Sustainable Spring Cleaning

Every spring, people across the country prepare to overhaul their wardrobes, dump old decor, and reorganize their homes. It can be a great way to prepare for the summer, providing a fresh environment for the coming season. This often entails a lot of shopping for and dumping of clothes. It is important to keep sustainability in mind through all of this, as fast fashion floods the industry. Through these tips, spring cleaning can be a stress-free process that doesn’t break the bank-- or the environment.

1. Make rules. By creating a set of rules for what you can and cannot buy, you can prevent overthinking whether you should get something or not. For instance, not buying things that are similar to something you already have. If you have 5 pairs of flare jeans, getting a 6th probably won’t have a significant impact on your wardrobe. 

2. Consolidate. The same idea applies to what to get rid of. If you never wear any of those flares, you can probably get rid of the uncomfortable ones and just save your favorite pair for the off chance you want to go to a 70s-themed costume party. 

3. Closet Shopping. Rather than shopping in stores overloaded with mass-produced items, thrift stores have become a popular alternative. The rise in popularity has also created a rise in prices, making thrift stores less accessible to those who rely on them. Getting clothes from friends and relatives can be one of the most affordable ways to refresh your wardrobe without increasing your carbon footprint. Hosting a clothing swap can be a fun way to hang out with friends and get rid of some clothes you don’t want anymore.

4. Hand On Down. Most people donate clothes with good intentions, but in reality, clothing donations can lead to more harm than good. Only 20% of items donated to second-hand stores will get sold, the majority of them ending up in landfills or textile recycling facilities. Before immediately donating everything that has stopped bringing you joy, consider giving it to friends and family who might appreciate it more. The longer the clothes you initially bought stay in circulation for use, the less of a carbon footprint is created.

5. Consider Your Attachments. It is easy to get arbitrarily attached to your possessions, but once you evaluate the reasons why you want to keep your belongings, it can be much easier to rationalize getting rid of things you don’t use. For instance, rather than keeping all of the clothes you’ve had since middle school because of nostalgia, keep a few things that remind you of that era and allow the rest to move on. 

Have Fun. While cleaning definitely isn’t for everyone, organizing your home doesn’t have to be a daunting, dreaded task. Play some music, binge-watch a show, or call your friend. Or, use this time to take a walk down memory lane, reminisce, and reflect on how much you’ve grown. No matter how you approach this task, remember to enjoy the experience of it, so you don’t get burned out trying to reach the finish line.