How I Stopped Using Chemicals to Clean My House
When my husband and I moved into our new apartment, I was not overly conscientious about the cleaning products I was using in our home. Busy working two jobs and sharing household chores with my husband, I was paying more attention to my career than how I cleaned my house.
My sister, on the other hand, had moved to a vegan and organic diet. Her new lifestyle now included only products that were labeled “organic” or “chemical-free.” The idea of using chemical-free products did not appeal me to first; I was not giving up using bleach in our bathroom. However, after my husband was diagnosed with severe allergies, his doctor advised us to make drastic reductions in the number of chemicals in our home, and that included cleaning products. I turned to my sister, who gave me excellent, practical advice on using chemical-free products. Able to find many of these products online or in-stores, I eventually began to replace all of my old products with them.
Switching to chemical-free products was a learning curve. To keep myself on track, I made a rule that any products I used should not contain any sort of chemicals or substance that could aggravate my husband’s allergies. It was challenging at first and took a lot of trial and error to find what worked for me, but eventually, I was only using organic or natural products to clean our home. Here's how I did it:
1. Take one step at a time
You do not have to throw the baby out with the bathwater; making a big shift in lifestyle and routine takes time. I was completely unfamiliar with organic products, but between my sister's advice and some online help, I gradually started substituting my trusty old chemical products with all-natural ones. It can be as simple as not replacing the next product you run out of; instead, try to find an organic version, and start from there.
2. Experiment with organic products
It may be hard to believe, but there are just as many natural products out there as there are chemical products; they just don’t have the same marketing. After trying several different brands and types, I found one that worked for me, and I’ve stayed with it ever since. Once I stopped using everything else, we noticed a marked improvement in the condition of my husband’s allergies. That was enough for me!
3. Use homemade disinfectant:
This was a tough one for me, but once I realized how well it worked, I never went back to my chemical disinfectant. Mix tea tree oil with water in a sprayer and use it on everything from the floors and cupboards to tiles and fixtures. Tea tree oil has all of the anti-bacterial properties you need without any of the toxic chemicals.
4. Follow the advice of the experts (or at least “the experienced”)
When I began expressing an interest in organic cleaning products and supplies, many of my friends who had been using them for a while were more than happy to offer me useful guidance and advice, everything from where to purchase something to how much to use. Some even lent me some of their favorite products to try.
Switching to cleaner living doesn’t happen overnight. Start with one thing at a time; as long as you keep moving in the same direction, you will continually be improving your quality of life. I know I did!
Transitioning to a healthier lifestyle, doesn't stop at your body. It includes all of your surroundings and I can help you create an overall natural lifestyle that will better your health. Contact me to make an appointment.
