HOME-LIFE WELLNESS

50 Home Hacks To Create a Healthy Kitchen & Living Environment

50 Home Hacks To Create a Healthy Kitchen & Living Environment

MAKE YOUR HOME HAPPY, HEALTHY, ORGANIZED

A healthy home is a happy home, and one key aspect of overall wellness is maintaining a clean and conducive living space.

But we get it. Maintaining a clean and healthy home environment often takes a backseat in the hustle and bustle of daily life.

However, a few clever hacks can make the process more manageable while promoting overall wellness. Which is all we want for you, really!

In this blog post, we'll explore 50 clever home wellness hacks to make cleaning and living in your home easier and healthier.

From simple daily routines to unconventional cleaning methods, these hacks will help you create a home that promotes physical and mental well-being.

KITCHEN HACKS

1. Lemon and Kosher Salt Magic

Clean your chopping board by sprinkling Kosher salt, then rub it with half a lemon. Rinse with water for a fresh, chemical-free surface.

2. Oven Refresh

Mix vinegar and baking soda to create a powerful oven cleaner. Apply the mixture, let it sit, and effortlessly wipe away grime and grease.

3. Fresh Fridge Trick

Combat unwanted odors in the fridge, freezer, or pantry by placing a bowl of activated charcoal to absorb and neutralize smells.

4. Herb-Infused Ice Cubes

Freeze fresh herbs in ice cube trays with water or broth. Pop these cubes into recipes for a burst of flavor and added nutrients. This is especially useful when herbs are on their way out.

5. DIY Produce Wash

Mix vinegar and water to create an effective fruit and vegetable wash, removing pesticides and bacteria for a healthier diet.

6. Double-Duty Citrus Peels

Use citrus peels to make a DIY cleaner by soaking them in a mixture of 50/50 vinegar and water for 3 weeks. The result is a fragrant, natural solution for cleaning. Replace weekly. Don't use it on hardwood floors, marble or granite tops, or stainless steel. Use for chopping boards, inside the refrigerator, and ceramic surfaces.

7. Magnetic Spice Rack

Save counter space by storing spices on a magnetic strip inside your cabinet door. Easily accessible and organized!

8. Silica Gel in Sugar and Salt Jars

If you live in a humid area, you can prevent sugar and salt from clumping by placing silica gel packets in the sugar jar to absorb excess moisture. You could also add some rice.

9. Garbage Disposal Freshener

Toss citrus peels and ice cubes into the garbage disposal to clean and freshen it naturally.

10. Non-Toxic Microwave Freshener

Combine water and lemon slices in a bowl, then microwave for a few minutes. Wipe away stains and odors effortlessly.

11. Smart Pantry Practices

Keep a rotating stock of pantry items to prevent expired goods. The concept is FIFO—first in, first out.

12. Keep Things Fresh For Longer

Store grains, cereals, dry beans, nuts, and seeds in airtight containers to deter pests and maintain freshness.

13. Make It Smell Nice

Simmer citrus peels and herbs in water on the stove for a natural, inviting aroma.

14. Reusable Cleaning Cloths

Opt for reusable cloths instead of disposable wipes to reduce waste and environmental impact.

15. Reusable Grocery Bags Wash

Regularly wash reusable grocery bags to prevent bacteria buildup and potential cross-contamination. Reusable bags are also good for the environment!

16. Microwave Sponge Sterilization

Wet and microwave your kitchen sponge in a bowl for 1-2 minutes to kill bacteria and eliminate odors.

17. Mindful Meal Planning

Plan meals in advance to reduce last-minute stress and unhealthy food choices.

Read more: The benefits of meal planning and how to get started

Living environment hacks

Living environment hacks

18. Phone and Remote Sanitizing

Regularly clean your phone, remote controls, doorknobs, and light switches with a disinfectant wipe or a mixture of water and rubbing alcohol to eliminate germs.

19. Use Those Old Toothbrushes

Use an old toothbrush to clean keyboard keys and hard-to-reach areas like window tracks.

20. High Surfaces Reminder

Wipe down often-neglected high surfaces like fan blades, curtain rails, cabinets, and light bulbs to reduce dust and allergens. Choose one or two per week and keep the cycle going. 

21. Easy Blind Cleaning

Clean blinds with a 50-50 solution of vinegar and water using an old sock.

22. Purify The Air Naturally

Regularly open the windows (unless the outside air is heavily polluted), use DIY salt lamps, and avoid dry dusting that simply moves the dust to another surface.

23. Houseplants for Air Quality

Incorporate houseplants like spider plants and snake plants to naturally purify indoor air.

23. Choose Beeswax Candles

Beeswax candles ionize the air and neutralize toxic compounds. They also burn without smoke and can remove dust from the air

24. Shoe-Free Zone

Establish a shoe-free policy at home to minimize dirt and pollutants brought indoors.

