Happy ‘clean’ cleaning!
Did you know that, according to the EPA, the concentrations of certain pollutants are often 2 to 5 times higher indoors than they are outside? The simple act of opening your windows each day can “clean” up the indoor air environment by allowing for adequate air exchange between indoors and outdoors. Opening your windows is an especially good idea when you are cleaning because many cleaning products contribute to the poor quality of indoor air. You can avoid adding to the pollution of your home by choosing safer cleaning products, but because of the overall benefit of allowing fresh air in, we recommend you practice opening your windows daily regardless.
Pick any room in the home and there is a surface that needs cleaning. Check out some of the special areas we pay attention to for a thorough spring cleaning.
- Countertops
- Windows – the glass panes (inside and out), windowsills, and the trim above the windows
- Mirrors
- Furniture
- Walls – believe it or not, cobwebs, dirt, and dust can settle on vertical surfaces too
- Baseboards
- Appliances – don’t forget the top of the refrigerator!
- Doorknobs
- Light switches
- Showers/bathtubs
- Stovetop/oven
- Cupboards & cabinets
▢ MADE SAFE SOLUTIONS
For jobs that require a little extra scrubbing power:
Although some people may choose to lump this into the same category as washing surfaces, we believe dusting deserves its own category. Why? Despite its small and seemingly invisible size, dust is well worth the effort to remove from your home because indoor pollutants such as harmful VOCs, flame retardants, and pesticides can hitch a ride on dust particles. Even per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been found in settled dust. Dusting (either with a vacuum with a HEPA filter – details below – or a wet cloth) can help trap and remove these harmful pollutants from the home. Here are some of the places we focus on dusting during our spring cleaning. Tip: Always be sure to work top to bottom when dusting to be most efficient and effective.
- Ceiling fans
- Ceiling vent covers
- Blinds
- Picture frames
- Electronics – television, speakers, stereos, DVD players, wifi router, gaming consoles
- Bookshelves
- Heat sources – around the wood stove, radiators, heating vents
▢ MADE SAFE SOLUTIONS
-
- Caboo Cleaning Wipes
- Water and a rag
An obviously important component of cleaning the home at any time, sweeping and vacuuming help to remove dust, dirt, debris, road salt tracked in from the winter months, and so much more. When choosing a vacuum, look for a machine with a HEPA filter which traps particles and pollutants effectively. Without a good filter, dust can become surface and airborne while vacuuming. Many brands offer vacuums with HEPA filters – Shark makes a model that is especially budget-friendly if you are in the market.
Remember to clean out the easy-to-forget spaces:
- Underneath and behind furniture
- Inside drawers (especially in the bathroom and kitchen)
- Behind the refrigerator and stove
Nothing freshens up floors in a home better, which makes mopping a particularly rewarding aspect of any deep clean. Whether you are using a handheld mop or a good old-fashioned rag and bucket, check out the MADE SAFE Certified concentrates that you can utilize to get the job done without harsh odors and additives.
▢ MADE SAFE SOLUTIONS
Spring is also a great time to give a little extra attention to some of the linens and textiles in your home that don’t always make it into your regular loads of laundry. Below are some of the things we like to tackle with the changing of the seasons.
- Bedding – Yes, this is likely something you do wash regularly, but remember your duvet and decorative covers. Fresh bedding adds to that clean feeling in your home. In need of something new? There are lots of MADE SAFE Certified bedding options to choose from. Changing over the bedding is also a great opportunity to remember to rotate your mattress!
- Curtains – If you can’t wash them, use a vacuum with the appropriate attachment to get rid of lint
- Bath mats (and any other washable throw rugs)
- Shower curtains (If you have one made from plastic it’s probably leeching chemicals – plus they get moldy.) When it’s time for a replacement look for one made from a natural fabric instead. Bonus, these are machine washable too.
- Couch (and other furniture) cushion covers
- When you’re finished, wash your washing machine by running it on hot with a nontoxic dishwasher detergent powder or a vinegar and water solution. Put approximately three tablespoons of the powder or vinegar solution directly into the drum and run it on the hot or sterilize setting. This is important to get rid of any mold or other residues that can be left behind in today’s machines.
▢ MADE SAFE SOLUTIONS
Detergent
Bleach Alternatives
Stain Treatments
Wool Dryer Balls (great for adding MADE SAFE Certified essential oils to scent your laundry)
Spring is the perfect time of year to clean out and organize junk drawers, closets, and go through your wardrobe. See our Guide to Sustainable Fashion for “approachable” tips on how to clean out your wardrobe. Donate any items that are “just gathering dust” – someone out there would love to give your forgotten favorites another life!
Finish up your spring cleaning by swapping out winter decorations for springtime ones. Bring new life into your space by putting out fresh flowers and plants, and maybe even lighting a MADE SAFE Certified candle or diffusing Certified essential oils. You could also consider using an air purifier from betterair, which delivers MADE SAFE Certified environmental probiotics into the air. Think of it like probiotics, but for the air and surfaces in your home. It works differently from typical filter systems by aiming to restore the biome of your indoor environment to a balanced state. Learn more about how it works here.
We hope this inspires you to invite some nontoxic cleaning methods and products into your home this season. Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram to show us your spring cleaning process or share any other nontoxic cleaning tips!