Mindful Cleaning: Why You Need to Clean Your Home Today

Guest Blogger Alice Robertson from Tidy Home would love to share her wisdom on mindful cleaning and how keeping your home tidy can be a practice for self-care and wellness. I felt connected to her message when she reached out to me. Growing up my mom would always say if you feel depressed just start cleaning. I used to think that was so random but now I know that having a clean home feels so refreshing. When my surroundings feel messy then most likely my mind is messy too. 

Cleaning can sneak up on us.

We forget to vacuum, changing our sheets gets put on hold, or we can’t find the duster. Yet, living in a dirty space can be detrimental to our mental and physical well-being. Breathing in those toxins can do damage not only to us but to our families as well. This is why it’s so important to ensure you’re cleaning on a regular basis.

Tackling Allergens

Allergens make us stuffy, wheezy, and miserable. Unfortunately, prolonged exposure to allergens can cause children to develop asthma. This goes beyond dust, smoke, and dander, and can be mold, old paint, or any number of other allergens. However, this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be dusting. You should, but do so in a way that collects the dust, rather than sending it scattering into the air. Vacuuming will remove dust and other allergens from carpet, so try to do so at least once a week. When you do the laundry, don’t overlook pillows, rugs, and curtains. All of these cloths can harbor allergens, which can affect how well we breathe. If you have a furry pet, have them groomed weekly, and their sleeping area cleaned frequently to lower your risk of dander intake. Each step adds up to keep you and your family more healthy overall.

Removing Dangerous Toxins

The danger of keeping toxic chemicals around our families goes beyond temporary illness. Toxins can actually cause neurodevelopmental disorders, the likes of which include autism. If you are attempting to start a family, they may even impede fertility. Being around them when pregnant may lead to the brain development of baby according to Frederica Perera, a professor of environmental health sciences at Columbia University. Avoid pesticides, and wash all fruit and vegetables thoroughly as they can cause ADHD in children.

Phthalates can cause a decrease in IQ and, unfortunately, are in everything from soap to hairspray to perfume to food packaging. Use unscented products when you can, toss any scented sprays you have, and avoid plastics labeled with NO. 3, 6, and 7. Try to air out your home as often as you can, and avoid burning anything indoors. Ditch traditional chemicals and instead go for natural cleaning products or ones that are biodegradable.

Cleaning When You Have No Time

Of course, there are always little tricks you can do when trying to find ways to make time for cleaning.

You can spend less time at work, sacrifice 10 minutes of sleep, and cut back on the time you relax in the evening by just a few minutes. Little bits can add up to big change, but you also deserve time to yourself and with your family. You and your loved ones can also cut back on the clutter of stuff in the home, which makes cleaning even easier. Clean in chunks rather than trying to handle everything at once, as this can be overwhelming. We may put off starting when we feel overwhelmed. If you are spread too thin, you could hire a cleaning service to help give you a boost. Look for what is available in your area, and see what options fit your budget. Any help toward health is definitely a good thing.

The Mental Health Benefits of Cleanliness

Humans, by nature, like things to be organized. When our homes are in a state of chaos, it usually means our minds and emotions are too.

If clutter is persistent in our houses, we may have a difficult time focusing on just about anything we set our minds to. Studies suggest that people with clean homes are happier and healthier. With a cleaner, greener home, we are less exposed to toxins and allergens, which can make us sick. You will also not have to deal with that creeping feeling of knowing you should be cleaning when you’re trying to relax in a messy home. Guilt is not a good feeling, and not thinking about needing to clean brings peace of mind.

Cleaning may not be fun, but it is a necessary part of our lives. You don’t need to devote hours and hours to it but do some every single day. Your family’s health and emotional wellness will thank you for the work you put in.