It is officially Spring which means Spring Cleaning is in FULL FORCE. I have 5 tips to help make your Spring cleaning a breeze while helping you "breath easy".
1. Make Space. Before you begin Spring cleaning-remove the old. Are there items you do not use? Things hanging around that do not bring you joy or have a purpose? Have you not been listening to Marie Kondo?? LOL Take inventory and release those unneeded items. You could choose to hold a garage sale or donate to those in need, etc. just release and make space. #ClearTheClutter
2. Team work makes the dream work. Get the family involved. Assign age appropriate chores, turn on the tunes and celebrate with a family reward like dinner out, ice cream (too soon??) or something fun. This helps teach kids to take responsibility and that hard work pays off while easing the burden on YOU.
3. Keep cleaning products to a minimum & use non-toxic cleaner. Vinegar and baking soda are two must haves in my home for "green" cleaning DIY's (If you want my cheat sheet of recipes-reply to this message and I will send to you)
Not into DIY?? Find a multi-purpose cleaner that can handle all the things-BONUS points if it is SAFE for your family & the environment (more on that in a few).
4. Add in air purifying plants. Bamboo is said to remove formaldehyde and act as a humidifier. Snake plants are said to absorb both nitrogen oxides & formaldehyde, Peace lilies are often placed in bathrooms or laundry rooms because they are know for removing mold spores. Gerber daisies have been said to remove benzene from the air and the internet tells me they can improve sleep by absorbing carbon dioxide and giving off more oxygen at night.
5. Use reusable cloths and tools. Use mops with washable pads instead of throw away ones, instead of paper towels-use clothes from old t-shits, instead of polyester sponges infused with triclosan, use biodegradable clothes like the ones I found HERE.
BONUS TIP: Also worthy of throwing in here is I recommend dusting with a damp cloth-not a dry cloth. Dry dusting releases particles back into the air and a damp cloth will collect those particles.
How many times have you cleaned and start coughing, sneezing and hacking because of the chemical nastiness of what you are using to clean with??? Take a peek in your cleaning cupboard, how many products do you have? Have you read the labels? Let me guess a BIG X that says poison is on there, Am I Right? Go ahead and look, I'll wait.........
Cleaning your home should not make you sick, nor should it put our environment at risk and NO you do not need chemicals to "really clean" your home!
1. Safety: Have you read the label on the back of a commercial cleaner? Warning! Flammable! Do not ingest! Keep out of reach of children! Many chemicals used in household cleaners have not been tested for safety. Household cleaning supplies are one of the top five substance classes accounting for calls to the National Poison Control Center. Many commercial cleaners contain ingredients that are endocrine disrupting chemicals, carcinogens, or neurotoxins. Kids, babies, and pets are even more vulnerable to chemical exposure because they are smaller and cannot get rid of toxins as easily as adults. It is definitely worth ditching harsh chemicals for a cleaner with plant- and mineral-based ingredients.
2. Air quality: Did you know that indoor air is 5–7 times more polluted than outdoor air? Most cleaning products contain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which have been associated with many health problems, including damage to the liver, kidneys, and the central nervous system. They have also been shown to harm our lungs and cause throat irritations and headaches. VOCs are released when products are used and can linger in the air long after we clean. When we breathe, we inhale the air—as well as whatever is in the air.
3. Environmental impact: Harsh chemicals found in cleaners are not only harmful to our bodies, but they also have a major impact on the environment and are huge contributors to environmental pollution. Some conventional cleaning products contain ingredients that are toxic, non-biodegradable, and from non-renewable resources like petroleum, so they harm the Earth's ecosystems. Harsh chemicals may contaminate the water through rivers, streams, and lakes, which affects wildlife, plants, trees, and us! Plus, there are thousands of chemicals that are in cleaning products that have never been tested for safety.
