The coming of spring often brings about a need to refresh, renew, and clean out unwanted items from your Greenville NC real estate. During the winter months you have most likely accumulated a wealth of merchandise that no longer fits your decorating taste or your digital needs----or your body, for that matter. While the temptation to simply toss these products into the trash may be a strong one, do take a few minutes to consider both the hazards of doing so and the rewards of recycling instead.
As you are purging your home, you will most likely also be giving it a thorough, old-fashioned cleaning, and that's good--except for the "old-fashioned" part. Because of the recent emphasis on greening the planet, eco-friendly cleaning products are now widely available and should be used whenever possible. How do you know if a product is environmentally safe? Read on...
- Read labels: The fewer the chemicals listed in the ingredients, the better.
- Look for the DfE logo: Products bearing this seal have been deemed safe by the EPA.
- Seventh Generation products: Haven't sought the DfE seal, but products are eco-friendly. In addition, the company is pushing Congress for tougher regulations on toxic chemicals.
- Use common household cleaners: These are effective cleansers--and much less expensive, too. Baking soda, lemon juice, and white vinegar are generally good all-purpose cleaners. Note: vinegar should NOT be used on marble!
Another aspect of the spring clean-up is the identifying and clearing out of unwanted items and disposing of them in a "green" way.
- Eyeglasses: Your local Lions Club always welcomes these!
- Clothing/Shoes: A good way to clean closets in your Greenville NC real estate is to donate items you no longer want or need. Goodwill Industries, the Salvation Army, and some veterans' groups will gladly accept your discarded apparel. Check, too, with your church, local charities, and consignment shops. Shoes can also be donated to Soles4Souls.org. Look for their collection bins in malls or go online to their website for specifics.
- Toys: Because many toys contain lead, mercury, or other harmful metals, they should not be disposed of in landfills. Contact shelters, local charities, or church groups to see if they will accept used toys. Consignment shops, especially those geared towards children's merchandise, are another possibility.
- Electronics: With the proliferation of computers, cell phones, chargers, mp3 players, digital gadgets, DVD games, camcorders and the like, companies which will pay you, either in cash or in gift certificates to Sears, Kmart, and Visa, for these items are flourishing.
You should also watch your newspapers near your Greenville NC real estate for special collection days (generally once or twice a year) for unwanted electronic equipment,
- Hazardous Waster Material: Paints, bug sprays, antifreeze, and batteries need to be disposed of carefully to avoid contaminating soil, water, and air. Some libraries will accept used batteries.
- Furniture: As with clothing, used furniture will be accepted by Goodwill, Salvation Army, and the like. You might also contact Habitat for Humanity Restores.
By following these guidelines, your spring cleaning efforts will benefit not only you and your Greenville NC real estate, but the planet and future generations as well.
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