Jeremy and I have spent the better portion of June trading off being sick. A head cold here, allergies there, bronchitis, fevers, sneezes, you name it, we’re over it. I’m ready to start off July on a lighter, healthier note and so I’ve spent the day doing some deep, deep cleaning to run off any lingering dust bunnies and negative vibes that might be hiding in the nooks and crannies of our home.
As I mentioned a couple of months ago, I’ve gradually been phasing out the harsher products in our cleaning arsenal for more natural and eco-friendly options – though I’m still not 100% of the way there, as I still occasionally turn to tougher cleaners to cut through an extra-grimy situation here and there. In any case, I can’t begin to express how wonderful this transition has been, for multiple reasons.
For one, I’m saving money. Initially, I was concerned about the cost of opting for higher-priced “all natural” products. However, since I’ve been able to cut out certain cleaners entirely and replace them with products I already have on hand, and because the products I do buy have multiple uses, I haven’t noticed a spike in our household cleaning budget whatsoever.
Additionally, I feel healthier while I clean. Have you ever been scrubbing away at the tub and been overwhelmed at the smell of chemicals in such an enclosed space? It can really start to mess with your head! Using more natural products, I’m actually able to breathe while I work. As an added bonus, there are no lingering, eye-watering chemical smells to try to shoo out with fans and open windows afterwards!
It’s also nice to not have to worry about Rosie’s little paws running through still-wet, chemical-washed floors or her accidentally running through the mist of a harsh spray-cleaner while I work, or setting off J’s asthma, or ruining any of my clothes by accident!
Here are some of my favorite natural, organic, and eco-friendly cleaning products lately.
Zum Clean Counter Spray
I use the Frankincense & Myrrh to wipe down everything from countertops to the stovetop, to sinks and the inside of the fridge. And if I could, I’d keep spraying all day long because it smells divine! | $11.75 at Indigo Wild
Mrs. Meyer’s Dish & Hand Soap
It’s so calming after tackling a dirty project (or dirtying lots of dishes) to wash up with any of Mrs. Meyer’s soaps. They all leave my skin smelling of a lovely garden scent. My favorites so far have been Basil, Rosemary, Gardenia, and most recently, Peony! | $3.99 and up at Target
Norwex Microfiber Cloths
My mom and I each snagged a set of Norwex’s antibacterial microfiber cloths a couple of years ago at the Fort Wayne Home & Garden Show. I use them weekly – sometimes every few days – and they’re still holding up strong!
I simply wet down the yellow one and wipe any and every surface that needs a good cleaning – the vanity, mirrors, windows, shelving, baseboards, and so on. Then I’ll use the purple one to dry off and “shine” anything that I don’t want left streaky (glass, hardware, etc.) Once a week or so, I’ll toss them in the wash and they’re ready to go again! | Various prices at Norwex USA
Distilled White Vinegar
Vinegar has been such a savior when it comes to cleaning our home! I regularly use it in place of bleach, clean the dishwasher and laundry washer with it, use it along with baking soda to unclog our drains, and more!
Lemon
Lemon is also a bit of a miracle worker! I’ll scrub our cutting boards clean with them, use them to freshen the air, and run them through our garbage disposal from time to time to kill off any lingering stenches.
Olive Oil
Most of our furniture is thrifted, and so, naturally, none of it is in perfect shape! After dusting, I’ll occasionally run a dab of olive oil over any spots or scuffs or stains to get it looking like new again.
Essential Oils
I love adding a few drops of essential oil – especially thieves blends, peppermint, and frankincense – to cleaning solutions made from soapy water or vinegar. I’ll also add a few drops into a spray bottle full of water to spray on linens or simply to freshen the air. I haven’t totally committed to an essential oils brand just yet as I’m pretty new to them. Suggestions welcome!
Method Squirt + Mop Wood Floor Cleaner
You guys. I admittedly don’t wipe down our hardwood floors enough, but when it’s floor cleaning day, I’m always so excited about it because our entire home smells like almonds when I’m done! This stuff is magic in a bottle and I can’t get enough. Obviously, it smells great, but it also leaves our floors super shiny without making them slick. | $4.99 at Target
Mrs. Meyer’s Laundry Detergent & Fabric Softener
I’m really hoping to make a batch of my own laundry detergent soon, but for now I’ve been loving Mrs. Meyer’s products (I also use Zum’s, when I can find it locally!) We’ve been slipping in to shirts and socks and snuggling into sheets and blankets that smell of lavender the past couple of months and it’s been heavenly. | $7.99 and up at Target
Zum Mist Air Freshener
I love nothing more than topping off a thorough cleaning with a few spritzes of this stuff in each room. It’s like a little reward that I look forward to each time, as it signals, “Hurrah! You’re done! Now go sink into the couch with a glass of wine and have a long, well-deserved nap.” | $10.95 at Indigo Wild
What are your favorite natural cleaning products and your best cleaning tips?
xo, Aly
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