Spring cleaning is upon us. It’s time to open the windows, dust off our gardening gloves, and take inventory of what’s in our homes. As we prepare for warmer days ahead, now is a great opportunity to declutter and organize. From stocking up on seasonal produce, to reflecting on your financial goals, spring cleaning goes beyond swapping our winter boots for wide-brimmed hats. A good spring clean involves tapping into all aspects of our well-being. In this guide, you’ll learn about how to spring clean your home. In turn, you’ll benefit from a healthier home and a healthier you.
why It’s important to spring clean
Experts agree: Less clutter yields higher productivity. There is something to be said about a fresh, clear space. Advocates for Feng shui talk about this, too. From a mental health perspective, spring cleaning provides a sense of satisfaction. Which, in turn, can improve your mood. There’s no denying the power of getting organized. It can help lower stress, boost energy levels, and provide mental clarity. Once you remove / donate / sell items you no longer need, your brain has more space to focus on essential decision-making. Last but not least, deep cleaning your home will also remove potential allergens—i.e. dust and pollen. You can read more about how dust affects allergens, here.
swap chemicals for healthier products
Ultimately, it’s less about detoxing and more about making simple swaps to create a healthy, thriving home. On a daily basis, we’re exposed to an exponential number of environmental chemicals—an amount that has steadily increased over the past few decades. From building materials to household products, toxins are present in the air we breathe and the surfaces we touch. Over time, this exposure contributes to things like inflammation, chronic disease, hormonal issues, and other unwanted health conditions. And while we are far less capable of controlling toxins outside our walls, we can consciously choose to remove pollutants within them.
How to spring clean your home
Rather than spend a full weekend tackling your entire home, use this list to clean. The point is to segment; do 15 minutes of cleaning every day. In turn, this will kick start any larger spring cleaning projects you want to tackle. Have an energizing snack, turn on your favorite music, and get cleaning. Keep in mind that what you’re using to clean matters. Using a non-toxic household cleaner is better for your home, your health, and the environment. A few of my favorite cleaners are Puracy and Dr. Bronner’s. Speaking of eco-friendly cleaning, you can swap your paper towels for Swedish dishcloths and your sponges (which harbor unnecessary bacteria) for this bamboo scrubber set.
The power of fresh air
Now’s the time to open your windows (hopefully, you keep them cracked year-round). Fresh air flow prevents mold and humidity from forming, removes dusty, stale air, and even encourages higher serotonin levels. Fresh air is a beautiful thing. Another way to remove toxins from your air is to change your furnace and air conditioner filters. If you have AC, you can change this filter every month (or up to every six months). A good rule of thumb for your furnace: change it when it’s visibly dirty. Speaking of fresh air, say sayonara to artificial air fresheners and scented candles made of paraffin wax. Unfortunately, most candles are made of paraffin wax—a type that leaches toxic chemicals into the air. When in doubt, choose candles made of soy wax and beeswax. I love Otherland candles. Diffused essential oils are a great alternative, too.
ToSs Your Plastics
Take a look at your tupperware and storage bags. Do you have mostly plastics? Use a lot of saran wrap? Specifically, see if your plastics are marked with a number 7. If so, they contain BPA. BPA is a xenoestrogen—a known endocrine disruptor—which can wreak havoc on hormones. BPA can also live in the lining of cans, so when possible, opt for cans that specify they aren’t lined with it. Thankfully, from Stasher Bags and glass mason jars, to silicone can covers and beeswax wrap, eco-friendly alternatives are endless.
add plants
Beyond adding color and beauty to your space, most indoor plants absorb toxins from the air. They’ll all increase humidity and produce oxygen in your home, too. The Sill is my favorite online store to shop plants and pots. That said, an alternative way to ‘shop’ for your plants. Whether placing them in your bedroom or kitchen, there are plenty of low light plants that thrive in various rooms and living spaces. Speaking of the bedroom, switching to organic bedding / mattress is another way to spring clean your house. Not only is organic bedding better for the environment (no synthetic chemicals or pesticides are used), but it’s safer on your skin and tends to be much softer than its conventional counterpart.
drink clean water
Part of how to spring clean your home means taking inventory of your water. No surprise here, but the best way to remove unnecessary contaminants from your tap is with a water filter. While we have a Berkey—and love it—it’s much higher on the price scale. In the very least, removing lead with a cost-effective filter is ideal. There are a variety of options, from fridge filters to pitchers, and you can even add one to your shower head. This will remove chemicals, like chlorine, as you rinse off. .
Last but not least, No shoes in the house
If you aren’t doing this already, implement a “no shoes” rule. For the shoes you wear most often, leave them by your front door (or store them away in a hallway closet). No need to leave a trail of germs. Once you’ve spring cleaned your home, this is the easiest way to keep your space detoxed.
Images courtesy of Unsplash.
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Thank you for supporting Wellness with Edie! This article is for informational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and we recommend that you always consult with your healthcare provider.
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