I love a clean house, but I really hate to clean it.
Raise your hand if you can identify.
I mean, who wakes up in the morning eager to scrub the toilet or mop the floor? I know there are some of you out there who take great pleasure in making dirty things clean. If you ever run out of things to do, you’re always welcome in my house. There’s never a shortage of muddy boots and dog hair.
For those of you who hire someone to clean your house, I applaud you. I’m also a little jealous, but cleaning is good for me. I totally count it as exercise. #don’tjudge
This fall, I downloaded the Think Dirty App and started scanning items we use everyday – handsoap, dishsoap, lotions, etc. If you’re not familiar with the Think Dirty App, go download it. It’s free. You can scan beauty and cleaning supplies and the app will tell you the level of toxicity in that item. Prepare yourself to be horrified.
I’ve used “green” products off and on for years, but when I moved to Virginia, I had a hard time finding the brands of cleaners I’d used in the past, so I went back to the available basics, like Softsoap, Clorox Wipes, etc. While I knew that cleaning products are toxic, I didn’t realize how many items contain ingredients that have reproductive toxicity. The Think Dirty App educated me, and once you know, there’s no forgetting.
Since I want grandchildren (some day far in the future…my kids are still teenagers), I needed to make a change.
I didn’t immediately throw everything away, although I did consider it. As we used things up, I just found better replacements for those items. My home is far from being toxic free, and I know there’s more I can do, but baby steps. I’m of the opinion that doing something, even if it’s small, is better than doing nothing. This coming from the girl who ate Cup O’ Noodle for lunch. I have a long way to go.
Pictured above are some of the better choices I’m making for my home and my family. I love how each of these products work and smell!
Mrs. Meyers products may be my absolute favorite. I use Mrs. Meyers dish soap, hand soap, all purpose cleaner, hand lotion, and dryer sheets. Did you know your dryer sheets are some of the most toxic items in your home? I know, who would ever have thought!?!
As much as I hate to clean, Mrs. Meyers almost makes me like it. I find myself spraying down my kitchen counters much more often, because I just adore the smell of the all-purpose cleaner. Also, the flu is going around and I’m a bit of a germophobe. Radish is my current favorite scent.
I recently joined Grove Collaborative. They carry a wide variety of Mrs. Meyers products, along with other good all natural cleaning choices. They ship everything right to your door and you get freebies. This month I got a really pretty red striped hand towel for free with my purchase. I love the products and the ease of having them automatically delivered. I can also buy large bottles of refills for the handsoap and concentrate all-purpose cleaner. It totally makes sense for my life, besides my Walmart doesn’t carry Mrs. Meyers, so I’d have to make extra trips to stores that are very far from local in order to find these products. I’d definitely recommend Grove for your cleaning products. And, yes, that’s a referral link I’ve included. If you sign up, you get $10 and I get $10. (Full disclosure.)
I also ordered the Method brand floor cleaner from Grove Collaborative and I love it. It’s easy to use, smells like almonds, and works wonderfully on my hardwood floors. I use a Swiffer Wet Jet to mop, and while I love my Wet Jet, the cleaner isn’t good for pets, it leaves a residue, and constantly buying disposable pads and the cleaner is pricey. I wanted to find an alternative that kept mopping the floors easy (remember I don’t like to clean), but produced less waste. I found these washable Wet Jet pads on Amazon (not an affiliate link), and I LOVE them. You can throw them right in the washer and dryer. They are super-absorbent and do a great job on my floors.
I also use Thieves cleaner from Young Living (affiliate link). I bought a bottle of concentrate for around $22 and that one bottle makes like 28 (give or take) spray bottles full of cleanser. I am a huge advocate of Thieves Oil (another story for another day) and was excited to try the cleaner. I like the smell, but my kids don’t love it. What I do love is that the fumes aren’t toxic! It also works really well. I use it on everything in my bathroom, from the shower to the inside and outside of the toilet and everything in-between. You can also add some white vinegar to the mixture. I’m not a fan of the smell of vinegar, but it works. I like it better than Scrubbing Bubbles on my shower.
If you’re not familiar with Young Living, it’s an essential oil company. I know essential oils are a big fad right now, but I’m a convert. I don’t think they can end all sickness or anything, but I think they help our body systems function well, like vitamins.
Thieves cleaner is definitely worth the price.
These are some of the better choices we’ve made for our home and family. Making better choices is an ongoing struggle and learning experience. We are far from being good examples, but I do believe our lives are made up of small choices, so the more good choices we make the better.
My word for the year is GROW, and I really want to see personal growth in all areas of my life, from the little things to big things. If I can educate myself and start making better choices for myself, my home, and my family, I am happy for the growth, no matter how small. Maybe tomorrow I’ll choose to eat something for lunch that includes real vegetables and not just dehydrated carrot bits.
Baby steps…
How about you? Do you have any favorite cleaners??
Wow, Tricia! I’m so excited that you discovered natural cleaners! It’s wonderful that you have started to protect your family from toxins. Hope to chat with you soon!