25. Natural Fabric Refresher

Mix 2 cups water, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 15 drops of your favorite essential oil in a spray bottle. Spritz onto curtains, upholstery, and carpets for a natural, refreshing scent.

26. DIY Room Spray

Create a homemade room spray by mixing water and a few drops of essential oil in a spray bottle for a chemical-free air freshener.

Read more: The hype behind essential oils

bedroom & bathroom hacks

27. Baking Soda Mattress Cleaner

Once a month, sprinkle baking soda on your mattress, spritz with a 50/50 water/vinegar mixture, let it sit and dry, and vacuum it up for a fresh, odor-free sleeping surface. This also helps to rid those pesky bedbugs.

28. Freshen It Up

Freshen up your mattress and pillows weekly with a half/half solution of bleach and water, plus a few drops of lavender essential oil. The bleach will help with stains, and the lavender will give a calming scent. Do not spray on your sheets, as the bleach will stain it.

29. Aromatherapy Diffuser

Invest in an essential oil diffuser to continuously release calming scents in your bedroom and throughout your home.

30. Daily Bed-Making Routine

Make your bed daily for a quick and effective way to create a neat and inviting bedroom space. This is also a great habit to start your daily routine and maintain momentum.

31. Pillow Rotation

Rotate and flip your pillows regularly to ensure even wear and promote a healthy sleep environment.

32. Shower Squeegee Routine

After every shower, spray a vinegar and water solution and use a squeegee on glass doors to prevent mold and mineral buildup, promoting a cleaner bathroom. Remember to replace this squeegee often.

33. Vinegar Hair Rinse

Every once a week, rinse your hair with a vinegar rinse for a natural shine and scalp health boost. This is a great way to remove product buildup.

34. Tea Tree Oil Shower Spray

Mix water and tea tree oil in a spray bottle and spray in corners on silicone rubbers to prevent mold growth in the shower.

35. Shower Curtain Liner Wash

Throw your shower curtain liner in the washing machine with a cup of vinegar to eliminate mold and soap scum.

Read more:

How to develop a new healthy habit in 60 days (or less)

bonus home hacks

bonus home hacks

36. Cabinet Drawer Dividers

Use dividers in your kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom drawers to keep items organized, easily accessible, and identifiable. 

37. Have a Drop Zone

Designate a "drop zone" and use some baskets for items like keys, mail, sunglasses, and work shoes to prevent clutter.

38. Daily & Quarterly Decluttering

Before bedtime, do a quick 10-minute cleanup to maintain a tidy living space. On a quarterly basis, see which items you don't need or use anymore and throw away or donate them.

39. DIY Cleaning Calendar

Create a cleaning schedule to break tasks into manageable chunks, ensuring a consistently clean and healthy home.

40. Maximize Vertical Space

Utilize vertical space with shelves or hanging organizers to maximize storage without crowding your living floor space.

41. Sunlight Exposure

Open curtains and blinds during the day to allow natural sunlight in, boosting mood and disinfecting surfaces.

42. Mindful Lighting

Use natural light whenever possible to enhance mood and energy levels. Choose warm-toned bulbs in living spaces for a cozy and relaxing atmosphere.

42. Hydration Station

Keep a water dispenser in the kitchen to encourage regular hydration, supporting overall well-being. Have lemons, oranges, and berries already cut up and stored in containers to add to your water for flavor.

43. DIY All-Purpose Cleaner

Create an all-purpose cleaner by combining water, vinegar, and a few drops of your preferred essential oil.

44. DIY Fabric Softener

Mix vinegar and essential oils to create a natural fabric softener, reducing exposure to harsh chemicals.

45. Olive Oil Wonder

Olive oil is not just for cooking. Add a few drops to a microfiber cloth, buff your stainless steel fittings, or polish your wooden furniture.

46. Carpet Stain Busters

Blot the spillage, then pour clear vodka or rubbing alcohol onto the stain, let it sit for a while, and clean up with a dry cloth. You can also spray a 1:3 vinegar-to-water ratio on the stain, lay a clean cotton cloth on top, use your iron on its highest steam setting, and run it over the stain for about 10 seconds. 

47. Clean Your Vents

Run your floor and ceiling vents through your dishwasher. Use a water-only cycle (no soap), and remove and dry immediately when done. Not suitable for wood or plastic vents.

48. Goodbye Pet Hair

Normal vacuuming is insufficient to remove pet hair. Put on rubber gloves, and slide your hands over your clothes, couches, carpets, etc., to pick up the remaining pet hair.

49. To-Do Lists

Yes, to-do lists do work! Create monthly, weekly, and daily to-do lists to track what needs to be done and what has been done. You'll feel in control and have a sense of accomplishment once you tick items off.

50. Buy In Bulk

Buying groceries and cleaning items in bulk can save you money, time, and energy.

Read more: A look at all our bulk foods on offer