With these tips you can start the spring relaxed and casual
Created: 02/24/2022, 10:47 am
When the weather gets warmer again, you can often leave the car at home in favor of the bike in spring.
© Sebastian Duda/Imago
Sustainability expert Nathali Betancourt has five valuable tips for a relaxed start to spring – sustainable and clean.
Spring is just around the corner – officially on March 20th.
The majority of Germans use this time for spring cleaning to get rid of old furniture, worn-out clothes or bad habits.
Sustainability expert Nathali Betancourt from the GreenTech company Enpal has therefore put together five tips with which you can not only start the spring cleanly, but above all sustainably.
Tip 1: detox cleaning closet
Does the thought of spring cleaning make you a little dizzy?
This can be due to a lack of desire to clean - or to the irritating chemicals in many cleaning products.
Aggressive cleaning agents are unfortunately still frequently used and are harmful to both health and the environment.
No more cleaning?
Unfortunately no solution either.
A good alternative are therefore
DIY cleaning products based on vinegar or baking soda and citrus oils
.
Mixing it yourself makes the many plastic bottles superfluous and at the same time protects nature.
Also read
: Cleaning the birdcage - That's how often you really have to go.
Tip 2: Get out on the bike
When it comes to spring cleaning, don't stop at the garage this year.
Because now is the ideal time to get your
bike into shape
.
For example, if you cycle 5 kilometers to work every day, you save around 310 kilograms of CO2 per year.
For the somewhat longer, mountainous routes, there is a more comfortable alternative with the e-bike.
So that you can resist the car even better, a seasonal license plate is also
recommended
.
The car is only registered for a desired period of time per year - costs less, protects the environment and strengthens the leg muscles!
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Tip 3: Prepare the solar system for spring
In general, solar systems are durable and low-maintenance.
Nevertheless, it makes sense to carry out a general check in the spring.
A
quick look at the electricity meter
enough to know how much electricity the solar system generates.
In this way, it is possible to check whether the yield of the system has reduced or whether there is a defect.
As a rule, a short rain shower will clean the modules by itself. If leaves, twigs or bird droppings are sticking, it can be advisable to have them cleaned by specialists.
Don't have a solar system yet?
Then you should also clear out your electricity contract and switch to energy from solar power or maybe think about purchasing your own solar system, for example as a rental subscription model.
This not only saves you resources, but also money.
Because self-generated solar power is cheaper than electricity from the energy producer.
Tip 4: Upcycling instead of throwing away
Spring cleaning involves clearing out a lot and often creates a lot of rubbish.
However , a
throwaway mentality
is not sustainable
.
Therefore, you can upcycle many things that you may no longer need around the house.
Old pots can quickly become unusual planters, or an old sledge can be used to conjure up a coat rack for the hallway with a bit of skill.
Also read
: Cooking daffodils?
That's behind it.
Tip 5: Create green oases
Transform your home into a plant-rich oasis.
You can not only plant your garden or balcony, but also roof and facade areas.
Did you know that a
green roof can store up to 90 percent of rainwater
?
Green facades also have many advantages, for example they act like air conditioning in summer and offer ideal thermal protection.
For the tenants among you without a balcony: houseplants also ensure clean air.
Because they not only bind dust, but also filter pollutants from the room air and convert carbon dioxide into oxygen, among other things.
The higher humidity also improves the indoor climate.
Source: Enpal/Get Press
