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What Does Going Green Mean?

Going green means implementing certain lifestyle changes designed to help you live in a more eco-friendly way. It means becoming more environmentally aware and changing your behavior and lifestyle to reduce the amount of pollution and waste you generate.

The decision to go green is a gradual process for most people. Any action you take that contributes to sustainable living makes a positive impact on the environment. Everyone can implement small changes into his or her current lifestyle to make a difference for the Earth and future generations.

Why Go Green?

While most people are aware that going green is good for the Earth, they may not fully understand the extent of its impact. Going green leads to a healthier lifestyle, a cleaner environment, it saves you money and is good for your children’s future. The green initiative is about conserving resources so that your needs and the needs of future generations can be met.

How To Go Green

Going green is often simply a matter of replacing old habits with new ones. Each time you make a conscious decision to conserve natural resources, you take another step toward green living.

1. Turn Off Lights
2. Switch off lights as you leave a room, which saves energy and reduces your electricity bill.
3. Set Your Thermostat
4. Set your thermostat above 78 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer and below 60 in the winter. Wear less clothing in summer and more in winter. Open windows rather than running the air conditioner, if possible.
5. Conserve Water
6. Take shorter showers. Turn water off while brushing your teeth or shaving. Fix leaky faucets. Run your dishwasher and washing machine only when you have a full load.
7. Recycle
8. Recycle aluminum, cardboard, glass and plastic materials if possible. By doing so you reduce the amount of waste headed to landfills.
9. Reuse
10. Find ways to reuse things that cant be recycled rather than throwing it away. Old clothing can be used as rags. Large containers can be turned into planters. Consider donating large items you no longer want or need.
11. Change Your Light Bulbs
12. Switch to compact fluorescent bulbs which last longer and use less energy.
13. Bring Your Own Grocery Bags
14. Reduce waste by bringing your own grocery bags to the store to use again. Purchase reusable cloth grocery bags to keep in your car for trips to the store.
15. Eat Greener
16. Support locally grown produce which reduces greenhouse emissions by reducing the demand for shipments of processed food products.
17. Buy Local and from Eco-friendly Brands
18. When you buy local, you are not only supporting local farms and businesses, but you are supporting the global environment by reducing shipping fuels from foods and supplies that have to travel long distances.
19. Carpool, Bike or Bus
20. Carpool with your co-workers, or walk or take your bike when weather permits.
21. Familiarize yourself with your city’s public transportation and bus systems. You’ll cut your gas bill and reduce your car emissions.
22. Unplug
23. Even when appliances are turned off they continue to draw electricity. Unplug seldom-used appliances or plug related appliances into a power strip to turn off when finished using them. Unplug electronic chargers when not in use.

What is the Difference Between Going Green and Sustainability and Eco-Friendly?

Many people confuse going green, sustainability, and eco-friendly — but the differences between the three aren’t so difficult once you look into it.

Simply put:

1. Going green refers to all aspects of environmentally-friendly products from fashion to buildings to the movement as a whole.
2. Eco-friendly means that a product, practice, or activity won’t harm the environment.
3. Sustainability means that what we do today doesn’t deplete resources for future generations.

Buying Green vs Buying Sustainable

Some products may be considered green due to their makeup, but they may not be considered sustainable due to their production.

For example, a product made from renewable sources such as a wooden hairbrush is considered green, however if a life-cycle analysis of the production process showed that it takes a lot of energy to manufacture and ship and there is no way to properly dispose of the hairbrush when you are finished, it is not sustainable.

Ideally, you should try to find brands and products that are both green and sustainable.

Being eco-friendly means thinking about the ecology of the earth and making sure the products you consume, and the practices you keep, have a minimal impact on the earth itself.

Eco-Friendly Products

Many products will be labeled as eco-friendly, but what exactly does that mean? First of all, the products should be non-toxic. This means that they are made without toxic materials or toxic pesticides and herbicides. Eco-friendly products may be made with recycled materials such as glass, wood, metal, or plastics that have been broken down from a wasted item and reconstituted into something new.

Eco-friendly products should contain ingredients that were sustainably grown or manufactured — which means to be done so with minimal damage to the earth and community where they come from.

Clean vs. Nontoxic vs. Organic

This one is also simple once you learn that “clean” means free of chemicals or materials that are synthetic, and are usually natural ingredients only.

Non-toxic means something does not contain chemicals or materials that are harmful to humans or the environment.

Organic means ingredients are grown without pesticides or herbicides. Organic products have a rigid certification process that varies by country, however the other two claims, clean and non-toxic, do not.

Greenwashing

Unfortunately, some companies participate in “greenwashing” which is to label a product as “eco-friendly” or “environmentally friendly” without doing due diligence to make sure that is correct.

Other companies may produce “eco-friendly” products to cover up other not eco-friendly practices within the supply chain. To avoid falling for this, make sure to thoroughly research a brand before you buy. Don’t just believe labels unless they are certified statements.

Final Note

Without green and eco-friendly products and practices, the earth will suffer; and without sustainable activities, we may deplete resources.

What is Conscious Cleaning?

It’s about integrity and intentionality. Conscious cleaning. It’s a buzzword that’s been discussed increasingly over the last few years as we’ve become more mindful about consumption. But what does the term mean? Like “clean” and “sustainable,” conscious cleaning doesn’t have a set definition.

At Boulder Clean, we’ve adopted the philosophy that it’s about applying a more thoughtful approach to our cleaning routines. It involves taking a closer look at a brand’s actions and core beliefs to ensure they align with our values. 

Our Values

Inclusivity: Representation matters, and it should be a priority for everyone in beauty. To be a conscious beauty brand, you must include all races, cultures, gender identities, sexual orientations, ages, body types, and abilities. BC celebrates diversity across all areas—from their marketing visuals to in-house staff.

Sustainability: Conscious cleaning brands do everything in their power to make the most ethical choices across ingredients and packaging. Sustainable packaging is a very nuanced conversation, but we appreciate brands doing what they can to reduce waste and their impact on the environment. Using recycled materials or refillable packaging are just a few steps we love to see brands taking. Use FSC-certified cartons made with paperboard from responsibly managed forests. Boulder Clean is committed to no single-use plastic by 2025.

Ingredients and Ethical Sourcing: Boulder Clean uses the most ethical choices across ingredients. We Refuse to use over 2500 ingredients that are harmful to either our person or our environment. Our refuse to use list has grown over the last 7 years as ingredients have been created or recognized as harmful, and it will continue to evolve for the same reason. Our products bring our consumers the most effective natural home cleaning solutions possible with Safer Choice Certified chemistry.

Transparency: When it comes to each product we use, we want to know who makes it, what it does, when it was made, where the ingredients come from, and why the brand created it. Boulder Clean shares answers to these questions on our website to encourage free-flowing communication.

Impact: We want to spend money with brands making an impact outside of the cleaning industry. Some brands have committed to making a difference by using their platform to amplify causes connected to their values.

Brand Story: No one wants to support a brand with no personality or purpose. We prefer to champion brands that fulfill an undeniable need in their category and have a sincere founder at the helm. When a founder’s reason for starting their brand resonates with us, it allows us to establish a connection that extends beyond the products.

How Green is Your Clean?

Cleaning and doing laundry can sometimes expose us and the environment to unnecessary toxins. Traditional cleaning products and laundry detergents are filled with chemicals that can irritate the skin and respiratory system, while also causing harm to the environment when they are washed down into the sewer systems. Luckily, there are choices you can make to avoid these potentially harmful cleaning products to keep you and the earth safe.

How To Make Environmentally-Conscious Cleaning Choices

Buy safer Cleaning Products: Look for “Safer Choice” labels established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for products that have safer chemicals. There is also “Green Seal” certification which identifies the product as environmentally-friendly with natural ingredients.

With the right mindset and the right products, cleaning can become a treat rather than a chore.

