5 Tips for Laundry Day

Follow these 5 laundry day tips to make the task a little easier!

Use baskets to presort laundry

Avoid the laundry room pile up! A simple and effective solution is to use a multiple-bin sorter. Toss clothing into the appropriate bin for easy sorting come laundry day!

Pretreat Laundry Stains

Treating stains has never been as easy or safe on the environment. When stains happen on the go, wet stain then apply Stain Spray generously, saturating the area then work in with fingers. Let sit for a few minutes. Rinse or blot with a damp cloth. Repeat until stain is worked out! For tougher stains: make a paste with Oxygen Brightener Stain Remover and hot water. Rub directly into the stain, let sit, rinse, and wash as usual. For a brighter, better clean every cycle, add one full scoop of Oxygen Brightener Stain Remover directly into the drum of your washing machine. 

Add Your Favorite CLEAN PEOPLE Laundry Detergent

Whether your preferred CLEAN PEOPLE Detergent is our Sheets or Pods, both are sure to get the job done right! Just pop them into your washing machine, load your laundry, then press start!

Turn Clothing Right Side Out Before Folding

Trust us – this simple tip can make a big difference in the speed with which you can fold a load of clothing. For us, it took nearly half the time!

Keep Your Washing Machine Fresh by Leaving the Door Ajar After Each Load

Washing machines have a very tight seal, which means that moisture trapped after running a load of laundry can’t escape, leading to mildew and stinky aromas. Prevent this by leaving the washer door opened a crack after each load.
But wait! If you have a front loading washer – make sure to take this one additional step! For front loading washers – leave a towel or rag nearby to quickly wipe down the rubber gaskets found just inside the washer. This will also help reduce mildew from trapped water – and will save you time come deep cleaning season!

For steps on how to wash your washing machine + dryer machine using natural products, follow the links below!

How to Clean Washers

How to Clean Dryers

Staying Cozy

Tips on How to Care For & Store Your Sweaters

Now that spring is here, you may get excited to put away those chunky sweaters and pull out the short sleeves… but wait! Don’t just toss them in a drawer! There are actually a few steps that you should take to make sure that those much loved items stay comfy and cozy for next year. Here are some tips on how to care for and store your sweaters.

Remove Pills & Lint

Something to consider doing regularly (and before storing) is checking over your sweaters for things like lint, dandruff, pills, and hair. These unsightly flaws can be embarrassing, but also lessen the integrity of the garment.

• You could easily use household items like a small pair of scissors or a razor to remove these, just be careful not to put a hole in the sweater. If you care to make a small investment, you could purchase a sweater comb or fabric shaver. 
• Once the larger pieces are removed, use a lint roller to take off any smaller particles.

Fix Snags or Holes

Every once in a while, sweaters can get snagged due to the bigger gaps in the knit. It is important to fix these before they spread. Don’t fret if you think you can’t sew, it’s easy!

• First, turn the sweater inside out and locate the hole. Using a large sewing needle or crochet hook, pull the snagged yarn back through the hole and tug gently until it closes the space. Tie a small tight knot so it won’t happen again and turn it right side out. Voila!

Washing

A very important thing to know is that sweaters should not be washed every time you wear them. Similar to jeans, they have a stronger make-up, but often fade, so plan to wash only once every 3-4 wears unless it gets stained. Wool sweaters may go as long as 5 wears.

• When a sweater says “hand wash only,” reach for a CLEAN PEOPLE Laundry Detergent Sheet. These sheets are great because you can tear off a small portion of it for laundering only a few garments. Fill your clean sink/tub with cool water and add the strip, then put the shirts in and swish around.  Work the detergent and water into the clothes getting all dirt, sweat, and grime out. Rinse well with cool water and lay flat to dry.
• If your sweater allows for a machine wash, make sure to set it for a delicate cycle. Using a CLEAN PEOPLE Liquid Laundry Detergent Pod, wash the sweaters and lay flat to dry.
• If your particular sweater permits drying, using our 100% Organic Wool Dryer Balls helps to fluff and dry gentle items. Remember to run in delicate mode!

Storing

After washing for the last time of the season, it is time to store your cozy clothing. Ensure they are completely dry or they may mold. 

