Clean Living: Cleaning Our Home

As I mentioned in my recent Clean Beauty post, I have been cleaning up our home by finding less toxic, more natural ways of living and that includes what we use to clean our home.

My dear friend at Proverbs 31 In Progress has helped so much with me transitioning the things I was using that were more toxic to less toxic, healthier cleaning options. Check out her incredible post on healthy cleaning options, "Detox Your Cleaning Supplies"!

What I am now using in our home:

General:

 All Purpose spray: 

• I will be using either OnGuard concentrate or Thieves concentrate (I plan to have both on hand) OR
• Vinegar and Hydrogen Peroxide as a 2 step process (this is what I am currently using as I wait to order the EO based cleaners)

 Dish soap – I am now using ECOS Free and Clear instead of the Dawn original I have used for years.

 Dishwasher Detergent - Grab Green Pods  (unscented) (and I add a splash of white vinegar to each load because it helps with mineral build-up from hard water.)

 Floors

 I have long loved my Swiffer original mop, but those refillable wet pads are far from non-toxic. So, years ago I ordered microfiber reusable cloths that fit the Swiffer and have been alternating using those with the store bought wet pads. Now, I am using only the reusable microfiber cloths and a 50/50 vinegar/water mixture in a spray bottle for my floors and the occasional deep clean with a traditional spin mop. 

Bathroom: 

Toilet (or other places that have mineral build-up) - Per Thara's advice, I plan to switch to CLR is the BEST cleaner for mineral or rust. For years, I've used what is called Dawn-egar that is a mixture of Dawn original and vinegar. I have since learned the toxicity of Dawn, so will be switching to CLR as our budget allows. 

Mirror - I use the Norwex glass cloth. And also have invested in a more affordable microfiber cloth collection that I'm excited to try - E-Cloth!

I also bought these microfiber cloths to use (4 in the kitchen, 2 for each bathroom):

Counters - I use the Vinegar and Hydrogen Peroxide process mentioned above.  (This is the brand of hydrogen peroxide I bought, though with Coronavirus, it has been harder to find because it is such an effective disinfectant.)

Wipes - I have long been using Clorox cleaning wipes and find the concept so convenient - keeping some in my kitchen and each bathroom. As I clean up our home, I have begun making my own using a cylindrical, air-tight container with a lid, a half roll of paper towels and this mixture:

Ingredients:

1. 1 TBSP almond oil
2. 1 TBSP Dr. Bronner's Baby Unscented Pure Castile Soap
3. 5 to 8 drops of OnGuard or Thieves essential oil
4. 2 Cups boiling hot water

Directions:

1. Boil 2 cups water
2. Place half roll paper towels in cylindrical container
3. In a bowl, mix the almond oil, dr. bronner's castile soap, and essential oil drops 
4. Mix hot water into the oil/soap mixture.
5. Pour water/oil/soap mixture evenly over paper towels.
6. Close cylindrical container and let it sit for 5 minutes.
7. Turn it upside down to sit for another 5 minutes.
8. Turn it right side up and open the container and gently remove the paper towel roll from the center.
9. Wipes are ready to use. 

As you can see, my own transition is still in process. I have used vinegar for a long time, but have also relied a lot on Clorox products. For more thorough information, please see Thara's blog at Proverbs 31 in Progress: Detox Your Cleaning Supplies!