4. Convenience: It's much easier to clean with a few products that take care of all your cleaning needs, rather than a having whole arsenal of toxic products under your sink and in your bathrooms. With Thieves® Household Cleaner, you can tackle multiple cleaning jobs in your home without switching products as you clean! It cleans countertops, windows, mirrors, floors, toilets, showers, and pretty much everything else. Plus, you don't have to worry about getting bleach stains on your clothes or accidentally mixing dangerous chemicals together. It’s worth a try for the convenience alone.
5. Cost: The cost of buying cleaners is expensive, especially if you have to buy multiple different cleaners. Thieves Household Cleaner is very cost effective, and it comes in a concentrated form. There are approximately 60 capfuls of the cleaner in a 14.4-ounce bottle. Using the medium degreasing ratio, you can get about 29 16-ounce cleaners. That’s less than $1 a bottle!
Why worry about all the "what if’s"?
These are only five of the many reasons to use a plant-based product.
Be empowered and take charge of your chores by using a cleaner with plant-based ingredients.
Spring is here!
Stay on top of your game with this essential oil trio. Below are some simple ways you can get the most out of this seasonal trio and enjoy your time spent outdoors.
Try putting 25 drops of Lavender essential oil, 25 drops of Peppermint essential oil, and 25 drops of Lemon essential oil in an empty roller ball and fill the rest with V-6 Vegetable Oil Complex. For an added kick, add an additional 7–10 drops of Copaiba. Apply the roll-on blend after a day spent outside!
Try diffusing this essential oil combo to keep the air in your home smelling clean, fresh, and free of unwanted odors.
To make the ultimate spring trio bomb, try adding 3 drops of Lavender Vitality, 3 drops of Peppermint Vitality, and 3 drops of Lemon Vitality in a veggie capsule and fill it to the top with a carrier oil. Take this blend 2–3 times a day or as needed. Lavender Vitality supports general wellness and contains cleansing and antioxidant properties. Lemon Vitality has cleansing properties and can support the immune system
We have officially entered Spring! Do you have flowers budding yet?
Here the snow is just about gone and we have daffodils popping up!
It always feels like a breath of fresh air when I can hear the birds singing and see the green grass surfacing. This month we also get to celebrate Easter… even if it may be from a distance. Be sure to break out all your spring diffuser recipes and create an uplifting environment as we travel through these uncharted waters “together.”
Springtime is my FAVORITE season. I enjoy time outdoors and planning/prepping my garden. I enjoy playing in the dirt and not only do I get to share this experience with my kids creating a beautiful bounty from seeds but the grounded-ness that being in the garden brings to me.
Our first garden when we moved to our old farm house-was small yet mighty.Do you garden? I see more and more people talking about starting a garden right now even if they have not in the past-since we are home more this could be a great time to try a small garden or even container gardening a try! Gardening has been shown to reduce stress; create better moods while decreasing cortisol levels, it can support hand strength and dexterity, brain health and growing your own food can help you eat better. I have a garden journal that you can download AND a Gardening with oils class just for YOU.
If you LOVE to garden or are thinking about Gardening I have something special for you. I have a FREE downloadable Garden Journal that you can print and begin using now as well as a FREE 5 day email course on Gardening with Oils. When I began learning about things like GMO's and the dangers of pesticides and such-I began researching and utilizing safe, sustainable practices with my gardening and essential oils are a HUGE part of keeping my garden, my family and our earth safe. It is totally FREE for the taking!
CLICK HERE TO GRAB THE COURSE
Oil of the Month-BergamotThe mood-lifting properties of Bergamot makes it a great addition to your morning routine and to liven up the atmosphere. The sweet and relaxing elements of this oil also make it a great addition to perfumes and colognes. It can be used topically and aromatically. It also comes in a Vitality version, which can be used internally.
Topical Benefits
-May help calm everyday skin irritations
-May reduce the appearance of blemishes
-Has skin-cleansing properties
Note: Bergamot can cause photosensitivity; do not apply it before going into direct sunlight.
Aromatic Benefits
-May help relieve tension during times of occasional stress
-Has a citrus aroma with a floral hint
PRO TIP: Add a few drops of Bergamot to your favorite night cream or toner for additional cleansing properties and a fresh new look.
What do YOU love most about Spring?
Beth
