Take stock of what you using and research the best ways to phase out wasteful items. This could mean anything from trading your paper towels for bar mops to making your own reusable disinfectant wipes with clean rags, rubbing alcohol and essential oils.

Today, there's a wealth of high-quality, effective cleaning products that will get the job done without polluting your home environment. Look for products that are verified by the Environmental Working Group (or a similar organization). Bonus points if the packaging is recycled or biodegradable!

You can significantly reduce your energy use by air drying your clothes. On days when the sun is shining and the spring breeze is a' blowing, clip your clothes to a line strung across your porch or between two trees to take full advantage of those fresh air dried vibes. Don't have a yard or porch? You can still air dry your clothes indoors with indoor drying racks (just make sure it's well ventilated). Air drying your clothes will also help extend the life of the fabrics.

Blend your own cleaning solutions, which you can customize with everything from lemon to vinegar, rubbing alcohol, essential oils and other scented ingredients based on the surfaces in your home. Invest in a few glass pump and spray bottles to house your concoctions, and you'll acieve green queen (or king) status in no time!

Spring cleaning isn't just about cleaning, but setting better habits for the months ahead. Improper or "wishful" recycling can cause entire batches of recyclable goods to get dumped into  landfills. Read more on how to recycle properly or check with your municipal waste treatment facility and follow their guidelines to ensure your recyclables will be sorted properly.

Make cloth rags from old clothes that cannot be donated, and use them in place of paper towels for deep cleaning projects around the house. If you need more than your closet can provide, check out a local thrift store, as some places make and sell bulk rags from un-salable donations. It's a great way to save money, reduce waste and give old fabrics a new use. 

When thrown in the garbage, food scraps take up unnecessary space in your trash bags (and later in the landfill). It's also a missed opportunity to produce free, nutritional fertilizer for your plants. Get our free quick start compost guide to start wasting less food today!

As you're sorting through the dreaded pile of mail and papers, make note of any bills that can be switched to paperless, and the junk mail lists you out to get yourself taken off of. And remember to opt for digital receipts any time this is offered, as receipt paper is often coated with toxic BPA and BPS.

Small tweaks can drastically improve your home's energy efficiency. This is your cue to get that leaky faucet fixed, check the filters on your appliances, seal up windows and duct work, start washing your laundry in cold water, and more!