Ways to Detox your Home for the Spring
Home: your indoor sanctuary that has kept you warm and cozy this past winter surely deserves a makeover once spring time comes around. What better way to start spring cleaning than when the birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming, and a burst of fresh air invites you to detox your home from all the harmful dusts, molds, toxins, and debris that have been lingering around your airtight home for months? Get rid of indoor pollution by following some simple steps which should turn your cleaning duties into a no-brainer and get your home sparkling clean in no time!
Working step by step is a popular method that will get you going without feeling drained. If you focus on working one room at a time rather than attempting in getting the whole house done in one day, you will feel less tired and more likely to get the job done without pressure. So put your favourite music on, grab that duster, and start watching your home sparkle under your eyes!
Bathroom
Your bathroom is one of the rooms that needs most care in order to detox. Just think about it: you may use gallons of hair spray there, deodorants, perfumes, and aggressive cleaners. There are so many chemicals in such a small room! Try to invest in products that are kinder to your health and to the planet but that still get the work done. If you are really looking for a cheap, yet gentle way to clean, try to spray your sinks, tubs, and toilets with diluted vinegar or lemon juice left for at least half hour. Once the time is over, scrub and admire!
Mold is also a big problem in bathrooms as their humidity levels make it inviting for it to grow. In order to determine if the humidity levels of your home are too high, invest in a hygrometer. Ideally, the levels should be any where between 30 and 50 percent, more than that and you may need a humidifier to absorb the excessive moisture.
Kitchen
A good inspection of your kitchen starts by checking your range burners. If the flames are orange in colour near the tips, then this may be an indication that carbon monoxide is being released. This may require a call to the manufacturer to check if the burners need fixed. Another problem are the exhaust fans. A filthy mesh filter full of grease will not work efficiently as it should, therefore give it a good rinse in hot water and soap or place it in your dishwasher. Once again, sinks, tiles, floors should be cleaned using gentle products. If you must use products that produce fumes ensure you do so in well ventilated areas.
Bedroom
Because the bedroom is where you sleep, you want to ensure that it is as free of toxins as possible. Your bedroom is where dust mites may linger so try your best to invest in products that kill dust mites or on bedding that helps prevent these mites known to cause allergic reaction from making your bed an ideal home.
Perform some maintenance on your A/C unit to ensure that the filters are in top shape. A bad filter will likely release allergens around your room allowing you to breath unhealthy particles of pollen, spores, and dust. Vacuum your mattress and check for musty smells. If you notice a musty smell, then wash each side with one cup rubbing alcohol and one cup warm water. Allow to dry.
Living Room
Vacuum upholstery, including the backs of sofas and chairs. Wash throw pillows if they are machine washable and wipe down all furniture from dust. Vacuum carpets and air the room if you are not allergic. Clean all curtains and window sills. Try to use gentle products that are free of chemicals. Do a more thorough cleaning if you live with a smoker.
Spring time is also a good time to test your home from radon. Radon is an odourless gas emitted by the soil and that has the potential to cause lung cancer. Tests may be available to test your home for radon. If your home was built before 1978, it would be a good idea as well to test your home for lead paint especially if you have children. And why not check if your fire alarm is in good working order at this time of the year as well? Better take care of all now so then you have ample time to enjoy the mild weather and gorgeous days!
Great tips! I like to use vinegar and newspaper to clean the windows for a streak free shine.
Good one! I have used this too!
We are starting our spring cleaning, organizing and redecorating this week. We still have a long way to go.
Me too!
Thanks for these great tips. 🙂
My pleasure!
Great Spring cleaning tips! Thank you for sharing. I find that diluted vinegar is an amazing cleaner.
Yes, I use it too and it works well!
These are all great tips, my bathroom and bedroom are the worst and the rooms I avoid, I clean them just not as good as I should, I bad!
That sounds like at our house! I eventually get to them!
I use coffee filters for streak free cleaning on windows or mirrors.. Bathrooms are the toughest areas to clean in most homes, if all else fails while you’re scrubbing away at the grout, use some toilet cleaner between those cracks, I hear it works.
I have to try the coffee filters!
Thanks for the cleaning tips now to put them to work I like using vinegar for cleaning
Me too!
I actually look forward to spring cleaning . I love diluted vinegar for cleaning but I’d like to add something to it to make it smell better . Can’t wait to start the garden next .
You can add essential oils like Lavender!
Thank you for the great tips, I also like using vinegar for chemical free cleaning.
So do I!
Baking soda and vinegar is the best way to go with cleaning. Especially with allergies.
I use a lot of vinegar for cleaning