Spring Cleaning: Good For Your Health!
A good spring-cleaning can go a long way toward promoting good health, and potentially a longer life.
Spring cleaning can be something that motivates you to clean areas that often get overlooked. Not only does spring cleaning help your home sparking and shine, it’s also a good for your health, even if you dislike cleaning in general.
Most of our homes are filled with untold amounts of dust, mildew, mold, toxic chemicals, and other substances that can compromise our health, and we don’t even know it. Here’s quick primer on a few areas where a little attention can go a long way toward safeguarding your and your family’s health and well-being as you preform as spring cleaning.
Remove Dust
Thoroughly dust all of the furniture in your home. Wipe wood surfaces down with a natural furniture polish, vacuum rugs and upholstery, and wash draperies, pillows, throw rugs, and anything else that’s small enough to fit in your washing machine. Be sure to clean or replace filters in air conditioners and furnaces, and clean all ducts and vents to improve the air quality in your home. Dust and pollen are major irritants that can lead to respiratory problems for those with allergies and/or asthma.
Bathroom, Kitchen, Laundry Room
Spring is a good time to check rooms in your home with running water and carefully clean any mold and mildew using non-toxic cleaning products. Dust, mold, and mildew can trigger allergic reactions and respiratory distress.
Medicine Cabinet
Get rid of any prescriptions or other medications that are expired or no longer in use. Don’t throw them in the garbage, where they could end up in the water supply. Instead, contact your local pharmacy to find out when and where to dispose of old medications in your community. Pharmacies, hospitals, police stations, and town hall buildings often offer free medication take-back services for safe disposal.
Garage, Basement, Attic
Check for old paint cans, turpentine, solvents, cleaning products, batteries, and other noxious and potentially toxic items that you have no use for. Contact your local public works department to find out where to drop off this hazardous waste.
While you’re at it, take this time to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Batteries should be changed once a year to prevent failure, and what better time than during a good old-fashioned spring cleaning?
Looking for natural cleaners? Try these ideas using products found in your pantry!
Now, throw open the windows, let in some fresh air, and take a long, deep breath. Don’t you feel healthier already?
Jaime McLeod
Jaime McLeod is a longtime journalist who has written for a wide variety of newspapers, magazines, and websites, including MTV.com. She enjoys the outdoors, growing and eating organic food, and is interested in all aspects of natural wellness.
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Jaime McLeod#molongui-disabled-link
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Jaime McLeod#molongui-disabled-link
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Jaime McLeod#molongui-disabled-link
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Jaime McLeod#molongui-disabled-link
I was amazed at how much dust sticks to my walls! Wish someone would invent an attachment designed specifically for painted walls, and Lord, what to do with spackled ceilings??? That tiny little round bristle brush is fine for the corners, but when you’ve got entire ceilings that need it…what a job.
I love this article! You will love my prairie rain spring cleaning floor wash, carpet wash and all-purpose cleaner (it’s just one item) in unscented or lavendar. Safe for everyone and you will never want to use anything else, once you have tried it. Just type in The Soap Smither and you will find me. Thank you so much.
When using air conditioners or heat pumps. Clean the air you are breathing inside your home by placing a small bottle of tea tree oil upside down on your filter once a month. If you would like more info on other natural, safe and effective products you can use. Contact me, I would love to help.