David Maslen on spring cleaning can make a difference

We know that a well-presented property can make or break the chances of an early sale, and whilst spring is generally the most popular time of year to make a move, it is also the obvious time for a spring clean. Whilst cleaning and maintenance make a difference to the saleability of your property, the way in which you undertake them can also make a difference to our environment – positive or negative. We hope it will be positive as you make choices regarding your property. Here are some alternative ideas:

Always repair dripping taps promptly – they can waste around 13 litres of water a day!

Baking soda (75mls) in 200ml of vinegar is a powerful but environmentally friendly drain-cleaning solution, following a run of boiling water.

Paint, oil and solvents can be particularly harmful. We waste 6.2 million litres of paint every year in the UK – so why not donate any leftovers to community projects?

Only use washing machines or dishwashers when full. Avoid washing clothes at high temperatures, and turn the iron off as you reach your last item of clothing.

Choose plants that don’t need much water, such as lavender, buddleia or wallflowers.

Replace old light bulbs with energy efficient ones, and replace conventional batteries with rechargeable ones.

Donate unwanted items to charity shops rather than filling up land-fill sites with goods that could go to a new home.

Make the effort to use council recycling facilities for bottles, newspapers, etc.

Making compost from your biodegradable waste is an easy and satisfying way of improving your garden soil.

You don’t have to become a card-carrying member of Greenpeace, but sometimes a simple awareness of environmental issues can play a small part in improving our environment for future generations.