Home is where the heart is. I’m sure we’ve all heard this saying before. And for many of us, we’ve been spending quite a bit more time inside of our homes, now more than ever.

From lockdowns to quarantines to navigating new health and safety protocols, I think we can safely say that we’ve learned to adapt to life inside four walls. And this is exactly why it’s so important to make sure the spaces we call home nurture a healthy environment.

But it can be easy to assume that to have a clean, healthy home, you must spend lots and lots of money making new upgrades or switching to pricier home and personal care products.

But! There are quite a few inexpensive and nearly free ways you can upgrade your home for improved wellbeing. So here on this list, you will find 21 creative things you can do right now to create a healthier home, all while keeping a modest spending budget at the forefront.
 

1. Before you pick up your cell phone…

If there’s one item that the majority of us handle most often throughout the day, it’s our cell phones, which can be a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. Being mindful of where you put your phone, what you do after you touch your phone, and regularly cleaning it – a simple alcohol wipe or disinfectant wipe will help keep you much safer than you think!

2. Sanitize and disinfect other handheld devices

If someone could shine a blacklight on all of the different surfaces we touch throughout the day, you may be surprised by how much bacteria we could be spreading throughout the home. Anti-bacterial wipes are great to have around the home to promote a clean and healthy lifestyle. From your computer keyboard to your TV remote, it’s crucial to keep the items we touch daily squeaky clean.
 

3. Keep bathroom surfaces clean (organically)

One of the most important places to keep clean is the place where we “handle business” – the bathroom. This is also a sacred place where it’s important to limit the use of harsh, ammonia-based cleaners, as these can irritate the skin and lungs. So opting for an organic cleaner is a great alternative, as it can (and should) be used more consistently with little to no harm to our bodies. Even consider making your own natural cleaners with ingredients like baking soda, kosher salt, and vegetable oil.

4. It’s time to establish a cleaning schedule

Part of maintaining a healthy home is staying on top of keeping your house clean overall. Constantly wiping down surfaces like kitchen counters and even your workspace, for example, will reduce the spread of germs, keeping you and everyone in your home healthy. Even just a few minutes a day of tidying up promotes a healthier lifestyle.
 

5. Deep breath in… and out…

If you are going to invest, an air purifier should be at the top of your list! Not only are you promoting healthier air circulation by removing airborne bacteria, but also eliminating dust and even pet dander from lingering in the air (which can often go unnoticed).

6. Bring on the fresh air

Opening up the windows in your home is a great way to keep fresh air circulating. Unfortunately, things like fumes, vapors, and allergens can become trapped indoors if you do not allow clean air to flow in. You can even open windows on opposite ends of the home to allow for cross ventilation.
 

7. When’s the last time you washed your linens? (Be honest…)

As much of a chore as it may seem, washing things like your sheets, bedspreads, and pillowcases weekly in hot water is a great practice to keep up with. Keeping the fabrics clean where we rest our bodies helps keep dust mites (and even bed bugs, eek!) under control.
 

8. Leave your shoes at the door

Unfortunately, the bottom of our shoes can be a toxin-magnet! So taking your shoes off and leaving them by the front door will prevent the spread of germs, allergens, and dirt from being spread throughout the home or getting embedded in carpets.
 

9. Clear out the clutter

Aside from the mental health benefits of staying organized and getting rid of clutter, decluttering the home has added physical health benefits. When there’s too much clutter, you may be welcoming things like dust and even mold without even knowing it. So being mindful of clutter and working to eliminate it can ensure your house stays clean and free from dust and allergens.
 

10. Hello houseplants!

Not only do they look nice, but indoor plants also improve the quality of the air in your home. And there are a handful of low-maintenance indoor plants that remove things like carbon monoxide, ammonia, and even airborne mold.
 

11. Is it machine-washable?

Investing in machine-washable furnishings is a great way to cut down on dust and germs. Things like couch or chair covers, curtains, and even rugs that can be washed regularly allow you to stay on top of hidden dust, dirt, and allergens.

12. Block out the blue light

Do you find yourself squinting at your computer screen? Well, it could be blue light strain. Blue light glasses are a great investment to reduce eye strain as they work to increase the contrast on your screen, making it much easier to focus. So if you stare at a screen for most of the day, it’s important to take breaks and limit screen time or consider investing in blue light-blocking glasses to help keep your eyes sharp.
 

13. Up the humidity

Running a humidifier, especially during cold, winter months, can be an added benefit to your health. When it’s cold out, the air in your home is often much dryer, causing eye and nasal irritation. So upping the humidity in the home in colder months can help reduce allergies and prevent cold and flu symptoms.
 

14. Toss the plastic containers

Microwaving plastics can cause harmful chemicals to seep into the food we consume. So even if a plastic container is labeled microwave-safe, it’s best to opt for a glass container to reheat food instead.
 

15. Ditch the dust

Making a point to dust and vacuum regularly can keep you safe from more than you think! Dust in the home is filled with all different kinds of chemicals and pollutants that can cause major health and respiratory issues. So don’t wait until you can see the dust to get rid of it!
 

16. Naturally freshen the air

Replacing chemical air fresheners with natural essential oil diffusers or beeswax or soy-based candles is a great way to keep the air in your home free from chemical fragrances and pollutants. The home is a sacred space, so opting for natural home fragrance alternatives provides the peace of mind to breathe deeply inside your home.
 

17. Do you filter your water?

Filters can be used to make sure our drinking water is free from harmful chemicals like lead, heavy metals, and pesticides. And it’s an inexpensive way to keep the drinking water in your home fresh and clean. There are many different water filter options like pitchers and sink attachments that do a wonderful job at removing water impurities.
 

18. When was the last time you cleaned out your fridge? (Again, be honest…)

The refrigerator is where we store most of the delicious and nutritious foods we fuel our bodies with. That’s why it’s so important to keep this space clean. A good rule of thumb is to do a deep clean on your refrigerator every three to four months – getting rid of old or expired foods and wiping down shelves, and pull-out drawers. And then you’ll have more room to fill your fridge with fresh, healthy snacks and foods for healthy recipes!

19. Wash your produce

Unless you’re buying organic, it’s important to thoroughly wash the produce you buy, as it can often be covered with traces of pesticides and dirt that can be harmful to the body. This single preventative step can make a huge difference in maintaining optimal physical wellbeing.

20. Cooking? Turn on the vent

The vapors that kick up when we cook on a stovetop can be filled with all sorts of air pollutants such as carbon monoxide. So always using your oven range hood vent helps cut down on the contaminants that build up in the air when we cook.
 

21. Educate yourself

By reading the labels on the foods, products, and home goods you purchase, you are doing yourself a solid favor in knowing what’s going on in your body or your home. Taking precautions on harmful food additives or dangerous cleaning ingredients can keep everyone in your home as safe as possible.

So now that you have some new (and cost-effective) ways to make your home healthy, which one do you think you’ll tackle first? Well, I don’t know about you, but I think it might be time for some early spring cleaning.

And speaking of cleaning, when was the last time you cleaned or cleared your chakras? You see, keeping your chakras in balance and aligned has a huge impact on your health, wellbeing, and your ability to stay in flow with the Universe. And I happen to have a very unique (and eye-opening!) quiz for you to help you determine the blockages in your life. So take the free quiz right here to find out!