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It’s officially that time of year. Springtime. Time to go outside — garden and breathe a bit of fresh air. Sweet. Also time to clean the cobwebs from their corners — both in my mind and in my home. Come spring, I seem to go on a feng shui tear. De-cluttering closets and re-organizing drawers. I don’t know which is worse, to have or not have — things, and places to store these things.

If you have a similar compunction to undertake spring cleaning, you may uncover many possessions that are of no use to you anymore. Here are a few recommendations on where to recycle/unload items that may be of no value to you anymore…

  • RBRC – to recycle batteries under 2 lbs and cell phones.
  • NRDC’s – extensive recycling support for NYC.
  • Recycle.co.uk – Free giveaway website based in the UK.
  • Earth911.org - comprehensive info, by zip code.
  • Apple Computer – take-back & recycling program for US and Canada.
  • Dell Computer – recycles old PCs and monitors for a fee, no matter what the brand; or for free if you purchase a new Dell.
  • Recycles.org – an exchange network; find someone who may need a used computer or other electronics.
  • Oregon – where recycling efforts run deep.

Once you’ve surrendered your “don’t need anymore stuff,” you’ll have more room. Room to stretch on that yoga mat:) before diving in to spring clean your new-found space.

Years ago I read Isle Crawford’s The Sensual Home. What a find — her down to earth recommendations on how to care for your home are amazingly, still quite relevant. Crawford recommends the most natural and versatile tools: baking soda, distilled white vinegar (buy 2 of the largest jugs you can find), salt & lemon; and an old tooth brush for appliances (ie stove knobs & grills), faucets and drains. Covet clean, lint-free cloths.

For scrubbing, you can either buy a Dobi sponge or make one. You can make a reasonable facsimile of a Dobi pad by wrapping an old but clean facecloth in wire mesh from a “red potato” bag/or similar. You can re-use the cloth by washing it (without the mesh). Once the cloth has been refreshed, simply re-wrap with fresh mesh.

I concoct a big batch of Ilse’s heady mix — distilled white vinegar, water, baking soda, salt and lemon. Yes, this ubiquitous recipe is the best home-made, natural, green cleaning solution — if you haven’t already converted, it really works. I also keep a bucket of clean tap water available for rinsing the cloths.

Try your library, or pick up Sensual Home online. It’s a relaxing read, and an inspiration to find an old pair of clean, white cotton sox, stir up the non-toxic cleaning concoction, and go for it. Yeah, spring cleaning can be Zen-like. Almost like going on spring break. Just kidding.

If you prefer to pick-up a nontoxic solution off the grocery shelf, here are some of my favorite gentle but effective green solutions. Each brand offers a dazzling array of be kind to Earth solutions: