Products that are good for the earth are also good for families, homes and beloved pets, but often consumers are misled by the products their grocers offer that are labeled as “green” but aren’t necessarily so. This makes the process of picking the right cleaner a little cumbersome. But the Good Earth Market near Clarksville, Del., takes the guesswork out of the product-picking with their lines of products.
A top pick is certainly the Meyers line, a favorite of the Good Earth Market’s owner, Sue Ryan, not only for its throwback retro labeling but also for its lavish scents and cleaning abilities. And Good Earth is fully stocked with products to get people well on their way to green spring cleaning, from cleaning solutions to Seventh Generation paper towels and everything in between.
Don’t throw it out! Get ‘thrifty’
The inclination to toss things that one doesn’t want is certainly justifiable, but it certainly isn’t green. Keep in mind: “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” There are lots of places to donate old stuff – of course, Atlantic Community Thrift Store (ACTS) on Route 26 in Clarksville, Del., is a community favorite for donating items, but there is also the Goodwill in Millsboro, Del., and a slew of other second hand shops throughout Salisbury, Md. But there are other alternatives, too.
Consign or sell
For people who have a lot of stuff that is still in tip-top shape, why not try a local consignment shop? Christine’s Consignment shop (behind the Ocean View Deli in Ocean View, Del.) is up and coming, just down the street, there’s Déjà Vu (right near Going Green/Coastal Point headquarters), and in Clarksville, Lavender & Lace consigns antiques.
Families can also host yard sales together — and that allows the whole family to participate in something fun and meaningful. The stuff that people amass can sometimes have a great deal of worth, and cashing in on that can keep things from entering our landfills.
Recycle!
If the items being cleaned out or tossed just cannot be salvaged, try to recycle as much as possible. This third and final “don’t throw it out” option saves big time when it comes to our dumps and landfills, and is something that anyone can feel good about.
Everyone needs a good cleaning now and again. There are so many movements within the United States lately that boast the “less is more” concept, and living minimally is something that may serve us well. Whether spring cleaning is a yearly event, or being initiated for the first time, there are green solutions to get a well-rounded feeling of satisfaction and environmental responsibility, and that is something about which everyone can feel clean and green.
