With winter ills and chills getting us down, it’s a good time to make the transition to a toxin-free home. And while it might seem like stocking up on chemical-laden cleaning products is a sure-fire way to blitz the bacteria, eco-friendly, low allergen products are much better for your health long term.
Read on for our simple tips for keeping your home clean and making the transition towards a greener living environment for you and your family this winter.
Keep an eye out for mould
Mould and mildew flourish in winter’s cold damp conditions and many New Zealand houses don’t have adequate ventilation.
If you find your leather footwear is getting furry or your clothes are smelly musty, invest in a moisture absorber for your wardrobe and keep the doors of your closet open to allow air to circulate.
If you have a shower curtain, wash it regularly in the washing machine with a few towels, then hang it back up to dry.
Clean your children’s’ toys often
Toys are a breeding ground for bacteria, so keep them as clean as possible by putting them through a wash cycle as often as you can prise them away from little hands.
If you have smaller plastic items such as lego, put them in a laundry bag in the dishwasher for a thorough clean.
Ease up on the dry cleaning
Traditional dry cleaning is one of the most chemical-laden methods of “washing” around. If you can find an eco-friendly dry cleaning service in your area, consider making the switch.
If that’s not possible, make sure to remove your clothing from the plastic garment bags as soon as you can and air them outside for a few hours before hanging them back in your wardrobe.
Buy organic cotton
Eating organic food is better for our bodies as we know the products we’re ingesting are not laden with toxic fertilisers and other chemical compounds.
Likewise, if you’re in the market for new bedding, do your research and see if you can find organic, untreated sheets, blankets and pillows too.
And always make sure you put new bedding through a wash cycle before making the bed to get rid of any residue that may be present from the manufacturing process.
Choose eco-friendly cleaning products
Plant and mineral-based cleaners are the safest way to keep your surfaces clean. Check the ingredients list before you buy and avoid products that contain potentially harmful chemicals such as cocamidopropyl betaine (a surfactant), synthetic perfumes and dyes, and benzalkonium chloride (which can be damaging to birds, fish and aquatic life).
Ecostore products tick all the boxes when it comes to eco-friendly home cleaning, by formulating with gentle plant and mineral-based ingredients that allow you to clean effectively without harsh chemicals.
For more information visit ecostore
