Happy Wellness Wednesday, Garden Fam 🌸
I hope you are doing WELL! Last week, I encouraged you to exchange toxic chemicals for cleaner, safer products to live a healthier life. I shared a wonderful tool that has been a game changer in my journey to cleaner living and I know this would greatly support those who are looking to do the same. If you missed it, make sure you go back and check it out!
This week, we are continuing our Cleaner Living Series and zooming in on household products. Home is where the heart is, and it should also be where health lives. In today’s video, I explain why you should start using healthier household products TODAY. I also give a shout out to the company where my journey began. If you’re ready to begin your journey, today’s video and post is for YOU! Below, you can find a few of my favorite safe household products.
Reminder – Why should you be using cleaner products?
Your lungs
Your eyes
Your skin
Your home
What should you consider switching out?
Cleaning products — kitchen, bathroom, floor, carpet, furniture
Laundry & dish detergents
Air freshers
My Favorites
My #1 favorite - Melaleuca
Melaleuca is a wellness company that sells just about everything under the sun! This was my first introduction to cleaner living, because it made it easy to find almost everything I needed in one place.
What I love:
Everything in one place from cleaning products to personal care to vitamins and supplements
Their Clean Home Pack, which replaces just about all of your cleaning products at once (from laundry, to kitchen, to bathroom, and MORE)
Their products WORK
Ex. Tub & Tile is like the clean version of scrubbing bubbles, it does the work for you!
The products smell amazing!
If you like to spray a lot when cleaning like I do, you will not be disappointed (nor will you faint! lol)
The cleaning products are concentrated, so they will last you a long time!
The only ‘con’ that I can think of:
You can’t buy it in store
Where to Buy
Note: There is a membership program where you can get a super discount and even sign up for a monthly subscription delivery, but you can also just purchase from the site at the higher price.
If you try it, let me know what you think!
Prefer to buy in-store? My Favorite In-Store Products
Shower, Tub, Counter, Toilet
Baking Soda
The superstar of household products
You always have it around
It’s super inexpensive to restock
It removes dirt, grime, and dinginess from your white tub and counters
It has no smell
Cons
It does not disinfect, so you may need to pair it with another [clean] product that does
It sometimes leaves a white residue if not rinsed well
Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Multi-Surface - link
This is a good, versatile product that can be found in most stores
It cleans well, especially when paired with baking soda
Nice scent selection to choose from
Cons
Scent can be a bit strong when a lot is used
Contains one ‘half and half’ ingredient (see last week’s video if you don’t know what that means)
Sprouts Toilet Bowl Cleaner - link
Gets the job done for a reasonable price
Smells great!
Mirrors
Method Glass & Surface - link
Gets the job done well
Cons
Has one ‘dirty’ ingredient, so I’ll probably try the Seventh Generation glass cleaner next time I don’t order more from Melaleuca
Disinfectant
Seventh Generation Disinfectant Spray - link
Works well and smells great! I like the Lavender Vanilla & Thyme scent.
Cons
None from me!
Dish Soap
Trader Joe’s Liquid Dish Soap - link
Both scents they carry smell great and clean well!
Cons
Just one: Doesn’t stay super sudsy as long as I would like, so usually add soap to my sponge a couple times throughout washing
Laundry Detergent
Trader Joe’s Free & Clear Liquid Laundry Detergent - link
Keeps my clothes clean and is gentle on my sensitive skin!
I prefer scent-free detergents, but it does come in lavender as well!
Cons
None, really! I guess it’s only a con if you don’t live near a Trader Joe’s, but that’s a tragedy in itself! Lol
Seventh Generation Free & Clear EasyDose Laundry Detergent - link
This one is a great backup if you don’t live near Trader Joe’s. I ended up trying it because TJ’s was closed on New Years day and so far, I love it! My favorite part is the automatic measurement. When you squeeze the bottle, it only lets out enough for one load, so no guessing and no waste!
Cons
None so far!
Dryer Sheets
Wool Dryer Balls - link
These are great, because I don’t have to constantly refill my dryer sheets, they help my clothes to dry more efficiently, and they still soften my clothes. As mentioned, I prefer scent-free washing, but some people add a couple drops of essential oils to theirs before drying to get that fresh scent!
Cons
None for me! Maybe that I didn’t start using these sooner!
Air Fresheners
This one needed its own post, to be honest. So check out some suggestions here!
I hope this was helpful! Now that you have the information and a tool you can use...
What are you waiting for?! Let’s get CLEAN!
Have a healthy and wholesome week!
Love you bunches 🍇
Hey Garden Fam!
It’s a special week, because I’m coming at you with TWO Wellness Wednesday posts.
This one is an add-on to today’s main post about cleaning house and choosing cleaner household products.
The fragrances we use in our homes can add to the ambiance and intimacy, but can take away from our health if we are not careful. Check out a few suggestions below for some alternative suggestions to eliminate odors and to add in fragrance. I will tell you up front that there is nothing like an essential oil diffuser in my opinion. Not only does it make your space smell great, but you can also strategically select oils to benefit your health in other ways. For example, you can use lavender at night for calming effects or peppermint for focus. You can also purchase or create oil blends for other specific effects. Here are some more options:
Eliminate Odors
Fresh Air
Open the windows as often as possible to let fresh air in and odors out
Absorb Odors
Charcoal Air Purifier
Baking Soda (told you it’s the ONE!)
Add more plants
Plants are natural air purifiers and also can add light fragrances to the space
Suggestions for Fragrant Indoor Plants
Introduce New Fragrances
Note: If you decide to try Melaleuca, they have a version of each option listed below as well, so I’d definitely recommend trying those first, but if not, here are a few:
Non-Toxic Air Freshener Spray
Grow Fragrance
I honestly haven’t tried this one yet, but it has amazing reviews and is a clean option!
Essential Oils
Electronic Mist (My favorite type)
Great for clearing smells after cooking, introducing a specific scent throughout the space, or for strategic essential oil use, as mentioned above
Reed Diffuser
Good for a subtle, ongoing scent
Essential Oil Burner
Great mix between a candle and an essential oil. With the candle burning, it pours the fragrance throughout your space
Non-toxic Candles
Look-fors: Organic, nontoxic, paraben-free, phthalate-free, bonus: a cotton wick
Clean(er) Plug-ins
This can be one of the most toxic options for home fragrance, but here are a few that claim to be cleaner. I have not tried them for myself, because I was satisfied with the ones from Melaleuca, but these have pretty good reviews!
Here's to great, healthy home fragrances, Have a healthy and wholesome week!
Love you bunches 🍇
Happy Wellness Wednesday, Garden Fam 🌸
I hope you are doing WELL!
Here at The Garden of Epiphani, we believe that our bodies are safer and operate at their best when we minimize toxins and opt for cleaner, healthier, more natural options. God made the earth and its products with us in mind so that we would have what we needed to thrive. As such, why wouldn’t we do what we can to get the most out of the natural resources we have without introducing toxins that weren’t meant to be in or around our bodies?
Though harsh chemicals and toxic ingredients are often found in many of the foods we eat and products we use, it is certainly worth it to make changes over time to minimize the toxins we ingest, use, and come in contact with to maximize our health!
Check out this week’s Wellness Wednesday video to learn about a super cool tool and a few tips for living a cleaner, healthier life.
As always, have a healthy & wholesome week!
Love you bunches 🍇
Focus Verses 💕
Genesis 1:29
And God said, “See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food."
3 John 1:2
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.