There are plenty of people out there who never panic at the thought of a visitor, and whose homes just seem to, dare we say it, stay clean without effort. We all know someone like this, whose house seems to exist in a permanent state of spotlessness, even when you happen to drop in on them unexpectedly.

So what’s their secret to keeping things clean?

Turns out, the key to keeping a consistently clean house is staying on top of chores a little bit at a time and developing habits that keep their homes clutter free without thinking twice. In the process, they exert less energy than those of us who resort to binge clean-ups. Rather than attempting to clean the entire house all at once, try tackling small tasks — like wiping down counters, starting a load of laundry or putting away stray items — when you have a few minutes to spare.

Here are 15 things people with tidy homes do regularly:

They Make the Bed

As soon as you roll out of bed in the morning, make an effort to make your bed, or at the very least, fold the comforter and toss the pillows back where they belong. Your room will always look presentable and clean, and it’s guaranteed to make you feel like you have your act together.

They Don’t Wear Shoes in The House

Even when your shoes seem clean, they are still covered in dirt and bacteria. This means that when you wear them in the house or rest them on the furniture *gasp*, you’re spreading those germs around your home. Removing your shoes when you enter your home (and requesting guests do the same) not only reduces the amount of actual dirt trekked into your home, but also limits your exposure to the “other stuff” you walk through.

They Open Mail Everyday

Make it a goal to spend 30 seconds with that stack of mail every day. Immediately recycle or shred anything you don’t need — and don’t feel bad about getting rid off any non-subscription catalogs that don’t warrant your time.

They Invest in Quality Products

People with well-kept homes also invest in quality cleaning products that make the job easier, and they don’t let clutter get out of control.

They Clean as They Cook

Forget what you’ve heard about leaving dishes to soak in the sink. By cleaning up while you cook — even if that means giving cutting boards and sauce pans a quick rinse — you’ll break down food particles more easily and minimize the mess.

They Run the Dishwasher Every. Single. Day.

Owning a high-efficiency appliance makes this routine economical. Make it a habit of loading the dishwasher and running it every night after dinner, and unloading it as your coffee brews the following morning. If you only produce enough to fill some of the dishwasher, keep in mind that many appliances have a half-load setting that targets the top rack and uses up to 30% less water.

They Put Appliances Away

We’re not saying that your coffee maker can’t sit on the counter. But, we are saying that your coffee maker doesn’t need to be accompanied by your blender, slow cooker, air fryer and toaster. Having all of these appliances next to each other will make your kitchen look cluttered and leave little room for meal-prep, so tuck them out of sight after you’re done using them.

They Keep Up with Laundry

Keep up with laundry by adopting a consistent routine, such as committing to running loads two nights a week, and put the clothing back on hangers and in drawers immediately.

They Wipe Down Surfaces

A quick wipe-down can do wonders. If you clean the surface you’ve used after each task before walking away, you’ll keep counters and glass surfaces clean and ready to go. From swiping your glass shower door to running a towel around your sink after washing the dishes, a short clean can prevent grime build-up and keep your surfaces spotless.

They Regularly Assess the Pantry

Instead of saving baking ingredients and canned goods long after they’ve expired, check their sell-by-dates on a regular basis. A weekly sweep of your pantry will not only remind you which items you still have in stock, but will also help you get rid of anything that could potentially make you ill.

They Put Things Away Immediately

They never leave a room empty-handed, have a place for everything and don’t allow clutter to build up. Remember growing up when your parents would stop you and tell you to take your dishes with you as you left? Turns out they were right…again. Getting into the habit of putting items away as you leave a room leads to an effortlessly clean house. No more jackets on the bed, shoes on the floor or keys on the counter. If you want a clean house, you have to get into the habit of always putting things away immediately. This is imperative. And if you have too much stuff without a place to go, the clutter and piles in your home become impossible to actually clean.

They Keep High-Touch Surfaces Germ-Free

There’s no denying that wet wipes make disinfecting surfaces easy (and satisfying). Keep a container handy, and use wet wipes once a week (or daily during flu season) for attacks on light switches, remote controls, drawer pulls, banisters and doorknobs.

They Keep the Air Fresh

If you’ve ever walked into your friend’s home and been blown away by how clean and fresh it smells, odds are that didn’t just happen. Whether they diffuse essential oils, light a fragrant candle or simply open the window every once in a while to beckon fresh air indoors, keeping the air fresh isn’t just an afterthought.

They Straighten Up Before Bedtime

Do a quick sweep through your most lived-in rooms before you call it a night. Tuck away any toys, shoes, or blankets, and make sure backpacks and bags are ready for the next day. You’ll thank yourself in the morning.

They Make Chores a Part of their Lifestyle

Folding clothes while watching TV, doing a quick sweep while dinner is cooking or simply organizing the fridge when you reach for your next snack are all good habits to get into to help keep your house constantly clean. And clean throughout the year. Seasonality doesn’t need to dictate when we decide to clean our homes, so forget you ever heard of “spring cleaning.” Instead, make purging a routine (monthly, or quarterly) to keep the excess to a minimum, and keep minimalism at the forefront. Keep donate, hand-me-down, and recycling bins in well-marked and convenient spots to help make it easier to master an ongoing method that works for you.

For a lot of consumers, scented cleaning products are an integral part of making their cleaning experience more pleasant.

It’s difficult enough to understand the paragraph of ingredients listed on most cleaning products, let alone the complicated terms that brands use to describe fragrances.

What are fragrances exactly and do they change the effectiveness of the cleaning product itself? What does unscented and fragrance-free really mean? And, perhaps most importantly, how can we choose the products that work well—and still smell good? Below, we’re breaking down every little thing you need to know about fragrances in your cleaning products.

Scented

First, what is fragrance?

A fragrance, or a perfume, is a chemical concoction that smells really good (or really bad, depending on your preference). You can find fragrances in many different types of products on the market.

Why use fragrance?

It’s because most people like when their home and laundry care products smell nice. Companies understand the power of a pleasingly fragranced product, and how that impacts a consumer’s buying decisions and their experience of using the product at home.

In general, fragrance is added to products to make them more appealing.

For many people, enjoying fragrances is one of life’s luxuries. For those of you struggling with sensitive skin, though, even the most natural perfumes are a luxury you can’t afford. There are three categories of fragrances—synthetic fragrances, natural fragrances, and essential oils. All of these fragrances can cause a problem if you have sensitive skin or are sensitive to fragrance.

What does “natural” actually mean when it comes to fragrances?

Natural fragrances, as defined by the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) must be plant derived from aromatic natural raw materials. Natural fragrance molecules are single molecular entities derived from a natural source. They must be physically obtained from plants through mechanical extraction (through cold pressing for example) or distillation (via water or steam.) They cannot be chemically altered or made from artificial materials. Companies extract natural fragrances from flowers, spices, and more. For example geraniol, extracted from roses would be a natural fragrance. Natural fragrances are beautiful; however the scent doesn’t last as long and the scent extracted can vary according to environmental changes and harvest variation.

Essential oils are mixtures that are isolated from plant sources. Thus, they are natural fragrances.

Synthetic (aka artificial) fragrances contain chemicals that are not derived from a natural source—they are made in a lab. They’re synthesized using inorganic substances and designed to mimic natural scents. So geraniol synthesized in the lab would be a synthetic fragrance even though it is exactly the same substance. Of course you can also have fragrances that are synthetic and not found in nature at all. There are thousands of fragrance chemicals which are used in different combinations to create these different notes.

However just because natural fragrances are from nature does not mean they will be beneficial the same way that synthetic fragrances in a lab aren’t always going to cause harm.

Why so much anxiety about fragrance?

There are multiple reasons, one of which is the effect these compounds have on sensitive skin. The other reason is that manufacturers aren’t required by law to list the ingredients they use in fragrance. The list of chemicals that are allowed under the “fragrance” label is constantly growing; as of late 2021, the list was nearly 4,000 ingredients long. Some of those chemicals are completely harmless (for example, “Lavender” is on that list), while others pose established threats to human and environmental health (we’ll get to that in a minute).

The word “fragrance” has been protected in the industry for many years as a “trade secret,” meaning that companies do not have to disclose all of the raw materials that make up a fragrance. They can instead list just “fragrance” or “parfum” as a catchall term. That means you could be introducing a host of toxic chemicals to your home without ever even knowing it. When you think of fragrance, terms such as phthalates and parabens may come to mind. Particularly concerning is the high concentration of phthalates, which we’ll talk about more in a bit. Some synthetic fragrances can include nasty chemicals like benzene derivatives (carcinogenic) or toluene.

We are exposed to fragrance chemicals primarily through the inhalation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that readily evaporate from the scented product into the air or direct skin contact.

Side effects

Synthetic fragrances are more potent and can contain added fixatives – often endocrine disrupting phthalates, to make the scent last longer. Artificial fragrances are the #1 irritant on skin and one of the most potentially harmful ingredients we can encounter – because they contain phthalates. While evidence isn’t conclusive that phthalates are bad for people, there are links between phthalates and increasing rates of chronic disease. Phthalates have been linked from everything to testicular cancer to liver cancer, but allergies and asthma still remain the biggest side effect of artificial fragrance and studies reveal that women are even more susceptible to these side effects.

For more information about phthalates, check out these sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/biomonitoring/Phthalates_FactSheet.html

https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/features/what-are-phthalates#1

Not all synthetic fragrances are harmful.

Synthetic fragrances are not necessarily bad, but there has been some bad publicity in recent years given to parabens and phthalates, which can be found in synthetic fragrances. While phthalates can be found in non-natural fragrances, synthetics can indeed be made without such toxins. So are synthetic fragrances without phthalates safe? Though phthalate-free, synthetic fragrances aren’t from nature, they’re considered safe for your skin and body.

Here at Boulder Clean, we stand by safer scents — it’s simply what we’re made of. People + pets + the planet are always top of mind. Even so, we wanted to clear up any confusion about synthetic fragrances. They often get a bad rap, when in reality, you can have a safe household cleaner that contains them. We’re here to debunk the bogus myth that synthetic fragrances are unsafe, because it’s just not true. Let us explain…

The B-Clean Promise

Here’s what we promise to you: by using a combo of both safer synthetic + natural ingredients, you can rest assured that you won’t find any of the unnecessary fillers + nasty chemicals that dilute or pollute a scent. We never use any of this nasty junk because it’s simply not necessary when making a healthier synthetic fragrance, so we leave all that other stuff out to ensure a safer synthetic formula.

Be it synthetic or natural, we only choose the safest scents Every. Single. Time. That means we never use parabens, phthalates, PBTs, synthetic carcinogens, mutagens, etc. We follow the strictest safety guidelines from the IFRA. But that’s just our starting point. We also follow the EPA Safer Choice interim fragrance criteria, and then we slap on our own tough regulations on top of all that. Humble boast, but we’re sticklers when it comes to safety.

Why we use a combo of synthetic + natural fragrances

One big difference between our cleaners and many other natural cleaners is how they smell. While we make some of our products with all-natural oils, we also add phthalate-free fragrances to ensure an amazing scent. These synthetic fragrances may also be blended with essential oils for a more natural scent.

We call our scents “nature-inspired” because we use nature as the roadmap, but not the end-all-be-all source. Sure, we use our fair share of natural ingredients. But as we mentioned above, sometimes a fragrance in its natural state can still harbor some pretty nasty (natural) toxins in there. When it comes to natural fragrances, there can be safety hazards, respiratory sensitizers, allergens + carcinogens in those too. That’s why we only choose from the safest natural + synthetic ingredients. By making fragrances the right way, we make can sure none of those nasty chemicals, from naturally-occurring ingredients or from synthetic sources, ever make it into your air.

What we’re trying to say here is that it’s important to remember that the word “natural” does not mean safe.

Can synthetic fragrances be the safer choice?

Sometimes it’s actually safer to use a synthetic fragrance then a natural one (mic drop). This is because sometimes a natural fragrance can have harmful, toxic properties in its all-natural state. But when making a fragrance ingredient that smells natural, those natural toxins can be removed from the equation, making it safer to breathe but still smelling, well, like nature intended!

Essential oils can also be sourced in an unsustainable way, so it’s important that companies are conscious about how they obtain their natural scents from an environmental standpoint as well.

It’s also important to point out that unnatural (synthetic) fragrances don’t cause more allergic reactions than natural. Any fragrance can contain allergens, unless they are removed, because allergens come in all shapes + sizes (synthetically + naturally occurring).

Unscented + Fragrance-free

The difference between fragrance-free and unscented

Fragrance-free means that no fragrance materials—synthetic or natural—are used in the product. Instead, these products smell like the ingredients they contain. Fragrance-free products make them perfect for people with sensitive skin (or noses). These products also reduce the risk of reaction to known chemical sensitizers that your skin could come into contact with.

However, just because a product is fragrance free does not mean it doesn’t have a scent. Simply put a fragrance-free product cannot have added fragrance. However, it can contain ingredients that have a scent of their own. For example, our liquid laundry detergent is made with a cold-pressed orange oil that has a smell. So it could still be labelled as fragrance-free because the purpose of the oil is to act as a degreaser, not as a scent. But it could not be labelled unscented.

On the other hand, unscented generally means that the product doesn’t have an obvious fragrance. However, this statement can be misleading. While unscented products have no smell, they do use chemicals or other substances to neutralize or mask the odor of the product’s active ingredients (which don’t always smell great). For example, if a product is formulated with lavender, for example, but some chemical is added to mask the smell, the product can be labelled as “unscented” but not fragrance free. These may contain synthetic fragrances and phthalates.

What to look for

It is very important when buying any products, especially if you have sensitive skin or allergies, that you check the ingredients of products. If you aren’t sure, check out the label or visit the product’s branded website. Look at the ingredients listed on products and avoid products that include phthalate, DEP, DBP, DEHP, DiDP, DnOP and DINP. If “fragrance” is listed as an ingredient and it isn’t specified as a phthalate-free fragrance, it’s best to avoid those products as well. Regulations do not require the listing of individual fragrance ingredients, so it’s not known if phthalates are present unless specifically listed. Alternatively, choose third-party certified, green cleaning products to lower harmful chemical exposures: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s “Safer Choice” fragrance-free label, Green Seal or ECOLOGO. Products with these certifications, ensure that fragrances used are phthalate-free.

If you like using products with fragrances, your best bet is turning to ones containing natural fragrances—like essential oils—provided that you’re not allergic to the stuff. Anyone can be allergic to anything, so some individuals can have allergic reactions to certain essential oils. For example, those who are allergic to ragweed should avoid using chamomile. Keep in mind, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate the essential oil industry, which makes careful sourcing on the part of brands and consumers very important.

All seasons are beautiful in their own way, from leaves dropping during the fall to mounds of snow during the winter. However, you don’t want to track all that outside debris inside your home. Strategies like enacting a shoes-off policy, adding easy-to-clean rugs and doormats, and investing in hands-free boot removers can prevent germs and dirt from creeping inside your home. Here are five smart ways home experts prevent mud, dirt, snow, and grass from trekking indoors.

Designate just one or two entrances for muddy feet and paws.

The first step in keeping mud out of your house during wet weather is to limit the number of places where it can be tracked inside. It is best to choose an entrance that leads into a room that doesn’t have carpet or any furniture that a dog or child might jump on before you can get them out of their dirty shoes or wipe the mud off of their feet.

A garage, laundry room, mud room or kitchen usually works best and is far more likely to have a floor that is easy to clean.

DIY Mudroom

If you are at all concerned about mud being tracked into your home during rainy weather, you definitely need a mud room — or at least a mud area. If you already have a mud room in your home, you are way ahead of the game. The whole purpose of this room is to provide a space between the oh-so-dirty outside world and the indoor living spaces in your home. This single area will likely do more to keep dirt and mud out of your home than any other mud-reducing solution.

