Most of the Reno area's drinking water comes from the Truckee River, which flows out of Lake Tahoe, runs through the middle of town, and ends at Pyramid Lake. That river is the reason green cleaning in Reno is about more than avoiding harsh fumes. What goes into a street drain here flows to the same river the region relies on.
The other reason is the climate. Reno is high desert and dry for most of the year, which changes which habits make sense. Water evaporates fast and leaves mineral spots behind, dust is constant, and mold, the problem that drives so much harsh chemical use in humid places, is far less common in a home without a leak.
Street drains go to the river
Reno's storm drains are separate from the sewer system and carry runoff to the Truckee River without treatment. A few habits keep cleaning chemicals out of it:
- Empty mop buckets into a sink or toilet, not the gutter or the driveway.
- Wash cars on the lawn or at a car wash that recycles its water, rather than letting suds run down the street.
- Never rinse paint brushes, solvents, or pool and spa chemicals outdoors.
- Take leftover paint, solvents, and harsh cleaners to a household hazardous waste collection. The City of Reno and Washoe County websites list current drop-off options.
Use less water without cleaning less
Water is precious in the high desert, and cleaning uses more of it than most people realize.
- Use a spray bottle and a microfiber cloth for wiping instead of a running faucet.
- A flat microfiber mop with a spray head cleans hard floors with a fraction of the water a bucket and string mop needs.
- Run the dishwasher full instead of rinsing by hand. A modern dishwasher generally uses less water than washing the same load in the sink.
- Sweep the patio and driveway instead of hosing them down.
Mineral spots and dry air
When water dries quickly, it leaves its minerals behind. That is why shower glass, faucets, and dishes spot so easily in a dry climate. The gentle fixes work well:
- Squeegee or towel dry shower glass and fixtures after use. It is the single most effective habit.
- Diluted white vinegar dissolves mineral film on glass, chrome, and glazed tile. Spray, wait a few minutes, wipe, and rinse. Keep it off marble, travertine, and other natural stone, and never mix it with bleach.
- Soak showerheads and faucet aerators in vinegar to clear buildup.
- To learn what is actually in your tap water, read the annual water quality report from the Truckee Meadows Water Authority, which serves most of the Reno area.
Dust without the spray cans
- Damp microfiber picks up fine desert dust instead of pushing it around. Aerosol furniture polish mostly leaves a residue that holds more dust.
- Dry air builds static, which makes dust cling to electronics and screens. A barely damp cloth breaks the static as it cleans.
- A vacuum with a sealed HEPA filter keeps fine dust and smoke particles from blowing back into the room.
- Change HVAC filters on schedule, and check them more often during smoke season.
A simple green kit
| Product | Use it for | Keep it away from |
|---|---|---|
| Dish soap | Kitchen grease, most washable surfaces | Nothing in particular; rinse well |
| Baking soda | Gentle scrubbing of sinks, tubs, stovetops | High gloss finishes that scratch |
| White vinegar, diluted | Glass, chrome, mineral spots | Natural stone, waxed wood, anything with bleach |
| 3% hydrogen peroxide | Cutting boards, the occasional mildew spot | Colored fabrics, which it can lighten |
| pH neutral cleaner | Stone counters, sealed wood, everyday wiping | Heavy grease, where dish soap works better |
For store-bought products, the EPA Safer Choice label means the ingredients have been reviewed for human and environmental safety.
Recycling cleaning containers
Curbside recycling in Reno is single stream, so rinsed plastic spray bottles and jugs can usually go into the recycling cart. Check your hauler's current accepted list. Trigger sprayers and pumps are often not accepted, so remove them first. Better still, buy concentrates and refill the bottles you already own.
Green cleaning questions for Reno
How do I remove hard water spots in Reno without harsh chemicals?
Spray diluted white vinegar on glass, chrome, or glazed tile, let it sit a few minutes, then wipe and rinse. Soak showerheads and aerators in vinegar to clear buildup, and squeegee shower glass after each use to prevent new spots. Do not use vinegar on marble or other natural stone.
Where do Reno storm drains go?
Reno's storm drains carry runoff to the Truckee River without treatment. Pour mop water into a sink or toilet, and take paint, solvents, and harsh chemicals to a household hazardous waste drop-off instead.
What is the best way to dust in a dry climate like Reno?
Use a slightly damp microfiber cloth, which captures fine dust and reduces static, and a vacuum with a sealed HEPA filter. Avoid aerosol polishes, which leave a residue that attracts more dust.
Can cleaning product bottles be recycled in Reno?
Rinsed plastic bottles and jugs can generally go into Reno's single stream curbside recycling. Remove trigger sprayers and pumps, and check your hauler's current list of accepted materials.