While spring cleaning your  Portland apartment can be cathartic, it can also be harmful to the environment. Each year thousands of chemicals from cleaning products are washed into our waterways. Volatile organic compounds (VOC) in cleaning products can affect indoor air quality and adds to outdoor smog. Containers and packaging from cleaning products end up in landfills.

But you can have your cathartic cleaning sessions and keep the environment clean with these eco-friendly apartment cleaning solutions.

Keep Your Clothes and Environment Clean

Chlorine is a common ingredient in many cleaning supplies and detergents we use to clean our Portland apartment! Replace chlorine products with solutions that use hydrogen peroxide, lemon and vinegar. You can keep your clothing and the water clean by choosing eco-friendly, bleach-free, laundry detergents.

We all love the way that dryer sheets make our clothing feel and smell. However, many dryer sheets release toxins in the air during the dryer cycle and end up in landfills. 

Instead of using dryer sheets, try dampening a washcloth with apple cider vinegar and throwing it in the dryer. The vinegar prevents static cling and makes your clothes feel softer. 

You can also sprinkle ¼ cup into the washing machine during the main wash cycle to freshen and soften your clothes without having to add dryer sheets when drying.

There are also many natural, toxin-free dryer sheets, and detergents available from Amazon.

DIY Green Cleaning Solutions

These DIY Green Cleaning Solutions are ideal ways to deep clean your Linc 301 apartment.

Baking Soda is a household staple that helps clean, deodorize, brighten, and cut through grease in your apartment. Mix it with some dish soap for a non-toxic abrasive solution to clean tubs, counters, sinks and more.

Castile Soap is made from plant oils and cuts through grease and grime. It is an effective cleaner for stoves, countertop, and other surfaces.

Olive Oil does not just taste great, it also makes a great polisher for many of the wood services in your Portland apartment. Simply dampen a cloth with olive oil and rub it on the surface in circular motions. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes and then buff off for a great shine.

These simple tips can help you spring clean your Portland apartment, save money, reduce toxins, and help the environment.