We go to great lengths to keep the home clean. It’s where we raise our families, gather with friends, cook and eat, rest and unwind, and so much more. And when we take good care of our home environment, it takes good care of us. Summer is the perfect time to lighten up, let things go, open those windows, and air everything out!
It doesn’t matter where you start, even making small changes in your everyday routines and tasks can add up to a big difference. When you run out of something, rather than replacing it right away, come back to this list to find a better, healthier way to go about your cleaning.
Pure and simple
You really don’t need much more than water. Replace every conventional cleaner under the kitchen sink and in the laundry room without sacrificing the hygiene of your home just by using ingredients from your kitchen to make your own clean cleaning products. If you want the best recipes, trust Alexandra Zissu who put it all into one incredible book (ironically making this list slightly redundant!). alexandrazissu.com
Stop using sponges
Did you know that a dry surface retards bacteria growth? When you clean anything, wipe it dry! Amala’s Magic Sponge Cloths can be used on all surfaces to remove dirt and dust, and one cloth can absorb 20 times its own weight in water. They’re extremely durable, machine washable, biodegradable, and can be used over and over. loveamala.com
Clean all the things
No matter how much marketing tries to convince us otherwise, we do not need a different cleaning product for every cleaning task. These all-in-one soaps will take care of it all: the dishes, toilets, tubs and showers, floors, and bodies! Clean your house and yourselves without synthetic preservatives, detergents, or foaming agents. drbronner.com
Plant it out
Plants in healthy soil are not only a beautiful way to bring color to any space, but these living accessories also freshen the air, and can even be enjoyed in your everyday cooking. My kids love to steep tea from our organic lemongrass plant that thrives in our favourite self-watering planters: they’re stylish, shatterproof, weather resistant, easy to clean, and they have a water level indicator that makes watering a breeze. lechuza.ca
Clear the air
There are excellent (and nice looking) activated charcoal filters on the market that draw impurities from the air and absorb both smells and toxins. Try them in the fridge, the car, the bathroom, or diaper pail to trap and neutralize odours. rikumo.com
#yesfilter
Simply drop a lump of Kishu charcoal into a pitcher or bottle of tap water to filter lead, mercury, copper, cadmium, and chlorine, leaving you with healthy minerals and a delicious clean taste. One stick will clean your water for four months, and then you can put it in your fridge to absorb odors or into your garden soil to help improve water absorption. kishucharcoal.com
Be abrasive
To really tackle extra grime, try a scrubbing pad made from walnut shells for natural scouring power. Walnut shells work as a natural abrasive to scrub surfaces without scratching and they are gentle, effective, durable, and won’t cause an allergic reaction. fullcirclehome.com
Number one wipes
This toilet paper is tree-free, made with 100% bamboo and sugarcane. It’s biodegradable, whitened without chemicals, fragrance free, BPA free, and non-GMO. And while it’s not as plush as some other brands, it still gets the job done. cabooproducts.com
Pass the smell test
Scent is a powerful tool we can use to make our homes feel clean, inviting, relaxing, festive, and so much more. But don’t use toxic fragrances, sprays, and candles that your loved ones will inhale. Real fresh scent can be achieved by simply opening the windows, or for a little something special, spray Kejiwa Botanical Sprays. They’re handmade in San Diego with wild, organic, and biodynamic pure essential oils offering an instant energetic reset. kejiwastore.com
