hard plastic, made of a single material, larger than a Post-it note, and empty.

Other items that do not meet this description may be taken to recycling centers or locations with specially categorized recycling bins. These locations include Publix, Kroger, Lowes, the UGA Science Library and the Hard-to-Recycle Materials Center.

Taking an extra moment to determine if something is recyclable makes all the difference in reducing waste.

buy locally

Consider shopping from local businesses that offer sustainable or artisanal products.

Community is a sustainable clothing and homewares store based in Athens that aims to provide zero-waste clothing. Offering vintage and repurposed clothing, sustainably sourced natural products, and products from Athenian merchants.

Shopping at the Athens Farmers Market is also a way to find local, low-waste items from small businesses. Vendors sell a variety of items, from fruits and vegetables to candles and art. The market is held year-round on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon in Bishop Park and on Wednesdays from March to November from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Creature Comforts in downtown Athens.

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