It’s important to pay attention to what we are using in our home, as this directly affects our physical and mental health. These are guidelines based upon what I have done over the years to create a healthier home environment.
Cleaning Our Home
To dust and wipe surfaces, try microfiber clothes. These particular clothes work just as well as some of the major companies known for microfiber products, and they are not as expensive. I know a couple people who clean homes for a living that use these clothes!
Try out some of these cleaner recipes I love. I have several plastic spray bottles that are filled with different combinations for different rooms of the house. Don’t just use any plastic bottle. The plastic spray bottles that are linked to above are made from HDPE plastic and have a recycle code of #2. The HDPE and recycle #1 or #2 is necessary if using plastic bottles that contain essential oils. You don’t have to use essential oils, but they provide a great scent and extra benefits. These recipes are simple, effective, and truly CLEAN as there are no harsh chemicals involved.
all-purpose cleaner- to deodorize, disinfect, and cut grime (kitchen, living room)
- 3 parts water to 1 part white vinegar
- 20 drops of lemon or essential oil of choice (I love anything citrus, as it’s purifying and smells great.)
- fill the rest of the bottle with hot water and shake each time before using
glass, mirrors, and windows
- 1 part water to 1 part white vinegar
- fill the rest of the bottle with hot water and shake each time before using
bathroom surfaces: sink, counter, child’s potty stool, top surfaces of toilet
- 3 parts water to 1 part white vinegar
- 20 drops of tea tree (melaleuca) essential oil
- fill the rest of the bottle with hot water and shake each time before using
Laundry
- My favorite eco-friendly/people-friendly detergent is Molly’s Suds. It has 5 simple ingredients, and the sodium carbonate is derived from the Green River basin in Wyoming. How cool is that?
- For brightening whites, there are two alternatives to using chlorine bleach. Either add a cup of hydrogen peroxide (3%) to the bleach dispenser in place of chlorine bleach, or add a cup of baking soda to the washer drum. DO NOT put the baking soda in the soap dispenser, as that could clog up the dispenser.
- White vinegar is great for stains and dirt. Just add a cup of it to the fabric softener or bleach dispenser.
Dish Soap
Our Home is Our Charging Pad
Home environment includes actual products we use, as well as things like indoor air quality, and how space is utilized. Many people don’t consider how things like mold or other toxins in the home can be sources of chronic illness. Another factor is how our use of space can impact our mental and emotional health. If our home is cluttered, and it gives us anxiety, then how can it really be the place we need to rest and restore ourselves? I have three small children, so I understand the struggle in being proactive to stay organized.
Our home is supposed to be a charging pad. Life is very busy, and even if we can’t make our entire home what we ideally want, we all deserve to have a space in it that’s just ours. We need to make our house or a part of it more than walls with pictures and shelves of stuff. It needs to reflect who we are, and possess a feeling that we want to have when we are there.
Indoor Air Quality
There are various companies who can check for dangerous mold and other toxins that may be in your home causing a wide range of physical symptoms. Definitely get that checked. You can also invest in air purification systems or mobile purifiers.
Avoid harsh chemicals so that your home is truly clean; in the sense that you know you’re not leaving residues of chemicals that could harm your children, pets, and anyone who is there.
What is Your Ideal Living Space?
If you work from home, what’s your office like? Does it have what’s necessary to keep you calm and focused? What do you need in your living room, kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms, and other spaces to create comfort? I have 3 children, so this is actually super important to me. I need alone time at the beginning and end of the day, and having a peaceful space to do that is great for the nervous system and overall health.
Healthy Home Environment Action Plan
Below I share some things that have helped me when creating a healthy home environment. Not having clutter, having a reasonably clean house, bringing the outdoors in, utilizing essential oils for scents, and having a special place to wind down are all important to me. What’s important to you? Let’s make it happen.
Pitch or Store
If I don’t use it, then I lose it. In the laundry room, you will find my “pile” that I donate to the local Salvation Army. In my basement I have these shelves and clear plastic bins to organize clothing, toys, decorations, and other items that are not always in use. I take a bin, a piece of tape, and write the contents of the bin with a Sharpie. I can see the fronts of each bin with the labels, and the bins are clear, which makes things even easier to find. The shelves and bins I linked to above are two different brands, but they fit together nicely. The bins fit inside of the shelves, and there’s a little room on top of the bins for me to put things that I like to keep handy.
Blocking Time: Clearing Junk Drawers and More
Junk drawers get cleaned out monthly, and the kitchen and laundry room cabinets are cleaned out once a year. After Christmas and New Year’s it’s a great time to purge and organize. On a weekly basis I use these baskets to gather things that need put away. I have one in the kitchen, bedroom, and one in the laundry room. During a quick clean on the weekend, those things can be put away. If you can de-clutter in small, weekly chunks, then it’s helpful in being organized and not getting overwhelmed.
Having the House Clean Within Reasonable Limits
It’s hard with kids, but I try to do a quick clean-up every weekend and do a good cleaning once a month. The quick clean-up focuses on dusting, vacuuming, and cleaning toilets, sinks, and counters. I also put away all the stuff I’ve collected through the week in my bins.
Bringing the Outside In
I love nature and having things in my home that bring me closer to the outdoors. My favorite things are plants. Here’s a list of the best plants (from NASA) to keep in your home to clean toxins from the air and keep your home feeling fresh.
Eliminating Odors in the Home
If you’re not familiar with diffusing or generally using essential oils, then please hear me out. I was first introduced to my diffuser and doTerra essential oils in November of 2015, and let me confirm the hype: oils are fabulous. When someone says that the possibilities are endless with essential oils, they are not kidding. I have friends who are amazing people and wellness advocates for doTerra. They can help you if you want to get started! Just send me a message if you want more information.
Essential Oils
You can use oils for virtually everything. This guide got me started on how and when to use essential oils. There’s an oil or a combination of oils to do many things. They replace most of your medicine cabinet, can be used in the kitchen, and provide enhanced health and beauty. The benefit of diffusing essential oils is that you can purify the air, eliminate odors, and engage in aromatherapy all while having a great scent in your house.
Having a Special Place to Wind Down
Adults need a bedtime routine just like kids do! It doesn’t have to be fancy, but should be consistent to signal your brain that it’s time to go to sleep!
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