My two year old son recently spent a week in the hospital after suffering a severe respiratory infection. While he had been a healthy baby, now we suspect that he may be suffering from both asthma and seasonal allergies too.
During the week of his hospitalization, I had a meltdown. I sent my husband to stay with him at the hospital while I frantically cleaned our home. I hadn’t slept for days and I was determined to kill whatever virus landed him in there in the first place. With my bottle of three-in-one cleaner in hand, I sprayed everything from his bedding…to the walls. (I think I even sprayed the dog). As I looked at our sparkling clean bathroom I took a deep breath. My entire home smelled like bleach.
Suddenly, I stopped in my tracks. “What if the chemical smell irritates him?” “What exactly did I just cover my home with?” “Was I doing more harm than good?” When we returned from the hospital, I began to rethink my cleaning and air-freshener choices.
I remember reading Nicole’s post about frugal air freshener choices. This was exactly what I was looking for. I threw out many of the intense, chemical-laden freshener sprays I’d been using along with the “stick up” I’d placed in his room. (He’s only two and his room *already* smells like boy).
I replaced all of those products with a simple, and inexpensive solution. Every time we eat apples, oranges or other fruits I save the peels. I place the peels along with some vanilla, cinnamon and cloves into a pot on the stove and simmer it. It literally covers our entire home and it smells like I’d been baking pies all day. (Which disappointed my husband because I don’t bake).
I also threw out many of my cleaning sprays and replaced them with vinegar and baking soda solutions. (Thanks again, Nicole for all of the the great frugal cleaning options using vinegar!)
While I started my “cleaning makeover” mainly for the health of my son, I discovered an added benefit. I am saving a considerable amount of money. It seemed every week I was buying the latest and greatest germ killer, or “sink-sparkler” when I had inexpensive and healthier options right in my fridge and pantry.