Why I Changed the Way I Clean (and What I Use Now)

Originally published March 2020 · Updated to reflect current practices and understanding

This post is part of an ongoing clean living series documenting what actually held up in our home from 2020 onward.

In 2020, like many people, I was cleaning more than usual. What I didn’t fully understand at the time was how much the cleaning itself was contributing to my own symptoms.

I live with autoimmune disease, and repeated exposure to harsh cleaners—especially fragranced disinfectants and frequent bleaching—took a real toll. Hair loss, respiratory irritation, headaches, and skin reactions weren’t subtle.

This post isn’t about fear, shortages, or sterilizing your home. It’s about how I eventually simplified the way I clean in a way that’s actually effective and far easier on the body.

The real goal of cleaning

Most routine household cleaning is not about killing every microbe.

It’s about removing excess bacteria, residue, and debris so they don’t accumulate where they don’t belong.

That distinction matters—because how you remove bacteria is just as important as what you use.

Mechanical removal comes first

The foundation of how I clean now is mechanical removal.

Water alone only works when it’s paired with the right cloth.

High-quality microfiber cloths physically lift and trap bacteria and debris instead of spreading it around. Cloths infused with silver are especially effective, as silver has natural antimicrobial properties that support this process.

I still use the Norwex cloths I already own. They’re durable, effective, and there’s no sense in discarding something that still works.

That said, if I were starting from scratch, I would prioritize cotton cloths infused with silver over synthetic microfiber where possible. While microfiber is effective, it can contribute microplastics to water systems over time, and choosing lower-impact options is a reasonable step toward better environmental stewardship.

Used correctly, quality cloths paired with water handle the majority of everyday cleaning without adding unnecessary chemical load to the home.

When I layer in simple chemistry

Mechanical removal does most of the work. From there, I layer in simple tools as needed—not out of fear, but out of practicality.

Soap

A small amount of gentle soap is useful for greasy buildup, bathrooms, and situations where organic matter needs to be broken down. This doesn’t need to be complicated or fragranced.

White distilled vinegar

White distilled vinegar is one of my most-used cleaning tools.

Its acidity makes it effective for:

Glass and mirrors
Mineral buildup
Grease and residue

It’s inexpensive, widely available, and works well when paired with cloth-based cleaning. It’s not appropriate for every surface and should never be mixed with bleach.

Essential oils (optional, supportive)

I sometimes add essential oils to simple cleaning solutions. These are not required for cleaning to work, but they can be a supportive addition.

I use NOW essential oils, available through my Fullscript dispensary:

Fullscript Dispensary Account Setup (free)

Common options include eucalyptus, tea tree, and citrus oils like lemon, orange or lime.* Essential oils are not a substitute for proper cleaning, but they can complement simple routines when used appropriately.

Note: Citrus oils should not be used with granite, marble or any natural stone countertops.

When true disinfection is appropriate

I don’t disinfect everything all the time—but there are situations where proper sanitation matters.

For those moments, I use hypochlorous acid (HOCl).

HOCl is a compound the body naturally produces as part of the immune response. It’s widely used in medical, wound care, and clinical settings because it’s effective while remaining far lower in toxicity than conventional disinfectants.

This makes it my preferred option when stronger sanitation is needed without the respiratory and immune burden of harsh chemical cleaners.

EcoloxTech HOCl System

Clean living isn’t about control

Our homes—and our bodies—have their own protective systems. When we constantly override them with harsh chemicals, we often create the very problems we’re trying to prevent.

Simplifying the way I clean didn’t make my home less safe. It made it more livable.

For families dealing with autoimmune disease, asthma, or chemical sensitivity, thoughtful and measured approaches tend to support both health and the environment better over time.