As the warmer air heralds the start of Spring here in the UK, there's often a sense of ‘refresh and renew’. With the Great British Spring Clean already in full swing (15th-31st March for the uninitiated) it’s an opportunity to delve into the nooks and crannies of our houses and reassess what we’ve accumulated over time. 

If, like me, you’d rather stick pins in your eyes than get the household chores done, it doesn’t have to be something to dread. What if we took this time to reflect not only on the clutter that hasn’t seen the light of day, but also the household chemicals used to make our homes look spick and span? Did you know, for example, that aside of the obvious plastic detergent containers stocked on supermarket shelves, the contents themselves often contain microplastics that ultimately find their way into our oceans?

The Great British Spring Clean however, isn't just about clearing out clutter and scrubbing surfaces. It's about repurposing and giving new life to items that have long been neglected. That old chair gathering dust in the corner? Perhaps it just needs a fresh coat of paint and a new cushion to become loved once more.  The clothes you haven’t worn in ages…donate them to charity, or host a clothing swap with friends to breathe new life into your wardrobe.

And let’s not forget the importance of community involvement during this time of rejuvenation. Joining local litter picks and neighbourhood clean-ups not only enhances our surroundings, but helps create a sense of community and pride in our shared spaces.

If you’re looking to switch from the harsh, microplastic-laden detergents, here are a few more natural alternatives to consider. If you lack the skills to rejuvenate that chair, or fix a broken zip on a once favourite piece of clothing, seek out a Repair Cafe where kind (and amazingly skilled) volunteers will sort it for you. Every small act contributes to a cleaner, greener environment for all. What will you do during the Great British Spring Clean? I’m off to sort my wardrobe(s)…