Winter is a time of rest and rejuvenation and we are likely to be spending more time indoors and more time in our homes.
So although we are probably all familiar with the spring cleaning ritual that we ideally perform when the sun starts to come out and the weather warms up, it is also a good healthy practice to cleanse your home in preparation for this cozy hibernation period.
A Deep Clean Routine coming into winter not only creates a more cozy, inviting and ambient space, but it also cleans up the air that you and your co-habitants breathe by removing dust, grime and toxic residues collected over time on surfaces. Here's how to do it:
THE CLEANZ DEEP CLEAN ROUTINE
Tidy up like a minimalist on a mission
The more clutter you remove the faster the cleaning process will be. Put everything in its place and leave only what belongs. Donate, throw away or put away the rest. Clutter piles are magnets for dust and navigating around them will make your deep cleaning more challenging.
Get vacuuming!
Ideally you will have access to a HEPA vacuum. Grab your vacuum and a ladder and start at the corner farthest from the entrance to whatever room you wish
Starting up high, vacuum all surfaces, ceilings, walls, behind and underneath furniture, lamps and small furnishings.
Finish with the floors as they will catch any dirt and dust etc that falls from above
Wipe EVERYTHING down like you mean it
What you’ll need:
2 buckets of warm water, one with 1 teaspoon of Cleanz Concentrate, 1 for rinsing
Cleanz Concentrate
Sponge mop or microfibre mop
Microfibre cloths (these are the most effective to clean with)
Method:
Dip your mop in the bucket of Cleanz solution and squeeze out as much as possible before mopping over all sections of the ceiling and walls (the surfaces should look damp after wiping but not truly wet)
Always rinse the mop first in the clean water bucket and squeeze out the water (and the dirt, dust, toxins) before re-dipping in the Cleanz solution. Be sure to refresh the rinse bucket when it turns grey
Repeat the same process with your microfibre cloths on trim, corners and all furniture. For any small items and on solid, non-porous items such as ornaments and lamps, spray a clean cloth with All-Purpose and wipe clean.
Finish by thoroughly mopping the floor the same way
Towel Dry … and presto!
Quickly dry off any areas of excess moisture, especially wet spots on walls or the floor.
And that's it! Simply kick back and admire your work :)
There are also a few other things you can do in preparation for and during winter to keep your home and indoor air clean and healthy:
THE WINTER HEALTHY HOME CHECKLIST:
Perform the Cleanz Deep Clean Routine above
Clean out and around your fireplace regularly to prevent fine ash particles hanging in the air
Make sure you have booked your annual chimney sweep for safety and function
Ventilate! Open windows regularly (especially during and after cooking) and clean filter systems
Add some house plants - certain varieties love to drink up toxins like carbon monoxide, ammonia and benzene and some varieties even release oxygen at night, helping you breathe better whilst sleeping. Read 15 Indoor Plants that will Purify the Air in Your Home
Vacuum regularly (HEPA vacuum systems are the most effective) and be sure to include your upholstery like sofas, chairs and cushions. Don’t forget to shake out blankets and rugs too.
Dust and wipe surfaces regularly with a damp microfibre cloth and soap based cleaner
Eliminate synthetic fragrances in your home - instead use naturally distilled essential oils for a fresh scent by adding them to your Cleanz cleaning solutions or use in a diffuser.
Ensure any candles you use are natural beeswax or soy-based - cheap candles can be highly toxic
And remember to keep up with a healthy diet, plenty of exercise and fresh air to maintain a strong immune system and bright happy vibes :)
We all need to be using safe cleaners, however not everything on the store shelf is created equally. Many products contain corrosive, toxic chemicals that might “clean” well but they certainly don’t do much to protect the health of your family. These toxic chemicals can leave residues, especially harmful on food surfaces, and contribute to indoor air pollution – or worse.
Simply put, this term describes the amount of toxins in your body that you are unable to get rid of. What is left is called “toxic burden” or “toxic overload”. Too many toxins in your body at once will overload your system, and can lead to increased inflammation and oxidative stress if you don't reduce your exposure.