• Breathable large storage bags are ideal because they protect the garments while also allowing air to flow slightly. Simply fold and stack your sweaters into the bag then close tightly. Place in a closet for the off season.
• If you are worried about possible insects, place a few Lavender scented Fabric Softener Dryer Sheets in the bag to deter them. The linalool content in the Lavender has shown to repel mites, beetles, and cockroaches. Plus, they will smell amazing when you pull them out next year!

There you have it! An easy to follow list of how to care for and store your sweaters. CLEAN PEOPLE makes it simple to naturally keep your clothing safe and clean.

Spring cleaning is the tradition of decluttering, organizing, and deep cleaning when the weather begins to warm up. In some ways it can be like a purge of sorts… a kind of “out with the old, in with the new.” Whether you do this every year or you are just starting now, we have some ideas for a week’s worth of spring cleaning chores that you can easily tackle – one day at a time.

Day 1 – Wash All Household Linens

Spend the day going from room to room collecting all linens and wash with Ultra Concentrated Laundry Detergent Pods. For items that are safe to go in the dryer, use Fabric Softener Dryer Sheets.

• Kitchen: towels, rugs, draperies, runners
• Bathrooms: towels, cloth toilet seat covers, rugs, bathrobes
• Bedrooms: sheets, blankets, pillowcases, laundry
• Living/Dining Room: couch covers, blankets, drapes, tablecloths

Day 2 – Clean Out Closets

This may seem like a daunting task, but it really can be easy if you take it one space at a time. A great place to begin could be dedicating 3 boxes or storage bins for organizing each room. 

Once these bins are set up, choose your closet. The best place to start is picking up anything on the floor to get it out of the way. After that, simply go in from left to right, top to bottom to stay in an organized fashion. Things that are going to stay in that space should be placed in the appropriate spot. If the closet has hanging/folded clothes, it may help to organize them by season. Pull the current season’s fashions front/center while putting the items you won’t be wearing to the back.

Day 3 – Dust & Vacuum

This may be something on your weekly to-do list for regular house cleaning, but today you are going to take it to the next level. Here are some ways to deep clean with your vacuum, broom and duster.

• Using your broom or an extendable duster, clean the cobwebs and dust out of the corners of the ceilings in every room.
• Dust all the knick knacks, art, bookshelves (including books), decor, and furniture in each room.
• Move furniture out to vacuum the corners of all the floors and underneath the tables, chairs, and dressers. 
• Pick up all the rugs and vacuum under each one.

Day 4 – Deep Clean Your Kitchen

Kitchen cleaning is definitely something that has to be done regularly. But how often do you spend time doing a deep clean? Spring is a great time to get into the cabinets, fridge, and shelves to do some extensive cleaning.

• Clean out your fridge: Remove items on every single shelf and check expiration dates. Take the shelves out that are removable and wash them with soap and water. This includes the door cubbies as well. Anything that cannot be removed, can be scrubbed in the fridge/freezer.
• Clean out your pantry: Go through food items making sure to remove expired goods, spend time reorganizing so that like-foods are placed together, clean all of the surfaces in your shelving units, and donate any goods you do not want.
• Organize your cabinets: Pull out all of the contents of each cabinet, wipe down all surfaces, and reorganize all pots, pans, dishes etc to fit nicely in each space.
• Clean appliances: Wipe down any small or large appliances like toaster, microwave, blenders, slow cookers etc. Run your oven in cleaning mode and scrub out debris afterwards.
• Clean your sink: First remove dishes and wash with Dishwasher Detergent Pods. Next, scatter Citrus Sink Scrub onto the surface and scrub in a circular motion. Rinse thoroughly with cool water. 

Day 5 – Declutter the Garage

The garage is a space that could easily be forgotten as you may not always see it as a part of your home, but it has a tendency to get dirty too. After a long winter, your garage could use a refresh too.\

• Pull out all of the vehicles and sweep the floors.
• Declutter by going through all of the items on shelves, hang new organization methods if needed, donate what is not wanted.
• Wash rags, garden gloves, and wipe off shoes.
• Put away any tools, sports gear, or outdoor items that are not used daily.

Day 6 – Clean Out The Junk Drawers

Junk drawers are “catch all” stash spots that often get pushed off because they could be an overwhelming task. Here are a few ideas on how to tackle this chore.

