Your summer cleaning guide

Everything you need to effectively clean your home.

In a nutshell Hello, friends! When spring sprang a few months ago, we sent you a list of cleaning tips. The cleaning fun never stops, so let's keep that conversation going and give you more ways to effectively clean your house this summer and beyond. With the help of newsletter intern Caroline Parrish, we're covering the following topics today: • When to use natural cleaners versus disinfectants • A must-have vacuum, air purifier, and all-purpose spray • Which health benefits houseplants really offer • How many dust mites typically live in your mattress? Be well, Morgan Mandriota Newsletter Editor, Healthline

Written by Morgan Mandriota August 7, 2023 • 5 min read

what's got us buzzing How effective are natural cleaners? Plus, when to use which Which is better: clean or disinfected?. While cleaning agents remove visible dirt and debris from surfaces, disinfectants get rid of harmful germs. Each one has its perks and proper place in the home, which we'll get into below. 🍋 When and how to go natural. Here are some natural cleaners to try to make your surfaces sparkle. Tried and true: vinegar. You may have already heard that distilled vinegar makes an efficient cleaning agent, but did you know how versatile it really is? Try shining up glass, countertops, tile, and even floors with white vinegar (it's colorless, so it doesn't stain). You can also add a few drops of essential oil to cut that sharp odor. Get zesty with lemons. You can also try soaking lemon rinds in white vinegar for a few weeks. Remove the rinds, mix the vinegar-lemon solution with water, and voilà! A new antimicrobial, antifungal cleaning solution great for cleaning fridges, trash cans, and stainless steel appliances. When do you need chemical cleaners? Unfortunately, vinegar can't fix everything. Bleach is effective at killing mold, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using diluted bleach as a disinfectant for household surfaces. You may want to use this or another disinfectant when cleaning your toilet, shower, or bathtub. ⚠️ If you decide to try out these cleaning tips, make sure not to mix bleach and vinegar. When combined with any other acid, bleach produces chlorine gas, which can be lethal. Get clean, but stay safe! Read more: The 14 best natural and eco-friendly cleaning products 18 easy and green DIY recipes to clean all the things The difference between disinfecting and sterilizing

great finds Editor faves with health perks       Shark Stratos Cordless Vacuum Expensive? Yes. Worth every penny? Yes. I'm obsessed with this lightweight cordless vacuum, with its clean sense IQ feature that revs up according to your dirty floor and surface's needs. SHOP NOW     Clorox Large Smart Air Purifier If you've been reading Wellness Wire for a while, you know I love my air purifiers. This one lives in my hallway, effectively eliminating my cat's litter box odor and other allergens. SHOP NOW     Method All-Purpose Cleaning Spray, Lavender Lavender is my all-time favorite scent. I've been using Method's cleaning spray for years on all surfaces to get rid of dust and dirt and freshen up the smell of my home. SHOP NOW Every product we recommend has gone through Healthline's vetting process. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline is owned by RVO Health.

Monday Kick Start Don't rely on houseplants to clean your air In 1989, NASA conducted a study on how houseplants could affect air quality. They found that keeping plants inside could help destroy viruses and bacteria, leading to a healthier environment. Now that it's more than 30 years old, do those results still hold up? In so many words, no. Actually, that study never had significant results. The catch was that NASA conducted these tests in sealed plexiglass rooms, which did nothing to emulate the environment we live in day-to-day. In our much messier, less controlled lives, houseplants are not efficient enough to have any significant effect on air quality. While one 2011 study found that some species of plants may freshen air (e.g., bamboo, rubber, spider), newer studies claim you would need a "large" number of plants — probably thousands — in your home to achieve an air purifying effect. Sorry, but you're better off buying an air purifier. What can a house plant do for you? A lot of other stuff! Research suggests that indoor plants are most effective at improving mental health and productivity. Green space can decrease heart rate and blood pressure as well. As a parent to a million plants, I personally believe they liven up a space and feel good to take care of. What kind of houseplant is best? That depends on your lifestyle, how much effort you want to put into caring for it, and whether you're worried about your pet eating it. Check out this list to see which kind of plant would best fit your needs. If you're worried about forgetting to water your new green child, take a peek at this list of plants that are very forgiving.

Health Hype How many dust mites live in your mattress? (Find the answer at the end of this email)

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Health Hype Answer How many dust mites live in your mattress? 100,000–10,000,000! According to the CDC, anywhere from 100,000–10 million mites live in the typical used mattress. Not to fear! Mites living in our things is a natural part of life and doesn't call for concern. But if you think you may be allergic to dust mites (i.e., your sheets make you itch), consider taking allergy medication, vacuuming your bed, getting a mattress protector, or reading more about the symptoms of and remedies for dust mite allergies.

Thanks for reading! We hope you'll put these cleaning tips to good use. I don't know about you, but I truly believe that a clean home is a happy home. Ginger will be back in your inbox on Wednesday. See you then.

Until next time, Take care of yourself, and we'll see you again soon!     This edition was powered by a breath of fresh air.   View in browser Did a friend send you this email? Subscribe here. To see all newsletters, click here. Privacy    |    Unsubscribe Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Healthline does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice from a healthcare professional. Healthline encourages you to make any treatment decisions with your healthcare professional. Healthline is owned by RVO Health. © 2023 Healthline Media LLC 275 7th Ave., 24th Floor New York, NY 10001