Detoxing the Home…
Posted by spillay on May 13, 2008
OK. So I’ve had a go at being a Vegetarian last week and had such a blast doing it too!! And thanks to a very interesting read on Julia’s blog site (Ayurwhat?), I am now officially referring to myself as a Part-Time Vegetarian! :) Yahooo!!
So, keeping up with the general theme, I have decided that this week I am going to detox my home!! I am going to attempt to do a “deep clean” of every room and every corner. Clearing clutter and cobwebs. Tossing out broken pieces of toys. Organising the fridge. And doing something about the laundry room!
Also, it being winter now, I think I have to come up with an ideal (energy and cost efficient) routine in relation to “cleaning the inside air” of the home. It is common to always have the doors and windows shut during winter - trapping the warm air (and everything else in the air) indoors. But I really don’t like waking up every morning, smelling last night’s dinner on the curtains and couch! This used to be a major issue with me when I was working, as I used to feel so self-conscious about going to work smelling like chicken curry, but now that I am a stay-at-home-mum, that has become the least of my ‘personal’ worries (However, maybe I should start sniffing at hubby and children’s clothes,… just in case!) Anyway, I’m sure you get my point!
I’m not going to refer this as a challenge. I would really like this to be a “permanent feature” of sorts. Let’s see.
If anybody has some tips for me - I welcome you to share!!! Please 
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May 13, 2008 at 9:44 pm
I know what you mean. All the very best on this venture. What I do when I cook something pungent is to switch the heater off and open up the door that leads to my deck and have the exhaust on. Even if its just for 10 minutes. I know that is not terribly energy efficient but the house feels better after that. Also the days when temperatures are milder. I open the windows and let the fresh air come in.
May 14, 2008 at 2:16 am
I am very anal abt smells in the small tiny apt so I never deep fry anything or cook anything too smelly. The oil smell will last for days even if I open all the doors and windows and exhaust fans. I don’t even like the smell of rice cooking (from the rice cooker) and I out the rice cooker under the cooker hood to suck up all the rice steam smell!! I do open the open the windows a bit during winter when I cook to let the air circulate. I read somewhere that for the exhaust fans to work properly (as in suck out the air), there must be air circulation meaning some air must come in, in order for it to be sucked out.
May 14, 2008 at 3:15 am
I think keep a home fresh, clean and nice is a hard challenge. There is so much every day stuff that has to be done just to be decent. And the deep cleaning is always there to do. I’ve been having to care for my grandsons a great deal during the school year. I have two months off and I’m going to compile a list of deep cleaning projects to do, also. I’ll still have my little fellows (of my own choice) one day a week but I’ll have the other days to start my projects. Have fun with all of your cleaning this week.
Nichole
May 14, 2008 at 3:41 am
I am also in the camp of “opening” windows when I’m making things that are “stinky!” I don’t like that deep frying smell either and always try and do it outside on my deck. I am fortunate to have my stove fan going directly outside so I use that all the time as well.
The deep cleaning though…..did you have to remind me that I should be doing that RIGHT NOW!!!
May 14, 2008 at 4:46 am
I really dislike the cooking smells too….I always burn candles while cooking and after I am done cleaning the kitchen.
One thing that really works is the Aromatic Oil burner, you can get so many different types of oils too…always a refreshing change from incense and useless spray fresheners.
Another tip: Boil some cinnamon sticks, and orange peels and a tiny drop of vanilla, and let it simmer. Experiment with some ginger, lemon slices and cloves too.It instantly refreshes the kitchen!
cheers, trupti
May 14, 2008 at 11:12 am
@ Laksh: Thanks for the tips! I don’t think there is a totally energy efficient way to tackle this one!!
@ TC: I know what you mean about the oil smells - they actually stick onto the walls!! The place can end up smelling like a Fisn n’ Chips shop if not too careful
. But, I actually love the smell of rice cooking. For some strange reason, it smells comforting to me… (Strange?)
@ Nichole: Good luck with the deep-cleaning project!!
I agree - there’s so much to do always, there is no way we can keep the home “perfect” (unless of course we suddenly grow a few more arms!) 
Tell me how it goes, OK.
@ Joy: Ha! HA! Looks like this whole deep-cleaning idea is on many minds!! I think it is a woman thing! I’m glad I don’t do deep-frying too much (once in a blue moon). And when I do, I put the deep-fryer right under the exhaust fan! But, I do quite a lot of stir-frying though.
@ Trupti: Thanks for the tips! I love the idea of boiling beautiful smelling spices and vanilla to freshen the place! My aunty told me about this a long time ago, and I completly forgot and never tried it. Will try now!
May 14, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Its winter now? I better bring along my winter clothings then.. somehow I had the idea that it was autumn!
May 14, 2008 at 3:36 pm
@ Kavi: Officially, it is June, July and Aug. So far, it looks like the begining of next week is going to be cold, wet and windy. So, please do bring your winter clothing