As I’ve gotten older, I have a new sense of appreciation for tidy and clean spaces. With a toddler that runs around and chews on anything she can put her hands on, the need to have a clean and tidy household has risen twice fold. But of all the things that we all often do to keep our homes clean and tidy. There are a few that I know I sometimes overlook. And even forget altogether.

1. Washing pillows and duvet: Whilst I am adamant about washing my sheets every week. Washing pillows and duvets is a thing I sometimes forget to do. Given that they absorb sweat, dead skin cells and such. It makes sense that they get a good clean every now and then. Which is why I like to clean mine every few months. To do this I like to either leave them outside hanging in the sun. Or actually put them in the washing machine.
2. Replacing toilet brushes: I cannot tell you how often I have been to friends houses and found toilet brushes that have been there for years still hanging around. With the toilet being one of the dirtiest places. It only makes sense that the toilet brush has some of the worst germs. Which is why it is important to replace yours every few mons.
3.  Tooth brushes: I know many of us who are guilt of using our tooth brushes for longer than we should. Experts suggest changing out your tooth brush every three months as the bristles get worn and they can even start to stink.
4. Cleaning tools: As a mom to a toddler, I am often cleaning, sweeping, vacuuming and just generally tidying up. Which means in a week, I tend to use my cleaning tools at least three times. Recently however, after a routine cleanup I noticed that my broom had a ton of hair on it. And my once white duster was an awful grey. Whilst these are relatively new purchases, seeing them in this state reminded me that I need to clean my cleaning tools. Not only does this ensure easier and quicker clean up. But it is also more hygienic.

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As a somewhat professional at home workout junkie. It seems only natural that all spheres of working out and staying fit interest me. Which is why ahead of the week when I was planning my workouts, I started to wonder about my workout gear. That is my workout mat, weights, resistance bands, clothes and anything else I use when working out. Unlike most people, I have been a fan of at home workouts for a while now. After years of working out at a gym, I decided to try some at home workouts when my family and I moved top France. Mainly because the nearest gym was a bus ride away. And whilst I may enjoy getting a workout in everyday. Getting myself pumped for it takes some work. Which is why I didn’t want to have an excuse to not work out. And taking the bus to workout seemed like a recipe for disaster.

With so many workout options for every level and need it seemed like the perfect way to get fit and save money. But with at home workouts comes the dreaded at home cleanouts. Which begs the question, how often should one clean up their gear? Personally I like to clean my mat, weights and all other equipment at least once a week. I do so by mixing vinegar with lemon, lavender or tea tree and water in a spray bottle and wiping everything down.

As for my workout clothes, I love a cute workout outfit. And since I have saved so much money on gym fees, I like to get a couple of cute workout outfits that double as at home lounge wear. For these I like to wear one outfit per workout unless I am doing a very easy workout like yoga and don’t feel the need to. But generally I tend to feel better if I wear my workout gear only once. I then wash them together in one load on a gentle wash with cold water and a splash of white vinegar. The white vinegar I find helps with removing ant sweat from my workout gear. And because most of my workout clothes are made from stretchy fabrics. I have found that a gentle wash makes them last longer.

How often do you wash your workout gear and equipment?

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Marketing is an incredible tool to get us to think we need to buy things to live the lifestyle we aspire. It is very deliberate to make us feel we are missing out or inadequate if we don’t use certain products. No part of our life is left untouched. Including the products we buy to clean our households. We are made to feel our house won’t be clean if we don’t use certain products. Using the wrong detergent will leave our clothes stained. Our bathrooms and ovens won’t shine. The list goes on.

What advertisers don’t mention is the long list of harmful ingredients used to make these products. Some are mildly dangerous to human health. Causing eye irritations, skin rashes, headaches, and asthma. Others are potentially fatal and proven to be carcinogenic. Many cleaning products contain VOC’s which are volatile organic compounds, including ammonia and bleach. As the American Lung Association warns, “Cleaning supplies and household products containing VOCs and other toxic substances can include, but are not limited to:

• Aerosol spray products, including health, beauty, and cleaning products;
• Air fresheners;
• Chlorine bleach*;
• Detergent and dishwashing liquid;
• Dry cleaning chemicals;
• Rug and upholstery cleaners;
• Furniture and floor polish; and
• Oven cleaners.1,2

*Never mix bleach or any bleach-containing product with any cleaner containing ammonia. The gases created from this combination can lead to chronic breathing problems and even death.’’ Their report goes on to explain, that recent research reveals natural fragrances in cleaning products, especially air fresheners, can react with the ozone from indoor air sources and outdoor air to form formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen. And ozone is a harmful but invisible gas, that worsens asthma and other lung diseases. Such particles can cause heart attacks and stroke.

Not only are these products expensive, but they are also harmful to our health. The reality is our grandmothers had clean houses, clean clothes, using only natural products that worked. Here are some of our tried and tested tips to make sure your home clean and healthy without wasting your money.

The main ingredients you will need are baking soda, vinegar, dish soap, castille soap and water!

All-Purpose Cleaner

 Mix 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda into 2 liters of water.

Laundry Detergent

Mix 2 cups of washing soda with the gratings from one 5-ounce bar of castile soap. Use 1 tbsp for light loads; 2 tbsp for heavy loads.

Limescale in kettles and taps

Pour half a cup of vinegar in a kettle with 2 cups of water and let boil for a few minutes. Soak tap filters in pure vinegar

Marks on Walls and Painted Surfaces

Apply baking soda to a damp sponge. Rub gently, then wipe and rinse.

This will clean most ink spots, pencil, crayon, or marker spots can be cleaned from painted surfaces 

Oven Cleaner

Moisten oven surfaces with sponge and water. Use ¾ cup baking soda, ¼ cup salt, and ¼ cup water to make a thick paste, and spread throughout the oven interior. (Avoid bare metal and any openings.) Let sit overnight. Wipe clean in the morning.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Mix 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 cup vinegar, pour into the toilet basin and let it sit for a few minutes. Scrub with brush and rinse.

Tub and Tile Cleaner

For simple cleaning, rub in baking soda with a damp sponge and rinse with fresh water. For more challenging jobs, wipe surfaces with vinegar first and follow with baking soda as a scouring powder. (Vinegar can break down tile grout, so use sparingly.

Window Cleaner

Mix 2 teaspoons of white vinegar with 1 liter of warm water. Use crumpled newspaper or cotton cloth to clean. Only use the black and white newspapers, not with colour print. Best not to clean windows if the sun is on them, or if they are warm, as streaks will show when dry. Please do not add more vinegar than the recipe states, as it may lead to etching and cloud glass.

Stainless Steel

Clean with a dampened cloth with undiluted white vinegar or olive oil. For stainless cookware, mix 4 tablespoons of baking soda in 1 liter of water and apply using a soft cloth. Wipe dry using a clean cloth. For stainless steel sinks, pour some baking soda on an absorbent cloth to clean, rinse, and wipe dry using a clean cloth.

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