CHERRY CREEK FASHION — 7 Tips For Easy Spring Cleaning by Kara Armstrong of The Conscious Merchant

Back in 2016, KARA ARMSTRONG, MPH, Founder and Creator of The Conscious Merchant and Consciously Cleaner, found herself finally tackling serious health issues. It was during her own journey she discovered how challenging living a cleaner and even sustainable life and be. Founding her consulting business, Consciously Cleaner in 2018, she took an even larger leap in 2019 launching The Conscious Merchant, an eco-conscious living store with a progress not perfection vibe. Ending it’s run as a pop up around town, The Conscious Merchants anchor store will join the new 20000 square feet wellness center and marketplace, Nurture, at the corner of Speer and Federal this Spring. In this issue, Kara gives advice on spring cleaning your home.

The Conscious Merchant vets a wide range of products for daily living from thoughtful and responsible makers — everything from glass food storage solutions to eco-friendly candles. We also have a refill bar where you can bring your own container, or purchase one from them — with shampoo, conditioner, lotion, body cream, laundry detergent and more. A second location of the refill bar is available at the Midnight Rambler on Colfax, as well. Here are my seven tips for easy spring cleaning.

TIP 1: TAKE YOUR SHOES OFF AT THE DOOR. We track germs, pesticides, and other chemicals into our homes through our shoes. Taking your shoes off at the door is an easy step to creating a cleaner home.

TIP 2: SWAP OUT YOUR BROOM FOR A WET MOP. Dusting and sweeping recirculated dust, allergens and other particles in our home. To effectively clean your home, use wet cloths and mops to pick up dust and dirt.

TIP 3: VENT YOUR KITCHEN WHEN COOKING. The HomeChem project, led by local researchers from CU Boulder, found that cooking in our homes can create indoor air pollution comparable to those of a mid-size city. To create a healthier space, turn on your hood vent, or crack a window if you don’t have a vent system.

TIP 4: UNPLUG YOUR PLUG-INS. We leave in a culture that loves scents. Products with synthetic fragrance can be harmful to our health, especially in households with compromised respiratory systems and allergens. Remove your plug-in air fresheners and conventional candles and look for essential oil diffusers or candles made of pure essential oils and either 100% Non-GMO soy, 100% beeswax or coconut wax.

TIP 5: DITCH YOUR DRYER SHEETS. You’ll find me always making this a regular request of clients. Packed with numbers of chemicals and not particularly sustainable, I recommend a switch to wool dryer balls or reusing wool socks that lost their match!

TIP 6: PACK UP YOUR PLASTICS. There is a growing body of research on the harm plastics may cause our bodies through our constant use. One place to reduce our exposure is through our food storage and packaging. Pass on the plastic storage and pack your leftovers and lunches in glass or stainless steel containers.

TIP 7: CHECK THOSE LABELS. Cleaning products and personal care products are minimally regulated and can contain ingredients harmful to our health. Some of the easiest ways to reduce your exposure are to look for products that are unscented (not fragrance-free) and are labeled phthalate and paraben-free. Want to dig deeper, download the Healthy Living app by EWG or stop in the store to talk.

Kara Armstrong: @karaarmstrongmph

The Conscious Merchant: @theconsciousmerchant // theconsciousmerchant.com