1. First empty the drawer completely and toss out what you do not need/want.
2. Sort items by using a drawer organizer. Put small items in see through baggies.
3. Place take out menus, mail, or documents in designated labeled folders.
4. Make sure that all pens and markers work, if they don’t, discard them.
5. Use a drawer liner if desired.

Day 7 – Deep Clean the Bathrooms

The bathrooms in your home are probably some of the most used areas… this means hidden germs. Spend some time cleaning more than just surface spots and your restrooms will feel like new.

• Descale the shower head and scrub shower walls and doors.
• Remove everything from countertops and shelves to wipe all the surfaces clean.
• Get toilets sparkling clean by using Oxygen Brightener Stain Remover. Sprinkle into the bowl, let sit for 15 minutes then scrub and flush. Remember to wipe down the often unseen areas near the floor and around the back.
• Mop the floors.
• Clean the sinks: Remove anything from the drains, scrub the sink bowl with an abrasive sponge, and thoroughly wipe down the faucet and handles.
• Clean dirty tile and grout with Oxygen Brightener Stain Remover. Make a paste and scrub with a sponge or a toothbrush then rinse.
• Clean your tub with Citrus Sink and Bath Scrub by sprinkling all over the surface and using a wet sponge to scrub. Rinse with cool water when finished.

And while you’re at it, it’s a good time to think about deep cleaning those washers and dryers 😉

Subscribe to Oxygen Brightener Stain Remover for our best price and ensure you never run out!

A dirty dryer isn’t just ineffective. It’s also a safety hazard.

The U.S. Fire Administration reports an average of 2,900 house fires each year caused by lint accumulation in dryers!

But even aside from the safety risk, if you leave lint to clog up your dryer’s exhaust, you are looking at a future with expensive repair bills and ruined clothes. While cleaning the lint trap before running each load will reduce risks, lint will still naturally build up in the dryer air duct and vent. It can even get clogged inside other parts of the machine. 

Regular cleaning is the best way to ensure your dryer is effective, energy-efficient, and safe. We suggest making it a part of your Spring Cleaning and Winter Prep chores each year so you never forget! 

8 Steps to Clean Your Dryer

• Step 1. Pull out the lint trap screen and wash it thoroughly in a sink or a bucket of warm, soapy water. Rinse it well and let it air dry.
• Step 2. Clean the interior fins or bumps of the dryer. Remove things like thread or clumps of hair that may be wedged in the crevices beneath the fins. Wipe the whole interior with a cloth dampened with an All Purpose Natural Cleaner. If there are any sticky spots, use a wet corner of your cloth to rub it away.
• Step 3. Pull your dryer forward away from the wall and UNPLUG IT. Remove the screws that secure the rear panel of your dryer. Place them somewhere safe so you don’t lose them. Use a vacuum attachment to clear away excess lint. DO NOT disturb wire connections. Wipe down the area with a clean cloth.
• Step 4. Remove the dryer exhaust hose. Clean the interior using a vacuum. 
• Step 5. Go outside and locate your dryer vent. Clear away debris, cobwebs, or items that could be blocking it so it can vent freely. Clean the inside of the vent as well. 
• Step 6. Reconnect your dryer hose, plug the dryer back in, and push it back into place.
• Step 7. Wipe down the exterior of the dryer.
• Step 8. Dampen a rag or old towel with white vinegar and drip several drops of your favorite antifungal essential oil onto the fabric. Throw it into the dryer on high to give your dryer a quick steam clean that will help to reduce any potential mildew, mold, or bacterial growth.

Looking for More Cleaning Advice?

You may want to start here — since you’re cleaning your dryer, you should clean your washing machine as well. 

Need more cleaning advice? Visit our blog!

Because we use the washing machine to — well — wash things, we tend to assume that it stays perfectly clean on the inside. While this is mostly true, grease, grime, hair, fur, and bacteria can build up in your washer over time if it’s not cared for regularly.

The good news is that if you’re already using CLEAN PEOPLE Ultra Concentrated Laundry Detergent Sheets or Laundry Detergent Pods then you are one step ahead of the game! Our Laundry Detergent Sheets and Pods are packed with cleaning power that can extend beyond your clothing! Natural laundry detergents have been found to actually clean your washing machine at the same time they’re cleaning your clothes. Go you! Now it’s time to learn how to tackle deep cleaning your washing machines – naturally!

