Simply use a microfibre cloth with water to wipe down kitchen countertops and surfaces, recommends Laura Trotta, founder of Australia’s Home Detox Boot Camp. A good quality microfibre cloth can last up to two years if cleaned regularly to get rid of the bacteria build-up, preferably by hand and drying it in the sun.

READ MORE: The 10 Dirtiest Spots In Your Kitchen – Revealed!

Mr Clean Microfibre Cloths for kitchen comes with unique waffle weaves.

The gloves required for some oven cleaners is an indication of their toxicity, but they’re not the only option. Laura recommends an all-purpose cleaner for big jobs. “I put a capful inside a ramekin (or any oven-safe vessel) in the oven at 180 C for 40 minutes until it starts to evaporate. It creates a fine mist on the oven walls and lifts off grime easily, without leaving streaks.”

Create a welcoming home that’s safe for everyone with the fresh and inviting scent of Thieves Household Cleaner. Formulated with the power of Young Living’s Thieves oil blend, get a deep clean without dangerous or synthetic ingredients. Thieves cleaner also includes the scent of Lemon essential oil for an even more uplifting aroma.

When you buy flour, freeze it for 24 hours as doing this will kill any germs that may already be in the flour, says Laura. “And scatter dry bay leaves throughout your pantry or in rice, flour or pasta containers as this will kill off any weevil eggs as well. Especially in a humid climate, consider keeping your flour in the fridge all the time.”

READ MORE:
10 Minimalist Storage Heroes For A Neat And Tidy Home From Just $3
15 Smart Storage Ideas That Will Save You So Much Kitchen Space
10 Colourful And Functional Kitchen Gadgets That Will Brighten Up Your Countertop

To get rid of soap scum in the bathroom, use bicarb of soda sprinkled on a wet microfibre cloth and wipe over the affected area. If your toilet needs a really deep clean because the bowl is discoloured, Laura suggests adding three-quarters of a cup of citric acid to the toilet and leaving overnight. This will also help get rid of bacteria such as E. coli. “Give it a scrub the next morning – that brings it up better than anything,” she says.

Mould and mildew is one of the most common problems in homes across Singapore, thanks to our high humidity environment, and can be found in places from your toothbrush holder to air-conditioning unit.

Besides damaging furniture, mould spores can trigger allergies and skin irritation, as well as cause a multitude of conditions such as insomnia, recurring colds and flu and sinusitis. Getting rid of mould in your home depends on finding and treating the sources of moisture. Healthy home expert Nicole Bijilsma suggests using a solution of 80 per cent white vinegar to 20 per cent water to clean non-porous surfaces.

READ MORE: Easy, Natural And Fast Ways To Keep Your Bathroom Fresh

Pull your sheets back every day and air pillows in the sun as often as possible. Dr Mark Donohoe believes you need the right equipment if you have carpet in your bedroom.

“Ordinary vacuum cleaners may just send dust into the air, which is the worst for people with asthma,” he says. “Use one with a HEPA filter and vibrating power head.”

Designed in such a way that all the air taken in is passed through the washable HEPA 13 filter (99.95% filtration) before it is exhausted, the SilentStar vacuum series delivers powerful cleaning with minimal noise.

READ MORE: Tried & Tested: 7 Cordless Handstick Cleaners That Swept Us Away

Nicole says sensitivity to electromagnetic fields is something few of us think about yet we often have power points close to our beds with all manner of devices plugged into them.

“These technologies were introduced with little regard for their impact on human health,” she says. If this is too hard to avoid, try turning off all your devices and gadgets at the wall and leave your phone in another room overnight.

Photo: Pexels

READ MORE:
20 Beautiful Ways To Revamp Your Bedroom For The New Year
5 Simple Ways To Turn Your Bedroom Into A Sleep Sanctuary
The One Trick To Make Your Bedroom Feel Like A Luxurious Hotel

Text: www.bauersyndication.com.au / Additional reporting: Seah Pei Jun