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Since becoming a mom two things have become very clear to me: First, is that in order to best protect my children I want to limit the amount of chemicals they are exposed to; the Second, is that my house will never truly be clean — there will simply always be toys and clothes and whatnot.
So I’m sharing the (very realistic, busy mom,) eco-friendly tips I use for cleaning our home:
- Use cloths instead of paper towels and sponges. Sponges hold in all kinds of bacteria; and paper towels are just wasteful. So over the last year we’ve opted for EnviroCloths. They’re environmentally friendly and they don’t hold on to germs like sponges.
- Open those windows! As soon as the weather breaks, I air our house out from all of the stale air of the Winter months. It’s inevitable that at some point over the Winter we’re all sick (and this year it was a lot of the stomach bug — ugh!). So it helps to just air everything out.
- We clean with Bona free & simple products. They are specially formulated to be both effective and safe. I recently used the Bona free & simple Hardwood Floor Cleaner to help a dear friend clean the floors of her brand new home. The hypoallergenic formula is certified allergy and asthma friendly (and safe for their new puppy!) and removes of 93.3% of allergens from the surface of the floor.
- Declutter one tiny space at a time. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to clean every space of your home in one day, one week, or heck, even one month! Declutter, sort, and create piles for organizing, piles for donation, and piles for trash.
- Keep your home smelling fresh naturally. We use essential oils and diffusers in nearly every room. It’s easy, cost-effective, and safe for everyone!
- Bonus tip! I try to schedule mini-“purge” sessions throughout the year by going through a room every few months and deciding if what occupies it is truly necessary — that goes for clothes, toys, kitchen items (like those awful plastic cups!), and more!
Tell me — what’s your favorite way to Spring clean? And then head on over to the Bona website to sign up for a $3 off coupon so you can clean your house safe and effectively, too!
And remember, life is meant to be enjoyed. So don’t stress over the toys — they will only be little for a short period of time. Let them play in the organized chaos that is life.
These are fantastic tips! I have been spring cleaning this weekend–so will definitely try some of these out!
Really great tips! I just started last week so this is perfect timing!
I’m going to look for the Bona hardwood cleaner today. About 1/3 of our house has hardwood floors and cleaning them has been a task I don’t love. I also love Murphys Oil Soap for a wood cleaner on furniture or woodwork.
I haven’t tried Bona cleaners yet. I usually use Murphy’s Oil Soap to clean my hardwood floors. But I’m always up for trying a new, healthier option. Thanks for sharing!
We’re tackling one area for an April-long decluttering challenge. It’s really making a difference! Great post!
Love these! Sounds like spring cleaning I can get behind.
As soon as the weather starts to get warmer, those windows go open! I love having fresh air in the house!
I love fresh air and quick cleaning tips. Thanks!
I will have to check out Bona. We have hardwood floors, and they are a pain to keep clean.
Let me add one suggestion – Swiffer-type system – but don’t use Swiffer themselves – they’re putting chemicals in the cloths – CVS brand is chemical-free (trust me on this one 😀 )
Oooh! Good to know!!!
yes! opening the windows and using essential oils is a MUST whenever I spring/deep clean.
Maybe my mom instilled super immigrant values in me but i NEVER use paper towels because as you said, they’re wasteful! So I use old TShirts, to clean the floor. 🙂 It still does the job and when its absolutely disgusting and rotting away – I just throw it away. I don’t know if I’m helping the environment any haha but that’s how I grew up!
I love spring cleaning. I haven’t heard of Bona, but I want to check them out. Always looking for eco friendly products.
Great tips, I love the sponge idea never thought about not using is as much. I also love the windows.. we open them whenever we can and like to get rid of the winter germs! Thanks for sharing.
Love these tips! I hate sponges too and we use cloth to clean and dust. It feels so much less wasteful to me than throwing so many paper towels away (although the extra laundry is kind of a bummer).
I haven’t heard of this cleaner! Great tips! I’m all for simple cleaning (or anything) tips!
I’ve seen Bona at the store, but haven’t purchased it…until now! You’ve convinced me. I usually just clean our house with vinegar, but a mama’s nose can only take so much 😉
I didn’t know about this brand before! I definitely thing it’s important to be aware of the chemicals and ingredients we use when cleaning our homes–good to know that this brand is out there!
These are awesome tips for busy moms. I just recently switched to mainly cloth it makes cleaning easier and faster. I can just toss them in the wash.
Such great tips!!! I have the same goals, and love your list 🙂
I have been on a spring cleaning kick lately and I always try to use safer products. Thanks for these tips!
I love opening up the windows and airing out the house, it’s always the best feeling. And yeah, sponges are so gross, I stopped using them awhile ago and switched to rags. I’ll have to check out what you suggested!
I have so many goals to tackle getting organized and it always seems like I make such slow progress. It’s good to remember to do one small thing at a time.
My mom taught me to clean using clothes – I wouldn’t even know HOW to best use a sponge in comparison – haha!
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