How to Streamline Spring Cleaning and Clear the Air Inside Your Home

Bacteria and viruses are a real threat in today’s world. When choosing how to disinfect and sanitize your home, it’s essential to weigh the risks and benefits of any products before using them. Just take a peek down the cleaning aisles at your local store. So many products claim to kill 99% of bacteria…

Bacteria and viruses are a real threat in today’s world. When choosing how to disinfect and sanitize your home, it’s essential to weigh the risks and benefits of any products before using them. 

Just take a peek down the cleaning aisles at your local store. So many products claim to kill 99% of bacteria and viruses on contact. While it may seem like that’s the whole point of cleaning, killing off all bacteria is like throwing the baby out with the bathwater. 

Without good bacteria, you are actually more likely to get sick! Helpful bacteria support immune function and control inflammation.  Yet some of the chemicals used to kill the harmful germs have no regard for the healthy bacteria that keeps your body working at peak performance. 

Green cleaning is effective and simplifies your supplies. 

The last few years have taught us that proactively protecting ourselves can go a long way toward preventing the spread of illness. However, when using natural products, one of the most common concerns is — “Will a natural product really get the job done?” 

The short answer is yes. You can protect your family from yucky germs without breaking out the bleach and other harmful chemicals. 

The truth is, you really don’t need a separate product for every single task. By whipping up a natural all-purpose disinfectant, you can lighten the load in your cleaning bucket!  

You may be surprised to find that you already have what you need on hand. 

Here’s a quick DIY recipe for a safe all-purpose cleaner that works like a charm. It’s safe to use around your family and pets without concern. Use it on countertops, sinks, windows, floors, and mirrors — (almost) anywhere you would need an all-purpose cleaner in the house. 

Grab a clean spray bottle, vinegar, castile soap, and your favorite essential oils to create a customized cleaner that smells amazing. 

Here’s how to make it:

  • Boil 2 cups of water and add it to your spray bottle
  • Add ¼ cup of vinegar 
  • Pour 1 teaspoon of castile soap in 
  • Add 15-20 drops of essential oil to counteract the vinegar smell 
  • Gently stir until combined 

While white vinegar can be used by itself to clean, many people aren’t crazy about the strong smell — even though it’s totally safe to breathe. By adding essential oils to your bottle, your kitchen will smell fabulous as the solution works to fight bacteria while blasting through grease. 

Fresh air is healthy air.

After simplifying your cleaning products, the next step to a healthier home is to consider the air inside your home. Air quality isn’t just an environmental concern for the great outdoors. 

In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency states that air quality indoors is often more toxic than in a smog-filled city. Poor indoor air quality can have a significant impact on your health.

Need a fast solution for stinky areas? Open your windows! Fresh air is good for your mind and body. It may sound old-fashioned, but once upon a time, airing out your home was considered one of the best ways to fight airborne illnesses. Nurses over a hundred years ago knew that keeping hospitals well-ventilated reduced the airborne diseases that could spread like wildfire in close quarters. Increasing ventilation dramatically improves the indoor air quality of any building. So, when you’re home — let that breeze in! 

Remember, not all odor eliminators are natural. In fact, most sprays only mask odors and can further decrease the quality of the air. Even candles can contain synthetic fragrances and petroleum products that are harmful to inhale.

If you’re concerned about odor or appreciate pleasant smells, your best bet is an oil diffuser or a soy or beeswax candle scented with essential oils (click here to check out what we use to achieve our classic blend). Both will freshen the air without the potentially harmful chemicals.

Clean your air by adding some green.

Houseplants filter carbon dioxide and act as natural humidifiers. While they can’t carry the entire burden of air purification in your home, houseplants can improve your home’s air quality. 

According to NASA scientists, it doesn’t take a jungle to clean the air inside your home. Just one medium-sized plant per room is enough to significantly reduce organic chemicals from the air. 

For easy, low-maintenance options, try a snake or spider plant. Both can be found at big box stores and local nurseries. These air-purifying houseplants require very little light and can be ignored between waterings. We won’t judge.

Doing our part here at Serenity CBD.

Chemicals commonly found in cleaning products have damaging effects beyond your home. Water facilities unable to filter these harsh chemicals send those same chemicals back into our waterways — putting humans and wildlife at risk. 

Realistically, unless you’re interested in going completely off-grid, it’s virtually impossible to live 100% toxin-free 100% of the time. And that’s okay. Even the tiniest changes will keep you healthier and allow you to breathe easier.  Remember that every step towards a healthier you and a healthier planet is a step in the right direction. ♻️

That’s why our packaging is made locally, using 100% recyclable, compostable, and biodegradable materials. We have eliminated approximately 99% of all plastics from our environmentally-conscious packaging and shipping materials. 

At Serenity, we’re committed to doing our part to ensure that we use Mother Nature’s gifts responsibility. Our goal is to pass along education as we learn it ourselves. Let’s work together to care for Mother Earth as she provides and cares for us! 

 

Happy spring cleaning — a gift for you!

In honor of all things spring and fresh, we asked our DIY-er friend Laura to put together a free eBook of “green” cleaning recipes for the anyone interested in making their own cleaning products below. Cleaning doesn’t have to be expensive to be effective. 

Not interested in the added time commitment of making your own products? Don’t worry. We’ve included a few links for those who prefer to support companies committed to the environment — including the products we personally use at Serenity CBD. 

Click here for your Naturally Clean ebook!

We hope you enjoy your free eBook and have a happy spring — from our team at Serenity CBD!