Relax and Be Healthy with a Clean Home
No person I have ever known has gotten any health benefits from keeping clutter and a dirty home.
Keeping a clean home is really just a good practice. No matter what your income is, there is no excuse for a dirty home.
As a matter of fact, did you know that a single bacteria can grow into over eight million in a single day? YUCK!
Since most of us are not in the business of being colonized by bacteria, here are listed some cleaning routine suggestions to keep the germs out of our sweet home:
Best practices of a cleaning routine
- Wipe down surfaces daily with a household disinfectant or disinfectant wipes is a good start to a healthy and more relaxed environment.
- Create a cleaning routine – If you live alone, it is good to have a routine for cleaning your space. Sometimes being alone can allow our minds to run wild in directions we’d like to avoid, and you can only watch so much TV, talk on the phone or surf the web for so long. Turn on some good tunes put a plan of attack in place and get your home clean. When you are finished cleaning, your mind will be at rest.
- Make a list of basics for cleaning: Wipe countertops, dust, vacuum, wipe mirrors down, wipe the door knobs. The American Cleaning Institute gives a detailed guideline of cleaning basics.
- Dos and Dont’s: Don’t keep a clutter of dirty dishes, glasses or utensils in the sink. Do your laundry in a timely manner, don’t leave clothes all over. Wash out toilets and bathtub. Theses cleaning habits will allow time for other things you enjoy.
- Teamwork: If you have a family or roommates, delegate chores! Do your kids a favor that will benefit them down the road. Teach them to pick up after themselves, and folks, teaching them the basics of keeping a clean home will in turn keep them organized to some degree in life.
Now, once your home is clean you can enjoy the health benefits!
A clean home reduces dust mites which is a leading cause of allergies, getting rid of dust mites with a thorough cleaning brings healthy breathing.
In addition, uncluttering your home is healthy living… Living in an uncluttered environment a helps to reduce distractions and improve concentration and gets rid of stress.
Overall, a clean and healthy home brings positive energy into the home.
Since we mentioned the use of disinfectants to clean countertops. Here are some Zesty Maids green disinfectant recipes that you can make at home:
3 DIY Green disinfectants:
1. Grapefruit seed extract or GSE
GSE is active against a large number of bacteria. It is even effective to combat against Haemophilus influenzae, a bacteria that causes ear infections, meningitis, and sinusitis.
To make a disinfectant spray: add 30-40 drops to 1 quart of water and shake well.
2. Vinegar
Vinegar is an acidic solution, vinegar kills some germs and microbes and inhibits their growth – if it didn’t, it would not be used to preserve foods like pickles.
To make a sanitizing spray of white or apple cider vinegar: mix 1/4 – 1/2 cup vinegar per cup of water. You can add some essential oil of bergamot, orange, or lemon to this solution to make it smell good and also to increase its antibacterial properties.
PS: bergamot is a citrus fruit and all citrus fruits have disinfectant qualities.
3. Hydrogen peroxide
A 1996 study showed that hydrogen peroxide, when combined with an equal amount of vinegar, is a potent bacteria killer. Salmonella, Shigella and E. Coli were all vanquished by this solution.
To make a disinfectant spray: mix 1 cup of water with 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide. Put the mixture in a dark spray bottle and use it to clean surfaces. You can also spray hydrogen peroxide directly onto countertops, or mix it with an equal amount of water.
Have a wonderful week!
Cheers
Ana Paula