Have you ever stood in front of your washer and sniffed the air, wondering where that strange, mildewy smell was coming from? Nope, it’s not your gym shorts (although those likely don’t smell so great either).

That smell is probably your washer.

Any time that you’re wondering if you need to clean your washer is the right time to clean it. If you’ve never wondered that until now, it is definitely the right time to clean it!

To prevent your washing machine from getting gross (and getting your laundry gross too!), here’s what you need to do.

5 Steps to Clean a Top-Loading Washing Machine Using Natural Cleaners

If you have a top-loading washing machine, your job is going to be pretty simple.

• Step 1. Add four cups of white vinegar to the drum of your washer. We suggest also adding 20 drops of your favorite antifungal essential oil, such as lavender, citronella, tea tea, orange, or peppermint. Mix these oils into the vinegar before adding to the washer.
• Step 2. Set your washer to its hottest temperate setting on the longest cycle.
• Step 3. Close the lid and allow it to fill and agitate for several minutes, before pausing it. The hot vinegar water will soak through your machine and help to get rid of bacteria, mold, and mildew in the drum. The vinegar will also help soften and clear away any residual soap scum (a primary contributor to the build-up of bacteria in your washer).
• Step 4. Repeat if your washer is particularly dirty. (If you’ve never cleaned your washer before, this means you!)
• Step 5. Wet a cloth with vinegar and wipe along the lip of the washer. Clean the bleach reservoir and fabric softener reservoir as well. Remove any remaining visible grime.

Steps to Clean a Front-Loading Washing Machine Using Natural Cleaners

Front loading washing machines are wonderful, but we all know that they require just a bit more work and attention than their more simple, top-loading counterparts. Follow these steps to clean your front-loader.

• Step 1. Add 4 cups of white vinegar mixed with 20 drops of your favorite antifungal essential oils to the detergent tray or pour it directly into the wash drum. Run a wash cycle using the hottest water setting. This will help get rid of odor-causing bacteria and mold, while also helping to dissolve mineral deposits and soap scum.
• Step 2. Once the cycle has finished, wet a clean rag in vinegar. Use this rag to wipe along both sides (inside and out) of the rubber seal of the door to remove any built-up debris or grime. Clean any visible grime from the fins of the washer.
• Step 3. Add 2 cups of hydrogen peroxide to your machine’s detergent tray or wash drum and, again, run your washer on the hottest setting. Make sure this last wash cycle is followed by a rinse.
• Step 4. Remove the detergent tray and all other removable parts of your washer’s detergent drawer (if applicable to your model). Place the parts in a bucket of warm soapy water and allow them to soak before scrubbing each piece with a sponge or rag. Rinse in cool water and replace the pieces.
• Step 5. Many HE machines have a filter cartridge in the front. This should be cleaned monthly — though many people don’t know about it. Grab a bucket and place it underneath the filter. Remove the filter (holding your nose — it STINKS!) and the water will pour into the bucket. Spray vinegar into the empty hole where the filter sits. Scrub the filter using a little natural Dish Soap. Rinse in warm water, and replace.

If you are looking for an easier and faster way to clean your washing machine, check out our new Washing Machine Cleaner Tablets. With easy-to-follow directions on the box, these tablets will help take the hard work out of cleaning your machine by doing the job for you! 

Finish the Job!

Since you’re just waiting around for the wash cycles and soaks to finish, it’s the perfect time to tackle the outside of your washing machine, too! Spray the exterior of your machine down with an All Purpose Natural Cleaner and wipe the surface with a clean cloth. Pay extra attention to the control panel and door handles.

Just like that, you’re all done! And if you’re worried about your laundry room or clothes starting to smell like a pickle factory, don’t. After the rinse cycle is through, all residual smell of vinegar will be gone!

Looking for More Cleaning Advice?

You may want to start here — since you’re cleaning your washer, you should clean your dryer as well. 

Need more cleaning advice? Visit our blog!

If you haven’t already – grab a box of CLEAN PEOPLE Ultra Concentrated Laundry Detergent today! Your laundry will thank you! 

Ultra Concentrated Laundry Detergent Sheets:

Ultra Concentrated Laundry Detergent Pods: