​With the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Toronto and flu season on the horizon, it’s critical that we understand how an effective cleaning and hygiene program can substantially reduce the spread of influenza, the cold and other infectious diseases. Creating a safe space is a vital piece in the process of going from surviving to thriving in your home.   
 
As professional eco-friendly cleaners, we feel it’s our duty to arm our clients with cleaning tips and home cleaning knowledge to keep our sanctuaries free of viruses, germs, and bacteria (especially as we continue to navigate through a global pandemic). In this blog, we’ll highlight the difference between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting, along with common cleaning misconceptions and best practices for each.

THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM

First things first.  There’s a burning misconception that non-toxic cleaning products aren’t effective and that only toxic cleaning products properly disinfect.  In fact, accelerated hydrogen peroxide – the active, non-toxic ingredient in many eco-friendly disinfectants, is often equally or more effective than toxic chemical disinfectants, as it has a very short dwell time. Most importantly, it doesn’t irritate your skin or respiratory system.
 
Ammonia based cleaners are especially dangerous and should be avoided.  Exposure to high concentrations of ammonia in air may lead to bronchial and alveolar edema. This may obstruct the air passage and cause respiratory disorders.  Direct contact with industrial cleaners that contain high concentrations of ammonia may also inflict severe skin burns, permanent eye damage, or even blindness.
 
TIP: check your cleaning products label for the 'Emerging Viral Pathogens' claim. 
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​We’ve seen some bold claims regarding ways to clean, sanitize and disinfect to stop the spread of COVID-19. The following are the most common misconceptions we read:
 
1. “Any household cleaner will work”
Each cleaner is designed for a different purpose – and only few are able to disinfect surfaces.  It’s important to note that only disinfectants and sanitizers will kill viruses. A cleaner-disinfectant is a type of disinfectant that cleans as well as disinfects, however it should be noted that a heavily soiled surface needs to be cleaned first, to remove all organic material, prior to disinfecting (even with a cleaner-disinfectant).

2. “Mixing cleaners improves effectiveness”
This not only dilutes effectiveness; it can create extremely toxic fumes from a chemical reaction.

3. “Cleaning wipes are a quick and effective alternative”
Reading the label reveals that these products actually require the surface to remain wet for approximately 10 minutes in order to achieve effective disinfection. It’s also important to remember that the surface needs to be cleaned prior to using the wipes.

4. “Homeopathic disinfectants are better than chemicals”
Not all chemicals are created equal. Similarly, most homeopathic remedies are reliable sanitizers but not necessarily as disinfectants.

​5. “You should disinfect everything”
Over-disinfecting can be dangerous to your home and health. Focusing on high touch areas while sanitizing everywhere else is a much safer and sustainable practice.

Cleaning removes germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces or objects. Cleaning works by using soap (or detergent) and water to physically remove germs from surfaces. This process doesn’t necessarily kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection.
 
Sanitizing lowers the number of germs on surfaces or objects to a safe level, as judged by public health standards or requirements. This process works by either cleaning or disinfecting surfaces or objects to lower the risk of spreading infection.
 
Disinfecting kills germs on surfaces or objects. Disinfecting works by using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces or objects. This process doesn’t necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection.
 
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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CLEANING TIPS
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• Use microfiber cloths.  Microfiber is the safest way to clean most surfaces. A cloth dampened with warm water can wipe away up to 99% of dirt and bacteria . Always choose high quality cloths.
• Wear gloves.  Even when using safe products, your hands can absorb the viruses you’re trying to mitigate from surfaces. Wash hands immediately after removing gloves and launder reusable gloves in hot water and hydrogen peroxide or oxygenated bleach
• Avoid cross-contamination.  Don't use the same cloths in different rooms of the house as this can transport germs. You should also launder them in hot water after use or keep sealed in a plastic bag until laundering.

SANITIZING TIPS

• Read the label.  Every product that claims to kill germs will have instructions on how long a surface must remain wet to be sanitized (typically around 30 seconds), as well as whether the surface must be rinsed afterward.
• Sanitize food areas instead of disinfecting.  Even green disinfectants can be harmful to ingest, so stick to sanitizing food areas and utensils regularly and only use disinfectant once in a while (rinse thoroughly!)
• Clean first, then sanitize.  Heavily soiled areas should be visibly clean before applying sanitizer or disinfectant. Even if your cleaner is also a sanitizer, dirt can get in the way of its effectiveness against germs.
• Make use of your dishwasher.  High heat is the best sanitizer. Some items you may not have thought of dishwashing include: cleaning brushes, toys, hats, hair brushes, tooth brush holders, sponges, dust pans, shoes, vent covers, and vacuum cleaner attachments.

 
DISINFECTING TIPS

• Disinfecting dwell time is critical!  Dwell time refers to how long the product must sit wet on the surface to be effective. Any less than this will result in a sanitized surface at best.  Homeopathic and botanical disinfectants often require 5-15 minutes to be effective, which is why they’re not always the best choice.
• Don't disinfect everything.  There is such a thing as being too clean. Lack of regular interaction with a safe level of germs disrupts our immune system’s ability to detect and fight off infection. Stick to frequently touched areas and horizontal surfaces.
• Prevention is still key.  The best way to keep a healthy home is to prevent spread to begin with. Practice proper hygiene, use appropriate PPE outdoors, when possible, take your shoes off before entering your home and wipe or quarantine groceries and packages before bringing them into your space.

 
Refer to the EPA list of registered N-list disinfectants to ensure your product is considered an effective option for novel coronavirus.
 
Six steps for safe and effective disinfectant use.

All disinfectants – whether toxic or non-toxic – kill viruses. So why choose non-toxic (green) cleaning products? Because toxic cleaning products greatly impact our long-term health and environment. The chemicals in many cleaners are common pollutants that contribute to smog, reduce the quality of drinking water and are toxic to animals.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency names phosphorus, nitrogen, ammonia and chemicals grouped under the term "Volatile Organic Compounds" as the worst environmental hazards in household cleaners. 
 
A Canadian Medical Association Journal study that looked at 26 types of home cleaners — disinfectants, laundry detergents, air fresheners and hand sanitizers — showed “young infants living in homes where cleaning products were used frequently were more likely to develop childhood wheeze and asthma by age three.”  - “Queen of Green”, David Suzuki
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1. Pink Solution: Multi-Purpose Cleaner
Non-toxic and biodegradable.  Pink Solution is a natural enzyme cleaner, which when mixed with water, emulsifies dirt, grease and grime, and restores finishes to their natural state.  Contains no chemicals, and can be inhaled, eaten and used without any gloves, with no ill effects.
Works well for: Kitchen, bathroom, grout, grease, floor, almost all surfaces, soils and stains.
 
2. Nature Clean: Cream Cleanser
Non-scratching, Non-toxic, Chlorine Free, Biodegradable. Apply cleanser directly on surface. Rub gently with a damp sponge (or SOS pad), rinse and wipe clean.
Works well for: bathtubs, sinks, Greasy oven surfaces and hoods, spot cleaning on walls.
 
3. Optim 33 TB: Disinfectant
Optim is an used for disinfecting high touch surfaces.  Must let product sit wet on surface for 1 minute prior to wiping.

Our world has changed, and so has the way we approach our work as cleaners. We want to share the enhanced protocols we’ve implemented to ensure our team members and our clients are protected:
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• Infection Prevention and Control Certification. As of April 6th, 2020, all Dhyana Cleaners responsible for cleaning and disinfecting your home will be certified in infection control from IPAC. 
• Social Distancing. We ask that our cleaners be given 6 feet of physical space while cleaning.  
• ​Wearing gloves and practicing hand hygiene. All Dhyana Cleaners will wear gloves while cleaning your home, and have been trained to follow strict hand hygiene protocols as per the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and Public Health Ontario. 
• Surface disinfecting. Researchers believe coronavirus and flu might spread from dust particles.  We’re now using a hospital grade EPA approved disinfectant on all surfaces with special attention paid to high risk touch points (counter tops, bathroom surfaces, doorknobs, light switches, refrigerator handle, etc.) This product is non-toxic and biodegradable.
• Disposable shoe coverings: The floor is a super-highway for the virus to collect, which is why we wear shoe covers and dispose of them at the end of each cleaning.  We also use microfiber mops (different mop heads at each home) and disinfect them with hydrogen peroxide and hot water at 60–90°C (140–194°F).
• Vacuums and mops. We would prefer to use yours; however, if this isn’t possible, our cleaners will empty and disinfect our equipment after each use.   
• Disposable cloths. In order to eliminate cross-contamination between homes, we’re now utilizing biodegradable disposable cloths.
• Changing linen. We’ll continue to make beds, but ask that you or your guests strip the bed and remove the linens, if you want us to put on fresh linen.

Click here to access our in-depth Dhyana Cleaning Guide for information on how to effectively disinfect your home with your health and safety in mind.
 
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Are you comfy? Great! The art of cleaning is a topic that we at Dhyana Cleaning are passionate about.  Grab your coffee and settle in. If you’re interested in mindfulness and learning more about yourself with simple daily actions, read on! 

WHY DOES CLEANING GET SUCH A BAD RAP?

Let’s face it, cleaning your home is not a ‘task’ many of us look forward to.  Why do we hate cleaning? Perhaps we find it boring, or finding time in our fast-paced lives is too difficult. 

Finding joy in cleaning is a process of self-discovery which leads to more open awareness about ourselves. Noticing what emotions and feelings come up and cleaning with the negative ones is an act of self-compassion. Cleaning isn't always going to be enjoyable, but this is where learning and growth happens. Mindfulness techniques can go beyond seated meditation. By incorporating mindfulness into activities (especially your least favourite ones) you can reframe housework so things like cleaning, washing, and vacuuming become pleasant experiences

Our physical environment impacts our mental state. In a clean and organized space, we are typically healthier, less stressed, and have a greater ability to focus. Researchers at Princeton University found that cluttered and unclean environments make it more difficult to complete regular tasks due to distraction.

We’ve put together our top tips to avoid procrastination and start revealing beauty in your home, and most importantly, in yourself. When we clean mindfully, it’s a gift for ourselves; we’re cleaning the internal as well as external.

​If you don't naturally enjoy cleaning, then the thought of cleaning your entire home in one go is, well, overwhelming!  Our advice: Start small: Small actions, small timeframes, small rooms. Start with one room (or one task) at a time, and take a step-by-step cleaning approach. This could be as simple as setting a 5-minute timer, grabbing that dust cloth, and wiping down the horizontal surfaces in your living room until that glorious buzzer sounds. VOILA! You’ve earned your break, and have completed the first step!  Doesn’t that feel great?!
 
Why does this aid in our process of finding joy in cleaning? Starting with smaller actions trains our brain to build the habit because of how easy it is. After 5 minutes are up, you’re free to stop. What you’ll find is that you’ll continue doing chores even after time runs out because it’s harder to start cleaning than it is to continue. After each cleaning session, try increasing the task or timeframe. As you move on to tackle the dust bunnies in the next room, increase your timer to 7 minutes.  As your habits increase, motivation naturally kicks in because recognizing you’ve completed a task is a dopamine response trigger (the larger the task, the greater the surge). 
 
Cleaning Habit = Dopamine Hit
 
Dopamine is a big part of our unique human ability to think and plan. It helps us to strive and focus. It also affects other parts of our behaviours and physical functions such as: learning, motivation, sleep, kidney function, and heart rate. It’s the act behind cleaning, the sense of accomplishment, in combination with how the space looks and feels, that makes us feel good
 
As Brian Patrick Eha of Entrepreneur.com says in How to Reward Your Brain and Boost Productivity, “The key to achieving your goals may be in understanding your brain chemistry. When you succeed at something, your brain releases dopamine, a reward chemical which boosts memory and triggers increased concentration and a desire to repeat the experience.”
 
Mental Hygiene and Cleaning

Cleaning your mind is just as important as cleaning your physical environment and body. But what is mental hygiene and how is mental hygiene related to cleaning?  Simplified, mental hygiene is the practice of maintaining mental health through proactive behaviour.  Just as we’ve trained ourselves in the physical habit of brushing our teeth, we need to mentally check in with ourselves. Leading psychological research found that clutter increases stress and anxiety. Research has also discovered that housekeeping has a positive benefit on your mental health. Practicing good mental hygiene can help you deal with psychological trauma, such as the death of a loved one or a professional failure.
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Cleaning mindfully is a simple practice we can incorporate into our daily routine. Through habit-stacking – a concept coined by James Clear, the author of Atomic Habits – you can pair a habit you want to master with one you’re already doing. In doing so, you check in with yourself and clean any internal ‘dirt’ that may have accumulated during the day. 

Transform cleaning into meditation. Meditation teachers and cleaning-product makers say that doing household chores which require gentle concentration can steer the mind from worry and provide a sense of control amid uncertainty. 
 
