Spring is here! The weather is finally warming up. And it’s time to bring a much needed refresh into our homes. These tips (and free spring cleaning checklist) are designed to help you rejuvenate your home and feel excited in the process. I love having a clean home, but sometimes the actual process of cleaning is daunting and tedious. I get it! Between the mud tracked in by…all of us… and the fur fluttering on every surface from the dogs, the house needs constant upkeep. BUT! Cleaning has wonderful potential to be enjoyable. So let’s walk through my natural spring cleaning tips for both your home and for yourself. (Note, this is not a post to get you to buy anything!)
Why Natural Cleaning?
If you spent 30 minutes researching what toxins and chemicals are in your cleaning products and what they do to our bodies, you’d be convinced to throw them out and replace them with natural products. These toxins and chemicals are harmful to our bodies. Afterall, they’re designed to kill. Toxins and chemicals found in our everyday cleaners can cause respiratory issues; irritations to our skin, eyes, and throat; damage to our central nervous system; and so much more.
Using natural products is not only safe, but simple. There are two different paths to take: DIYing your own cleaning products or buying natural cleaning products. Making your own cleaners helps you know exactly what your cleaners contain and is relatively inexpensive. However, this option is more time consuming to put together. Buying pre-made natural cleaners saves you time but not always money. However, there are some great natural brands that won’t hurt your wallet (I will share some later).
Chemicals and Toxins to Ditch
Regardless of whether you buy or DIY, you will still need to make sure the products you’re buying are safe! Many companies and products will say “natural,” “green,” or “organic” on their labels but still contain harmful toxins and chemicals. Here is a list of chemicals and toxins to watch out for:
-Phthalates – Labeled as: dibutyl phthalate (DBP), di-2-Ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), diethyl phthalate (DEP)
-Parabens – Labeled as: methylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, isobutylparaben
-Formaldehyde – Labeled as: benzylhemiformal, diazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin, imidzaolidinyl urea, quaternium-15, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, formaldehyde resin
-Triclosan – Labeled as: triclosan, triclocarban
-Fragrance/Parfum
-Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) – Labeled as: sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium laureth sulfate (SLES)
-Perchloroethylene/PERC
-Ammonia
-Quaternary Ammonium Compounds – Labeled as: “Antibacterial,” Benzalkonium chloride, Benzethonium chloride, Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chlorides (C12-16), Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (C14 60%, C16 30%, C12 5%, C18 5%), Alkyl dimethyl ethylbenzyl ammonium chloride (C12-14), Alkyl dimethyl ethylbenzyl ammonium chlorides (C12-18), Didecyldimethylammonium chloride, Dioctyldimethylammonium chloride
-2-Butoxyethanol
The DIYers Natural Supply List
-Baking soda
-Distilled white vinegar
-Funnel
-Glass spray bottle
-Essential oils (Lemon, Thieves, and Purification are the best oils for cleaning)
-Water
-Wool dryer balls
Best Natural Cleaner Brands
–Young Living (see why I use Young Living products and oils over all others here)
-Seventh Generation (affordable)
-Dr. Bronner’s
Natural Spring Cleaning Tips (designed to help make this process enjoyable)
Tip #1: Open the windows
There’s nothing better than inviting fresh air and warm sunshine in the house when spring cleaning. Filtering the house with fresh air is natural and free! The added sunshine helps boost motivation and brings cheer.
Tip #2: Use essential oils that you and your household love
If you’re using diy cleaning recipes, there are oils that you really should use to get a good, deep clean such as lemon, thieves, and purification. But you don’t have to stop there! Add in your favorite essential oils where you want. Fill your home with refreshing scents throughout the entire house with diffusers, diy sprays, and wool dryer balls.
Tip #3: Take full advantage of your washer and dryer
I am so thankful that we live in a time with helpful machinery, praise the Lord! At the bottom of this post is a thorough cleaning checklist for each room of the house. You’re more than welcome to wash everything by hand, but I like to take full advantage of my washer and dryer. Use these wonderful tools around your home to make your cleaning easier!
Tip #4: Declutter your home
Take this cleaning time to get rid of junk! Less is so much more in this situation. Decluttering your home helps to clean some places that desperately need attention while opening up areas to give breath to a room. Think of clutter as choking your home. If you haven’t used an item in over a year, get rid of it. If you’re keeping something because “I might use it one day,” get rid of it. Better yet, try selling it!
Tip #5: Organize
You’re cleaning, you’re decluttering, why not organize as you go? Organize the spices and dishes in your cabinets. Organize your dresser drawers. Organize your bathroom shelf and counter. And get rid of what you don’t use anymore.
Tip #6: Use gloves
Even though we’re using natural cleaning products, gloves make it easier to shove your hand in something gross or to touch unknown nasties. I have found that when I clean with gloves on, I’m more likely to clean deeper than if my hands are exposed.
Tip #7: Put winter clothes away and bring out your spring/summer clothes
Get yourself excited to clean and organize by putting away winter items and bringing out spring/summer items.
Tip #8: Buy flowers
Keep the fresh air alive after spring cleaning by getting pretty flowers to place on a table.
Tip #9: There’s nothing baking soda, vinegar, and/or Thieves Household Cleaner can’t clean
Use baking soda mixed with Thieves Household Cleaner (or distilled white vinegar + lemon essential oil if you don’t have Thieves Household Cleaner) to clean grease, grime, soap residue, and hard to clean surfaces.
Use diluted Thieves Household Cleaner to clean surfaces, windows/mirrors, and doors. Add distilled white vinegar for floors and windows (if getting streaks).
Tip #10: Use lemon essential oil in your microwave
In a bowl of water place a few drops of lemon essential oil and put it in the microwave for a few minutes. It’s now easier to wipe down and clean. And as an added bonus, it makes the house smell AMAZING!
Tip #11: Use wool dryer balls
Wool dryer balls effectively replace dryer sheets that contain harsh toxins and chemicals. Add 2-4 drops of your favorite essential oils to a dryer ball and throw in the dryer when running.
Tip #12: Freshen your fridge with baking soda and Purification essential oil
Keep a box of baking soda in your fridge and a small bowl of water and Purification essential oil to help eliminate unwanted odors in your fridge.
Tip #13: Got pets? Use Purification!
Pets make the house smell. Purification essential oil helps eliminate their odors. DIY your own Purification spray to spray on carpets, furniture, and as an air freshener.
Tip #14: Put on energetic music
Make your cleaning enjoyable by listening to upbeat and energetic music!
Tip #15: Get help
You don’t have to clean the entire house yourself. Recruit your husband, roommates, kids, or whoever to help you clean your house and make a good time out of it!
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Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be a mundane and tiresome obligation. You have the ability to make it enjoyable, both in the process and in the results.
Apply these natural spring cleaning tips above to create a clean and safe environment for your home, using natural products while having fun! Know that cleaning naturally doesn’t have to be expensive and is surprisingly simple.
As you’re cleaning, think of this verse: “and whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17). Use your spring cleaning to work hard for the Lord, giving Him thanks for a home to clean.
To help you in your cleaning process, I’ve created a free natural spring cleaning checklist for you.
To access the free Natural Spring Cleaning Checklist…
Simply CLICK HERE if you’ve already subscribed (you’ll need the password… check your welcome email or the most recent email for the password if you missed it) OR enter your email address below to receive it in your inbox in just a few moments!
Happy cleaning!
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January 22, 2023
I’m one of your readers and I always wanted to start my own Cleaning Service. This is a really great reference that I can always look into.