If you do not currently have a mudroom, it is time to make one.

Any spot without carpet at an exterior entrance will do, but it is usually most convenient if it is located in a garage or laundry room that has a handy door to your backyard or side yard.

If you enter your home through the front door, a hall tree works wonders for controlling mess and clutter. It has cubbies with bins and baskets for scarves, hooks for hanging bags, easy-access shoe shelves and hidden storage behind its shuttered doors.

If you enter your home through the garage, it’s easy to create a makeshift mudroom. Lay down large area rugs to keep the dirt out of your house and install sufficient shelving so bags can be stored out of the way, yet in an accessible spot. Locker-style storage offers individualized spaces for DIY supplies, sports equipment, and outerwear.

It is also quite convenient to locate the mudroom near your laundry room or the laundry area in your garage so that everyone can drop off their wet or dirty clothing without carrying it through the house.

A covered front porch is also a great spot for an open-air mud room where people can remove wet or muddy shoes and clothing before entering the house. When it is raining, it is much harder to convince someone to stand in the downpour while they take off their shoes, but if they have protection from the elements while they are still outside, they will have no excuse for not taking the time to remove muddy shoes and clothes before coming inside.

Adopt a shoes-off policy.

It is a good idea to make your house a no-shoe zone regardless of the weather. This helps to keep mud outside when it’s raining, but even when the sun is out, this helps keep dirt, pesticides and other unsavory elements from being tracked into your home.

A boot tray is a simple, inexpensive solution for muddy boots and shoes and can be placed on a porch or in your mud room by the door. And with a boot remover you can stop struggling with taking your muddy boots and shoes off—you don’t need to touch your boots to take them off, so you can keep your hands clean. If you want to go a step farther, you can keep a basket of slippers just inside the door for use by your family members and guests once they have taken their shoes off outside.

It is also a good idea to have shoes that you keep by the door that are only used for working in the yard or garden or that are only used for playing outside. Designating shoes strictly for gardening or outside play is a great way to ensure that they are not worn inside and to keep mud out of the house.

Add rugs and runners at your entryways.

If your goal is to keep mud out of the house, every entrance needs a mat on the outside and a rug on the inside. The mat-and-rug system is the ideal solution for catching some of the mess before it makes it into the house.

Of course, not just any mat will do; it needs to be a bristly or rubber mat that will trap or scrape off mud as your pets, family members and guests walk on it. Look for options with a high-low surface rib design. This will help to trap dirt and moisture in the recessed channels below shoe-level to keep grime outside. A large mat that is difficult to avoid is best, but you can also use multiple mats if you are not able to find one large enough to suit this purpose. There are even specially designed doormats made specifically to soak up water and mud from pups who have been out to play after the snow or rain.

Just inside each of your doors, you should have a washable rug. Something more like a runner leading up to your door is generally most effective. While it might be tempting to purchase nicer rugs that are more attractive, it is most likely not worth the expense. These rugs are going to be doing a lot of work and spending a lot of time being tumbled around in your washer and dryer, so the smarter choice is to go for something sturdy and functional that you will not mind ruining. An easy-to-clean option is to use an indoor-outdoor rug. Old throw rugs that have seen better days also work well for this, as do old bathroom rugs.

Keep towels by the door.

Keep a basket of clean towels in your mud room or by your designated entrance. This will ensure that a towel is always handy when you need to dry off a wet child or wipe muddy paws.

Pay attention to your flooring.

The flooring in your mudroom or entryway should withstand water, dirt, and excess debris and be easy to clean. Durability and visual appeal are important factors to consider when choosing the best flooring type for your entryway. There are a variety of tile and vinyl options that will complement your existing interior themes while offering the strength and moisture-resistance you need. Tile and high-quality vinyl are waterproof and will provide protection.

Install good ground covers.

Ground cover is a particularly important part of your overall landscape design if you are trying to keep mud out of your home. After all, there would be no mud to track in if proper ground covers are in place to ensure that there is no mud.

Most of the mud that is tracked from your yard into your house is either going to originate in bare patches of dirt or in a natural grass lawn. It is particularly important that you limit mud in areas where your children or pets play, in your pets’ favorite bathroom spots and in any areas that are near entrances to your home.

Natural grass can be a nightmare during and after rain, and if you have children, pets or guests who walk through the grass and into your home, you may end up with both mud and wet blades of grass tracked all over your floors. An easy solution to this problem is to consider is gravel, which is a practical choice that allows for proper drainage without puddles or muddy patches.

Your Turn…

What tricks do you employ to prevent outside dirt and mud from getting traipsed through the house?

The holiday season is known for being a festive time. There are cocktail parties, fun gatherings and, of course, holiday meals with friends and family. For the most part, these events are sources of joy. However, if you’re the one hosting a holiday meal or get-together, the cleanup associated with parties and dinners can cause quite the headache.

You’ve cooked up a storm, and your kitchen aftermath is proof with dishes piled and garbage overflowing. Instead of playing games or getting cozy on the couch to watch a holiday movie, you get to clean up after cooking. What you need is a recipe for a clean, functional holiday kitchen that works with you, not against you.

Using the following tips will help you clean quickly and painlessly after holiday meals.

Clean as you go.

Tidying up after a holiday meal should actually start while you’re still cooking. When dinner is over and you’re trying to determine how to wash dishes fast, you’ll thank yourself for taking the time to clean pots or pans you’ve finished with while rolls and sauces are baking or simmering. Other ways to get ahead of the housekeeping game include:

1. Wiping up spills and prep surfaces immediately
2. Lining baking trays with foil or parchment paper so they don’t require as much effort to wash
3. Preparing breads, casseroles and pies in dishes that come with lids so that you can cover them up rather than transferring them to a new container

Plan the menu with cleanup in mind.

When planning your holiday menu, think twice about elaborate recipes that require a laundry list of ingredients and numerous types of cookware. To cut down on cleanup from the start, opt for simple fare that you can throw together on a single sheet pan or in one pot. Or consider asking guests to bring a side dish or dessert. You’ll streamline food preparations as well as dish duty.

Prep smart.

Making a plan for holiday meal cleanup can be a lifesaver when you’re trying to quickly take care of housekeeping chores so you can spend more quality time with friends and relatives. Here are some ideas to help make tidying up more efficient:

1. Put a wicker basket for used table linens or placemats near the dining room table
2. Have plenty of clean plasticware (with matching lids) set out and ready to go
3. Make sure your fridge and freezer are cleared out for leftover storage
4. Set out extra waste baskets and recycle bins so guests have plenty of options and don’t leave cans or wadded up paper towels lying about
5. Have a surplus of disinfecting wipes and surface cleaners handy for wiping spills and washing countertops.

Use disposable dishes and utensils.

Trade fancy china and hand-wash-only pans for disposable versions you can toss when you’re done. This makes cleaning up a breeze and no worries about broken china or drying dishes for days. For an eco-friendlier alternative, look for plastic-free options made from biodegradable or compostable materials such as this plant-based dinnerware set made from fallen palm leaves.

Use a tablecloth.

To really make the cleanup of crumbs and spills a breeze, use a tablecloth. Not only will it make your table look a little more formal for the holiday, but it allows you to fold up the mess then immediately throw it in the washer. For extra-crumby messes, simply shake out in the yard before washing.

Clear the table like restaurant servers do.

Take a cue from restaurants for a more efficient way to clear the table. Purchase a bus tub ($17, Amazon) or use a large, sturdy tray with tall sides to safely gather stacks of plates, utensils, and other tableware in one go. This trick saves trips back and forth from the table to the kitchen and keeps your sink clear until you’re ready to start washing up.

Dealing with dishes.

If you don’t go the disposable dishes route, you need to start washing your dishes. If you have a dishwasher, fill it up as much as possible and then wait to run the load until you finish handwashing the rest.

