Spring Cleaning:
Freshen up your home in a water-friendly way

Spring is here—and with it comes the annual urge to open the windows, clear out the clutter, and give our homes a fresh start. As you tackle your spring cleaning list, it’s important to remember that what we use inside our homes can make its way outside… and eventually into the Torch Lake Watershed.

The good news? A few simple swaps can help you clean effectively while protecting our clean, clear waters.

Clean Smarter, Not Stronger

Many conventional cleaners contain chemicals like chlorine, ammonia, and triclosan—ingredients that can harm water quality and aquatic life when they enter our lakes and streams.

Instead, opt for safer alternatives:

• Skip harsh chemicals whenever possible
• Choose biodegradable, plant-based products
• Look for simple ingredient lists you can recognize
• Cleaner doesn’t have to mean harsher—it just has to be smarter.

Simple Swaps That Make a Big Impact

You don’t need a cabinet full of specialty products to get a sparkling home. In fact, some of the most effective cleaners are likely already in your pantry.

From Torch Conservation Center recommendations:

• Use white distilled vinegar instead of ammonia
• Choose Castile soap over antibacterial soaps with triclosan
• Use hydrogen peroxide or non-chlorine bleach instead of chlorine-based products

These swaps reduce harmful chemicals while still getting the job done.

Back to the Basics

Channel a little “grandmother wisdom” this season—simple, homemade cleaners are effective, affordable, and eco-friendly.

Try:

• Vinegar + water for countertops and glass
• Baking soda for scrubbing sinks and tubs
• Lemon for natural deodorizing

Many of these ingredients clean just as well as store-bought products—without the environmental impact.

Reduce Waste While You Clean

Spring cleaning often means decluttering—but where those items go matters.

• Donate gently used items instead of tossing them
• Repurpose old towels and t-shirts as cleaning rags
• Skip single-use wipes and paper towels when possible

Reducing waste helps conserve resources and keeps unnecessary materials out of landfills.

Think Beyond the Surface

Eco-friendly cleaning isn’t just about what you spray—it’s also about what goes down the drain or in our septic.

Keep our waterways clean by:

• Flush only toilet paper – no tissues, wipes or tampons
• Take shorter showers
• Go light on soap & shampoo

Everything that goes down your drain has the potential to reach our watershed.

Visit the TCC Artisan Market to get your eco-friendly Spring cleaning supplies!

stainless spray bottles – $18

spray caps for mason jars – $10

re-usable un-paper towels

100% chamois cloth – perfect for all cleaning tasks including wiping down your boat to prevent the spread of invasive species