It’s time for spring cleaning! You wouldn’t know it in Minnesota – it’s currently snowing outside on April 10th – yikes.  But spring is on the way and a great time to create a toxin-free home.

How does a home detox fit in with a blog about healthy living? Here’s why – one of the primary causes of inflammation and cancer is environmental toxins. In fact, 90-95% of cancer is rooted in environment and lifestyle. Here are some easy ideas for creating a toxin-free home by replacing chemical cleaners with natural products.

Homemade Cleaning Products

One of the first things I notice when I walk into a home is the scent of chemical cleaner. When you smell cleaner, you’re inhaling chemicals. Those chemicals get in your cells and cause damage, then your body needs to repair the damage plus eliminate the toxins. With repeated exposure to chemicals, your body reaches chronic inflammation because it’s  constantly in a state of repair.

Spring Cleaning Checklist for a Non-Toxic Home

1. Open the Windows

I can’t wait to open the windows in spring to get that fresh clean air inside! Indoor air has higher concentrations of toxins than outdoor air because there’s nowhere for the toxins to go. One of the most common toxins in homes  is called VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s). VOCs include a variety of chemicals, that may cause health problems.

• Where to Find VOC’s: You find these in aerosols, cleaning products, paint strippers, air fresheners, dry-cleaned clothes, disinfectants, pesticides, and more.
• Health Effects May Include: eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches and nausea, central nervous system, liver and kidney damage, and has been shown to cause cancer in animals, suspected in humans.

To restore pure air, diffuse an air cleaning essential oil like Purify or Breathe and switch to natural products like the examples that are coming up.

2. Dust Your Home & Wooden Furniture

DIY Wood Dusting Spray 

Pour all ingredients starting with the water and vinegar in a 12 oz amber glass spray bottle (recommended for essential oils). Mist onto wood and wipe dry with clean soft cloth to eliminate dust. If more shine is desired, you can rub in a bit of straight up coconut oil and buff to shine.

• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 3 T olive or sunflower oil
• 10 drops lemon essential oil
• 5 drops cedarwood or sandalwood essential oil *optional (I love the spring-clean scent of cedarwood)

Best Store Bought Dusting Spray: Eco-Me Natural Wood Cleaner & Polish

Toxicity Avoided: Pledge is rated a C+ on EWG’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning primarily due to skin irritation, allergies and toxicity from the artificial fragrance. The EWG is a non-profit dedicated to protecting human health by unveiling what’s really in our food, air, soil, water, products and more. You can check the ratings of the products you use at their website.

3. Clean and Scrub all Floors

Hint of Spring Floor Cleaner

This floor cleaner works great for wood floors, laminate, tile and vinyl.  On every type of floor, it leaves a streak free, shiny floor. Even better, it’s easy to make and non-toxic.

• Fill a 24 oz Kerr Jar with 2 cups distilled water
• Add 1 cup liquid Castile soap
• Add 35 drops lemongrass
• 20 drops cypress
• 15 drops bergamot

4. Disinfect Bathroom Sinks, Vanities & Toilets & Clean Bathroom Showers

Clean Living Disinfectant

Use this DIY disinfectant on bathroom faucets, vanities, showers and toilets. First, you put all the ingredients in a 12 oz amber glass spray bottle then shake it up.  You can use a small funnel to put in the baking soda.

• 1 – 1 1/4 cup hot water
• ¼ cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup vodka
• I love this natural scrub for 10 drops melaleuca essential oil
• 5 drops eucalyptus essential oil (optional)
• 10 drops lavender essential oil (optional)
• 5 drops rosemary essential oil (optional)

All Natural “Soft Scrub” 

This scrub is great for kitchen sinks, stovetops, bathroom showers and toilets. It’s nothing but a paste made from baking soda and water or Castile soap. To make this start with a glass jar or bowl:

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1/4 cup water or Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap (one or the other, not both)
• Optional: 15 drops essential oils (lemon, orange, lemongrass and grapefruit all make nice clean scents)

“Spring is in the Air” Natural Air Freshener

The perfect all-natural spray for a bathroom or any other room where you need an instant air freshener. Fill 4 oz spray bottle with distilled or tap water almost with some room at the top and add the following:

• 2 tsp vodka
• Scent options:
  • 10 drops each – wild orange/cinnamon bark + 5 drops clove
  • 10 drops – peppermint/rosemary OR
  • 20 drops lemon/10 drops spearmint
  • 10 drops each – rosemary/eucalyptus/peppermint + 5 drops lemongrass
  • 10-15 drops each – tangerine/lemon/peppermint or spearmint

5. Scrub Kitchen Sink, Faucet & Appliances

Homemade Natural Granite Cleaner

It’s best to check with the manufacturer of your countertops before you use any cleaner but this recipe works well for granite and other natural stone countertops. Fill a 12 oz amber glass spray bottle with:

DIY Dish Soap

Fill a clear amber glass container with a pump dispenser with the dish soap.

• 1 cup all natural dish soap (ECOS is great)
• Scent options:
  • 15 drops lemon/15 drops lavender
  • lemon/clove
  • peppermint/eucalyptus/wild orange
  • rosemary/clove/orange
  • lemon/peppermint/lavender

My favorites are the “DIY Counter Spray/Granite Cleaner” that I use daily on my kitchen counters, the All Natural “Soft Scrub” and “Clean Living Disinfectant”. Keep in mind, you can also to the EWG website to look for toxin free cleaners you can buy if DIY is not your thing!

Happy Spring!