When it comes to using your dishwasher vs. hand washing the dishes from your holiday meal, there are some factors you want to consider:

1. Some nicer and more decorative plates should be washed by hand as they could get chipped if they’re knocked around in the dishwasher. The same goes for cleaning wine glasses, crystal stemware and your fancy cocktail tumblers.
2. Larger casserole dishes and roasting pans could probably do with a good soaking before they’re loaded into the dishwasher.
3. Rinse all dishes and stack them neatly in the sink while they’re waiting on their turn in the dishwasher. This will save you time later as you won’t have to scrape off hardened bits of turkey or pecan pie.
4. Reduce the time spent cleaning up by washing some dishes by hand while the dishwasher runs its cycle.
5. Ask a relative to help out by hand drying the dishes and putting them away while you wash, so you don’t have to put the chore off due to a full dish-drying rack.

Enlist help.

Holiday hosting (and cleanup) doesn’t have to be a one-person show. Enlist guests or family members to help with tasks leading up to and during the event. For example, assign a helper or two to start washing dishes while you cook. Delegate tasks ahead of time so everyone knows what they’re responsible for when the festivities begin.

The holidays produce a lot of trash—more than 1 million tons of additional stuff goes to the landfills each holiday season, according to Oceanic Global. But it doesn’t have to be that way.There are now alternatives to nearly every item you may typically buy during the holidays, so start swapping!

Rethink your tree!

There’s been a lot of debate about whether a real or artificial tree is better, but there are other options. Consider decorating one of your house plants instead. Potted Christmas trees can be replanted after the holidays and reused all year long and for years to come. Consider buying a potted tree with a root ball that is native to your area. In California, New York, and Oregon you can even rent a potted Christmas tree, and they will take care of it for you between seasons!

If getting a potted tree is not possible, reduce your carbon footprint by purchasing a locally grown cut tree, and making sure it gets mulched or otherwise recycled—rather than put into the landfill—when the holiday is over. Cut trees are a better choice than artificial trees. Artificial trees can last many years if well cared for, but they do have some significant drawbacks. For example, you would have to keep your plastic Christmas tree for at least 10 years for it to have the same carbon impact as using a real tree each year. Artificial trees cannot be recycled at the end of their life, so they must be landfilled or incinerated. In the landfill, the non-biodegradable materials don’t really ever break down, while incineration causes plastics such as PVC to release dioxins and other carcinogens into the air.

Or you can get creative with tree alternatives–like a stylish stack of books or a branch of berries.

Use LED lights and smart electronics.

If your string lights have seen better days, now’s the perfect time to upgrade to LEDs, which use a fraction of the electricity, last much longer, and often come with smart components that allow you to change up your lighting scheme with a tap on a smartphone. Use smart plugs or timers to set lights to go on and off automatically, so you don’t accidentally leave them on when no one’s enjoying them. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, if everyone replaced their conventional holiday light strings with LEDs, the energy cost savings would be $850 million each year, and 9.9 billion pounds of annual greenhouse gas emission would be prevented. The savings would be equivalent to the emissions from 940,000 vehicles!

Recycle your old holiday lights.

Each year big box stores offers a holiday light exchange programs or recycle them at your local scrap metal dealer.

Go light-free.

Candles, the starry night sky and reflective ornaments and menorahs provide electricity-free holiday cheer.

Forage for your decor.

Pine cones, pretty branches (evergreen or bare), dried flowers, berry branches, and fruit will look gorgeous and can be composted or eaten when the season’s over.

Make your own ornaments.

Nature provides beautiful ornaments: gather a basket of evergreen branches, berries, flowers, fresh fruit, etc. and make ornaments. Make edible ornaments like seed bells, suet, and pinecones with peanut butter to hang around your yard and feed the local wildlife.

Skip the tinsel for the tree and avoid buying plastic decorations.

Clean using plant-based cleaners.

Prepare your home for house guests or holiday parties with plant based cleaners. Don’t use harmful chemicals during your clean up. There are dozens of options for natural cleaners that are plant based and will keep your house sparkling all year long.

Invest in reusables.

If you throw parties on the regular, it might be wise to invest in dishes you can break out for every holiday. When a lot of people are over, many people find it easier to use paper plates and plastic ware. Unfortunately, this leads to a whole lot of waste. Use actual dishes instead. The best is always going to be investing in reusables—even if those include 100% recycled hard plastic cups that you reuse for events. It will make clean up more difficult, but it will be far better.

Be smart about disposables.

Minimize single-use plastic products like cups, plates, and utensils during the holidays. Compostable items may seem like a better option, but they may not be as green as you imagine. Stay away from industrial compostable cups—that means they need to be thrown away in a special bin for pickup, but this is not widely available for home waste management.

Light natural candles.

Candles are a great way to make your home smell amazing during the holidays. However, lots of candles use petroleum-based wax that’s not great.. Purchase candles made from natural soy or beeswax to scent your home.

Buy and serve locally grown food whenever possible.

A local farmed roast or ham is much better than factory farm meat produced 1,000 miles away. Not only does local, organic food taste better, but you’ll also be doing your part for your community and the planet too.

Smarter alcohol options.

This is something most people do not think about, but you can purchase organic wines and local microbrews.

Cook multiple items in the same oven and run appliances on full loads.

This will help with electric bills.

Gift Giving

Give gifts such as a cookbook for leftovers or items that are reusable and refillable. Check the labels: You may be able to find great giftable items crafted from recycled or repurposed materials.

Get a gift they’re guaranteed to love.

Encourage kids (or adults) on your shopping list to create a very specific wish list, whether the old-form written variety or using an online registry like MyRegistry. That’ll help you ensure that your gift is a winner every single time—and avoid the hassles and waste of returns (or gifts that just create clutter until they’re given or thrown away).

Give your loved ones experiences instead.

Avoid the wrong sizes, the returns, and the gift wrapping altogether when you gift experiences instead. Whether you take your nephew for a trip to the zoo, your mom to a fancy tea, or surprise your family with an epic vacation, you’ll be giving priceless memories that they won’t get from the latest electronics.

Make your own gifts.

Edible gifts such as breads, cookies, cakes, dried fruits, nut mixes, canned goods, jams/jellies, or herbed vinegars make fantastic gifts. Use your arts and crafts skills to knit a scarf, crochet a hat or mittens, paint a watercolor, or design your own jewelry.

Shop local.

Locally manufactured items do not have to be shipped across the country, thus reducing the amount of vehicle pollution needed in order to get them to you.

Gift Wrapping

We throw away an estimated 228,000 miles of wrapping paper per year—which is almost enough for us to wrap the moon once. Being creative with wrapping is a great way to minimize waste.

Wrapping Paper

A common mistake many people make around the holidays is putting all their wrapping paper, tissue, ribbons, etc. into the recycling bin. Unfortunately, if your wrapping paper is metallic, has foil or glitter decorations on it, or has a texture to it, it is not recyclable. Including it in your recycling bin with other paper products could make an entire load unrecyclable.

Look for options, such as recycled brown kraft wrapping paper or recyclable wrap—or reuse old newspapers, magazines, or other paper around the house for a funky (yet still fun) wrap. And use only the amount of wrap that you need: loop string around gift boxes, then lay it out on paper to determine how much to cut for your gift wrap.

Ditch the wrapping paper completely. Hide unwrapped presents around the house and hold a holiday scavenger hunt for the kids to find them. What a fun, clever, low-waste idea!

Make the wrapping part of a gift. Gardening pots are easy to fill with gardening supplies. A mixing bowl or stockpot makes an excellent package for your favorite cook. A scarf (furoshiki-style) can wrap other clothing items. Sites like Living Ethos and Wrappr sell bags or pieces of cloth that can be reused every year for your gifts, or use scraps of fabric that are leftover from crafting projects. Save ribbons and paper gift bags to reuse the next year too.

Gift Bag Alternatives

Most tissue paper and gift bags aren’t recyclable at all. Instead of using single-use items, make a reusable bag part of your gift, with a tote or pouch.