You may have feelings of self-doubt and frustration – and that’s OK! The key is remembering to refocus your thoughts on your five senses. This practice is a form of self-care and active meditation. It’s said to be that the best rituals utilize many (if not all) of the senses. The more unique the stimulus, the more powerful the motivating effect will be. 
 
“Housework for most of us is probably not enjoyable, but if we see it more as an opportunity to train the mind, it actually becomes a very pleasant thing to do,” says Headspace co-founder Andy Puddicombe during a housework exercise on the company’s meditation app. “Rather than being caught up in the story line of ‘I don’t really want to do this, I’d rather be somewhere else or doing something else,’ instead we’re simply present with the physical sensation of we’re doing in the moment.” 
 
A study published in the journal Mindfulness found that participants who mindfully washed up, i.e. took time to try to take in the smell of the washing up liquid etc... reported a 27% reduction in nervousness, along with a 25% improvement in "mental inspiration.
 
CLEANING RITUAL TIPS:

• Scent (Olfactory): Start your cleaning ritual by lighting your favourite candle or incent. Actively acknowledge the scent.
• Taste (Gustatory): Sip on flavoured water, or pop one of your favourite candies in your mouth. Is it sweet or sour?
• Touch (Kinesthetic): Acknowledge the texture of the cleaning tool you’re using. Notice the pressure you’re putting on the bottom of your hand as you wipe across a surface, or the warmth of the water as you wash plates.
• Sound (Auditory): Put on an uplifting tune and mindfully move throughout your home.
• Sight (Visual): Focus on the details of what you’re seeing (textures, colours, the movement of dirt being swept from the floor.

 
Creating a ritual sets the tone for your next activity. You’re training your mind to generate momentum and assign a sense of meaning to an activity. A creative ritual is, at its root, about setting an intention for a specific purpose. One such purpose is to generate motivation. The more personalized the ritual, the stronger the desire for it becomes.

What Is Your WHY?
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Ask yourself, why am I doing this? What do I intent to accomplish?  Consistent reminders to yourself of what you want to achieve will motivate you to complete the task at hand and reach your goal. Perhaps your why is to create a healthy, safe space, free of germs as we navigate our way through a global pandemic. Maybe your intent is to improve mental hygiene through forms of meditative cleaning (as we touched on in the five senses ritual).  Or to simply feel how energizing a clean space can be.
 
How Does Intention-Setting Help?
 
Through setting intention, you’re demonstrating to yourself that you can create your reality because you are seeing immediate results. It’s a simple way to show yourself that you have the power to set your mind to something and accomplish it (Locus of Control). So, even when the cleaning process isn’t enjoyable, remember your why, and it becomes easier to overcome the difficulty.
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​What is Locus of Control? It’s understanding the difference between a growth (internal) mindset vs. fixed (external) mindset. It’s the degree to which people believe they have control over the outcome of the events in their lives.
 
“A “fixed mindset” assumes that our character, intelligence, and creative ability are static givens which we can’t change in any meaningful way, and that striving for success and avoiding failure at all costs become a way of maintaining the sense of being smart or skilled. A “growth mindset,” thrives on challenge and sees failure not as evidence of unintelligence, but as a heartening springboard for growth and for stretching our existing abilities." – Carol Dweck, Brain Pickings.

As we set intentions, we strengthen our self-awareness.  Attention is caring; the act of noticing is the beginning of social change. Caring about ourselves is in turn, caring for others. Here's how: When you are attuned to what you are experiencing inside, you become familiar with raw human emotion. When cleaning with your emotions - you are processing where they come from and why.  We become more mindful of our reactions and how we treat others.

​In summary: Our living environment is part of the subjective experience of ourselves. The cleaning process itself can be regarded as a powerful form of meditation and overall wellbeing.

Now that we’ve mastered the joy in cleaning, stay tuned for our next blog topic, coming Thursday, October 29th, which will continue to Reveal Beauty in our lives through the craft of cleaning.
 
Q: We’d love to hear from you! What ‘cleaning for wellness’ topic(s) are you most interested in reading about? Email us directly to share your thoughts!
 
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At Dhyana, we are a team of conscious cleaners who believe cleaning can be a path to self-awareness. Click here to learn more about how we Reveal Beauty within the homes we clean, as well as within ourselves.
 
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