Send e-cards instead of holiday cards

That adorable family photo that required 100 takes will likely end up in a landfill somewhere. So perhaps send your well wishes and annual family newsletter digitally instead. If you can’t say goodbye to the paper cards, look at sites like Paper Culture and Artifact Uprising that offer cards made on recycled paper—and skip the foil treatments so they can be recycled again.

Food Waste

Composting

Food waste that winds up in landfills during the holidays is measurable. Plan your menu and exactly how much food you’ll need to minimize food waste. Start your own compost pile to help divert food waste from landfills.

Give out leftovers.

Holiday parties always come with tons of leftovers—and you probably don’t need an extra half a cake and five pounds of turkey. So offer guests a parting gift of goodies to enjoy the next day. You can save and recycle plastic takeout containers for just that purpose, or use mason jars or paper bags. Donate leftover food to local food banks. Compost food that is not donated.

Holiday Traditions

1. Take a family nature hike. Bring a garbage bag to collect any litter you see along the way.
2. Plant a tree to symbolize the value of nature.
3. Bundle up and take a stroll to admire the holiday lights in your neighborhood.

 

Get Your Home Clean & Clutter Free For Christmas

Our homes are the “hub” of the holiday season. It’s where we gather to eat, play, and celebrate together. But let’s be honest, preparing our homes for the holidays can sometimes be overwhelming. The key to successful holiday cleaning is to start early: Plan to kick off your housekeeping tasks several days in advance. We’ve gathered our top ways to get your home sparkling clean this Christmas, leaving you time to actually enjoy the festivities.

#1: Start by playing holiday music. It’s an easy way to set the holiday mood and distract you from “chore aspect” of the tasks at hand.

#2: One big tip you can use to make sure your house is as clean as possible during the holidays is to deep clean while you decorate it. Since holiday decorating often requires you to shift around furniture and tabletop items (especially to make room for the tree), it’s a great idea to clean your house as your are putting out all your decorations. Begin by removing and storing your day-to-day décor that will be replaced with holiday decorations. Then dust and clean surfaces.

For example: We love a great wreath on a mirror. But before you hang a new wreath, use some of our favorite glass cleaner and lint-free wipes to just give everything a once over.

#3: And speaking about decorations… you don’t have to go overboard with decorations to make an amazing impact at this time of year. Think about the rooms that you will be socializing in, and focus on these first. Then look at having 1-2 key items in the room that will make a real statement instead of lots of little things that will just end up cluttering the space. Spend a day decorating and make it a tradition.

Choose a scented candle with a Christmassy aroma for instant festive cheer. Pine, cinnamon, gingerbread and cloves are a few of Santa’s favorite. Or make your own stovetop potpourri. Add water, cranberries, orange slices, cinnamon sticks and vanilla to a pot (along with any additional spices you like), bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. The warm smell of the holidays will fill the house in no time.

Create the best top table
: When setting the table for Christmas day, think about introducing some natural elements. Holly, berries, evergreen sprigs and pinecones all look beautiful and are easy and cheap to source. Set your dinner table the night before Christmas Day so you can fully enjoy it.

#4: Create a wrapping station. Having a designated space to store gift-wrapping materials not only makes the wrapping process easier, but also helps to prevent unnecessary spending on gift wrap, tape, and gift tags since you are able to easily assess what you have on hand. A desk in the home office or a dresser in the basement works wonderfully for a wrapping station. But a plastic or zippered cloth container that slides under the bed is also an option: simply put all wrapping supplies in the box and bring it out when it’s time to wrap.

#5: If guests are staying overnight, get the guest bedroom ready first so you don’t have to worry about it later. Dust surfaces and baseboards, vacuum, wash linens and make the bed and put out any extras to make their stay more comfortable, such as towels and wash cloths, and any welcoming gifts.

#6: Declutter. If you have kids, dedicate some time to clear out old toys and make room for the new ones. You can sell them on Ebay, Marketplace or donate to a charity shop of your choice. If you have a feeling that you will be getting a new clothes from Santa this Christmas, make sure you have enough space in your wardrobe. It’s great to have a clear out and donate old or never worn clothes and shoes to charity.

#7: Do a pantry audit. Throw out any expired spices, canned goods, and boxed foods. Apply the same rule you would to clothes in your closet: If you haven’t touched it in six months, toss it or donate it to a food bank. When you’re done, you’ll also have a good list of what you need to restock.

#8: Clean high-traffic areas. Vacuum, dust and wipe down surfaces.

#9: Since people like to congregate in the kitchen during Christmas, make sure your kitchen is ready. Take the time to wash down the walls and cabinets and clean appliances, including inside the refrigerator and oven. Make sure your dishwasher is working properly so it’s ready for all those dirty dishes. Sanitize countertops.

#10: Your main bathroom will be used more this season, so ensure that you scrub the floor, wipe down the toilet, and shower. Remove any gunk on the counter and sink. Disinfecting will help as there will be no need for re-scrubbing. Make sure that you have plenty of toilet paper.

#11: We’ve all got that nice set of cutlery or dining set that only makes an appearance on special occasions. Now is their time to shine – literally. Set the time aside to clean and polish your lovely kitchenware and make your Christmas meal even more memorable. Wash any special bowls or platters you may want to use throughout the season.

#12: Flip cushions. Lift the cushions of the sofa to vacuum up dust bunnies and crumbs that tend to congregate there, then flip them.

#13: Add mats. Winterize the area around your entryway to keep mud and snow from getting tracked inside all season long. Put a rough coir or rubber mat just outside the door for wiping off boots and an extra-absorbent mat (look for propylene versions) inside to rein in extra moisture.

#14: You’ll be doing a lot of laundry over the holidays so now is the time to get the laundry room prepped and ready for battle. Make sure you’re stocked up on supplies.

#15: Speaking about laundry, leave time to think about what you are going to wear on the big day. Your home shouldn’t be the only one dazzling your guests this Christmas. Plan your outfits for the festive period and make sure that they are spick and span and ready to show you off.

#16: Maintain It. Once you’ve got the house clean and tidy, try to avoid using any rooms you’ve cleaned unless you have to. Then all you have to do is a quick tidy-up (refresh countertops and floors) the day before your guests arrive.

The Key to Low Maintenance Cleaning

Typically, we design and decorate our homes to fit our sense of style—and then those decor choices dictate our cleaning routines. We dust our open shelving weekly, and wipe down the marble countertop daily. But what if we reversed the process? What if our homes were designed to make cleaning them as easy as possible? The smallest design decisions can have a big impact on the way you live in your home — especially when it comes to keeping it clean! If your goal is a low-maintenance home that requires very little time spent cleaning, there are key decor choices to make.

Wall and Paint Finish

Avoid matte paint finishes if you have young kids or messy pets who are likely to get errant crayon marks and smudgy fingerprints on the walls. Instead, opt for the smoothest, shiniest paint finish that will look good—typically eggshell for walls and semi-gloss for trim. On glossier surfaces, dirt and grime can be wiped away more easily.

Similarly, if you’re considering wall paper, go with a vinyl wall covering, which can be wiped off with a sponge.

Floors

Select a hard-surface floor with as few seams as possible. Hard wood floors are a great option, but they can be vulnerable to spills. Stained concrete and vinyl floors are an excellent choice. They can be easily cleaned by sweeping or mopping and more resistant to dirt and spills—virtually nothing can penetrate to cause stains. If you want tile floors, use a dark grout. Or at least reduce the number of grout lines by using larger tiles.

Hard-surface flooring is easier to keep clean than carpet. Keep carpet for bedroom areas and other relaxed spaces where you’re likely to be barefoot (and not spreading whatever can be found your shoes). If you must have carpet, consider using carpet tiles. If there’s a spill, simply pull up that tile and clean it in the sink. If a tile becomes damaged, you can replace that single tile rather than having to replace all of the carpeting. Carpet tiles are perfect for kid’s rooms and play areas.

Incorporate Indoor-Outdoor Rugs, especially when using light colors. They’re easy to clean. Frequent vacuuming keeps dirt from embedding and they almost always wipe clean with a wet cloth, but can be deep cleaned with a hose! They’re also very pet friendly!

Lighting

Go with recessed or pot lights. Light fixtures and chandeliers can quickly accumulate dust and cobwebs. Recessed lights do require a light dusting sometimes but they are much easier to maintain and look bright and modern, especially in the kitchen.

Kitchens

Cabinets

Choose slab-front cabinets. Not only do they look modern and streamlined, but they are much easier to keep clean than cabinets with intricate moulding with lots of crevices to collect dirt and dust. Make your cabinets stretch all the way to the ceiling if you can. If there’s no room between the top of your cupboards and your ceiling, they’ll be nowhere for dust to gather.

Countertops & Backsplash

Grout can be a chore to keep clean. Eliminate grout lines all together by replacing tile backsplash with stone slabs or full-sheet metal. For the same reason, avoid using tile for countertops. Instead, go with large slabs of quartz, Corian, laminate, granite, or concrete.

Sinks

An integrated or under-mount kitchen sink makes it easy to wipe messes from the counter right into the sink. There are no seams to collect gunk.

Appliances

Consider stainless steel alternatives. Stainless steel appliances look great but smudge and show finger prints easily. If you don’t clean them up quickly, they look dirty pretty fast. Try covering your dishwasher and refrigerator with easy to wipe clean panels.

Bathrooms

Floors & Walls

As with the kitchen, fewer grout lines in the bathroom means less cleaning. Use large tiles for the floors and walls.

Toilets & Sinks

Wall-mounted toilets and sinks make it easier to clean all sides of the fixtures as well as mop under them. Choose a toilet that is either fastened to the wall the whole way from top to bottom, or leaves enough space to clean the circumference. And if you really like your loo to be spick and span, try finding one that has a removable seat. A wall-mounted faucet will allow water to drain down into the sink rather than that collect around the base of the faucet, resulting is less gunk build-up.

Showers

Replace an enclosed shower with a door-less shower. This will eliminate the need to clean glass doors or shower curtains.

Laundry Room

Locate your laundry room next to your bedrooms, on the same floor if possible, to make it less work to get the laundry to and from the washing machine, eliminating the need to carry heavy baskets of laundry up and down stairs. Another option is to install a laundry chute.

Furniture with Legs

When shopping for couches, credenzas, sofa and side tables (and really all types of furniture), look for those elevated on legs. Even better: cabinets that attach directly to the wall and suspended off the ground. This way, you’ll be able to easily vacuum or sweep underneath them. For a hands-free cleaning routine, invest in a robotic vacuum that can do all the cleaning for you.

Sofa + Seating

You can’t prevent spills from happening, but you can make life easier for yourself by choosing an easy-to-clean sofa. Upholstery makes all the difference when you’re searching for an easy-clean sofa. Leather is easy to wipe clean—just be sure to sop up spills right away and condition it once per year. If you prefer fabric sofas, look for those with stain-repellant treatments or stain-resistant microfiber. Otherwise, choose a slipcovered sofa, so you can toss the cover in the washing machine whenever it needs a refresh. Darker colors will hide stains better, but it might not be the best option if you have a pet with white fur.

Shelving

Skip the floating and open Shelving. Elegantly styled shelfies look enviable on Instagram, but in reality, they require a lot of extra dusting. For a speedier cleaning routine, stick with glass front cabinets so you can show off your favorite items while keeping them dust-free.

Accessories

Cushions & Throw Pillows

We tend to go a little overboard with the throw pillows on sofas, chairs and our beds. For easier cleaning, consider cutting back on the number of throw cushions. Less can still add the burst of color or warmth you are looking for. Plus you can make the bed faster!

Wall Art

Although a gallery wall with frames displaying family pictures and artwork can look great, you can probably guess that we are going to say… that it’s just more dusting to do! Instead, opt for a larger statement piece so there is just one frame to look after.

Storage and More Storage

Incorporate built-in storage where ever possible throughout the house. Having a place for everything will help keep clutter from building up on surface areas. Things can’t be put away if there’s nowhere to put them, so always be keeping a lookout for sneaky storage opportunities like bench seating with built-in storage underneath or bedheads with shelving.

Is Your Laundry Detergent Toxic? A Closer Look

You might not think too much about what’s in your laundry detergent. Most of us have never really looked beyond the marketed cleaning power, fragrance, and price. But it’s important to be in the know. Why? Because although detergents leave your clothes smelling like a summer breeze, they often contain a mix of harmful chemicals that have negative side effects on our health—some chemicals can cause irritation and allergies. Not to mention that they damage our clothes and leave them faded and worn out. What’s more, every time we wash our clothes, these chemicals wash into our sewers and pollute our waterways.

The dangers of laundry detergents are real and that’s because most manufacturers are not required to reveal every ingredient that is used in their products. The ingredients that they do list are usually vague. Toxic chemicals are hidden behind complex words or secret numbers.

So just how toxic are traditional laundry detergents? Does it really matter what is in them so long as our clothes are clean? What is in your detergent may surprise and alarm you.

Plant Based Cleaning Products Vs. Regular Cleaning Products

In a world where chemicals are not explained, it can be hard to find laundry and household cleaners made with truly safe ingredients which can make you worry about using harsh chemicals unknowingly.

Conventional detergents are comprised of a concoction of fragrances, endocrine disruptors, neurotoxins and potent cancer-causing chemicals. So each piece of laundry you pull out of the washing machine contains toxic residues from detergents, which not only lingers in the fabric, but rubs off on your skin.

We also see a lot of “chemical free cleaning products” being advertised, but “chemicals” are simply a reaction between two or more substances (even water can be considered a chemical substance). No matter the formula, every cleaning product contains chemicals of some kind. Any claims of “chemical free household products” are erroneous, but there are plenty of products out there that use questionable ingredients like bleach, ammonia, and formaldehyde.

The Harmful Chemicals In Conventional Detergents

• Chlorine Bleach: Often found in cleaners and disinfectants, exposure to chlorine bleach has been linked to chronic respiratory problems (like asthma). Some people suffer from extreme allergic reactions, chemical burns, and permanent tissue damage. If swallowed, bleach will cause life long damage. Bleach is a carcinogen within laundry detergent and has been linked to throat and breast cancer. Bleach is involved in more household poisonings than any other chemical. Is it possible to whiten clothes without using bleach? Absolutely. And we’re happy to prove it to you.
• Optical Brighteners: You’ll find these in detergents advertising their “brightening” powers. Brighter whites! Brighter colors! What’s creating all this brightness? Chemicals that are formulated to intentionally remain on the clothes to reflect light to help clothes “appear” brighter. Optical brighteners are meant to make clothes, especially white ones, appear whiter by converting UV light into visible light. Optical brighteners have the capacity to make skin become photo-reactive and more sensitive to sun exposure. Many people develop skin irritation and rashes from exposure to optical brighteners. Not to mention that they are toxic to fish and cause bacterial mutations!
• Formaldehyde: Formaldehyde is a low-cost preservative and antibacterial agent commonly used in detergents and dishwashing liquids. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen that can also cause skin irritation and allergic responses. Regular contact with formaldehyde can cause allergic reactions such as eczema and contact dermatitis. Daily contact with formaldehyde is toxic to humans and has been linked with cancer. Check your detergent label for mention of this ingredient or look up the manufacturer’s website for more information. It may also be known as Formalin, Formic aldehyde, Methanediol, Methanal, Methyl aldehyde, Methylene glycol, Methylene oxide.
• Nonylphenol Ethoxylates: A notorious chemical that is a known endocrine disruptor in humans and animals, nonylphenol ethoxylated is banned in several European countries, but not in India. The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) identified it as a chemical of global concern in its region-based Assessment of Persistent Toxic Substances. It disrupts endocrine function by mimicking estrogen, so that, with repeated exposure, our bodies won’t be able to tell the difference between estrogen and nonylphenol ethoxylate. The chemical is not biodegradable and remains in the soil, groundwater and surface water bodies for several years where it is highly toxic to marine organisms.
• Benzene: The most commonly used benzene-based surfactants in laundry detergents are alkylbenzene sulphonates (ABS) and linear alkylbenzene sulphonates (LAS). Surfactants lower the surface tension between the liquid and the stains on clothing, suspend the dirt particles in the water and make them easier to dissolve and wash off. Indoor air has high levels of benzene, emitted by household products such as detergents, paint and furniture polish. It irritates the skin, nose and eyes, and is toxic to aquatic life.
• Phosphates: Phosphates make detergents more effective by reducing the action of calcium and magnesium and making water less hard. The most commonly used phosphate in detergents is sodium tripolyphosphate. Despite their effectiveness, phosphates have been banned in several American states and European countries because of their adverse impact on water bodies. Phosphates lead to the buildup of algal blooms in lakes and rivers, which deprives marine organisms of oxygen supply, thus killing them.
• Petroleum distillates (aka napthas): These are solvents used to dissolve dirt, grease and grime that have been linked to mucus membrane damage, lung damage and inflammation, asthma, and cancer. They are derived from synthetic crude oil.
• Phthalates: These endocrine-disrupting “plasticizer” chemicals are everywhere in modern society. They are widely used chemicals that pollute almost everyone’s bodies. They are often used in soft plastics like PVC and a component in some fragrances.
• Synthetic Fragrances: The fragrances in conventional laundry detergents are a mixture of about 4,000 chemicals, many of which are petroleum derivatives. We smell them because they vaporize into the air where they release harmful Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) such as terpenes which pollute indoor air. Harsh artificial fragrances are known to irritate the respiratory system and cause problems such as asthma. Opt for a detergent that is fragrance-free or contains a mild aroma.
• Harmful Dyes: Some dyes cause developmental and reproductive toxicity. They can be an endocrine disrupter which is linked to risks involving fetal development, reproductive systems, brain, immune and other problems.

Is Your Laundry Detergent Toxic? A Closer Look

You might not think too much about what’s in your laundry detergent. Most of us have never really looked beyond the marketed cleaning power, fragrance, and price. But it’s important to be in the know. Why? Because although detergents leave your clothes smelling like a summer breeze, they often contain a mix of harmful chemicals that have negative side effects on our health—some chemicals can cause irritation and allergies. Not to mention that they damage our clothes and leave them faded and worn out. What’s more, every time we wash our clothes, these chemicals wash into our sewers and pollute our waterways.

The dangers of laundry detergents are real and that’s because most manufacturers are not required to reveal every ingredient that is used in their products. The ingredients that they do list are usually vague. Toxic chemicals are hidden behind complex words or secret numbers.

So just how toxic are traditional laundry detergents? Does it really matter what is in them so long as our clothes are clean? What is in your detergent may surprise and alarm you.

Plant Based Cleaning Products Vs. Regular Cleaning Products

In a world where chemicals are not explained, it can be hard to find laundry and household cleaners made with truly safe ingredients which can make you worry about using harsh chemicals unknowingly.

Conventional detergents are comprised of a concoction of fragrances, endocrine disruptors, neurotoxins and potent cancer-causing chemicals. So each piece of laundry you pull out of the washing machine contains toxic residues from detergents, which not only lingers in the fabric, but rubs off on your skin.

We also see a lot of “chemical free cleaning products” being advertised, but “chemicals” are simply a reaction between two or more substances (even water can be considered a chemical substance). No matter the formula, every cleaning product contains chemicals of some kind. Any claims of “chemical free household products” are erroneous, but there are plenty of products out there that use questionable ingredients like bleach, ammonia, and formaldehyde.

The Harmful Chemicals In Conventional Detergents

• Chlorine Bleach: Often found in cleaners and disinfectants, exposure to chlorine bleach has been linked to chronic respiratory problems (like asthma). Some people suffer from extreme allergic reactions, chemical burns, and permanent tissue damage. If swallowed, bleach will cause life long damage. Bleach is a carcinogen within laundry detergent and has been linked to throat and breast cancer. Bleach is involved in more household poisonings than any other chemical. Is it possible to whiten clothes without using bleach? Absolutely. And we’re happy to prove it to you.
• Optical Brighteners: You’ll find these in detergents advertising their “brightening” powers. Brighter whites! Brighter colors! What’s creating all this brightness? Chemicals that are formulated to intentionally remain on the clothes to reflect light to help clothes “appear” brighter. Optical brighteners are meant to make clothes, especially white ones, appear whiter by converting UV light into visible light. Optical brighteners have the capacity to make skin become photo-reactive and more sensitive to sun exposure. Many people develop skin irritation and rashes from exposure to optical brighteners. Not to mention that they are toxic to fish and cause bacterial mutations!
• Formaldehyde: Formaldehyde is a low-cost preservative and antibacterial agent commonly used in detergents and dishwashing liquids. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen that can also cause skin irritation and allergic responses. Regular contact with formaldehyde can cause allergic reactions such as eczema and contact dermatitis. Daily contact with formaldehyde is toxic to humans and has been linked with cancer. Check your detergent label for mention of this ingredient or look up the manufacturer’s website for more information. It may also be known as Formalin, Formic aldehyde, Methanediol, Methanal, Methyl aldehyde, Methylene glycol, Methylene oxide.
• Nonylphenol Ethoxylates: A notorious chemical that is a known endocrine disruptor in humans and animals, nonylphenol ethoxylated is banned in several European countries, but not in India. The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) identified it as a chemical of global concern in its region-based Assessment of Persistent Toxic Substances. It disrupts endocrine function by mimicking estrogen, so that, with repeated exposure, our bodies won’t be able to tell the difference between estrogen and nonylphenol ethoxylate. The chemical is not biodegradable and remains in the soil, groundwater and surface water bodies for several years where it is highly toxic to marine organisms.
• Benzene: The most commonly used benzene-based surfactants in laundry detergents are alkylbenzene sulphonates (ABS) and linear alkylbenzene sulphonates (LAS). Surfactants lower the surface tension between the liquid and the stains on clothing, suspend the dirt particles in the water and make them easier to dissolve and wash off. Indoor air has high levels of benzene, emitted by household products such as detergents, paint and furniture polish. It irritates the skin, nose and eyes, and is toxic to aquatic life.
• Phosphates: Phosphates make detergents more effective by reducing the action of calcium and magnesium and making water less hard. The most commonly used phosphate in detergents is sodium tripolyphosphate. Despite their effectiveness, phosphates have been banned in several American states and European countries because of their adverse impact on water bodies. Phosphates lead to the buildup of algal blooms in lakes and rivers, which deprives marine organisms of oxygen supply, thus killing them.
• Petroleum distillates (aka napthas): These are solvents used to dissolve dirt, grease and grime that have been linked to mucus membrane damage, lung damage and inflammation, asthma, and cancer. They are derived from synthetic crude oil.
• Phthalates: These endocrine-disrupting “plasticizer” chemicals are everywhere in modern society. They are widely used chemicals that pollute almost everyone’s bodies. They are often used in soft plastics like PVC and a component in some fragrances.
• Synthetic Fragrances: The fragrances in conventional laundry detergents are a mixture of about 4,000 chemicals, many of which are petroleum derivatives. We smell them because they vaporize into the air where they release harmful Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) such as terpenes which pollute indoor air. Harsh artificial fragrances are known to irritate the respiratory system and cause problems such as asthma. Opt for a detergent that is fragrance-free or contains a mild aroma.
• Harmful Dyes: Some dyes cause developmental and reproductive toxicity. They can be an endocrine disrupter which is linked to risks involving fetal development, reproductive systems, brain, immune and other problems.