On our radar: Briiv Air Filter

We’ve had a couple of lovely sunny days over the Easter period. With all this recent sunshine, I’ve noticed the huge number of particles in the air when beams of light shine through the bedroom Velux window in the morning. Dust, dog fur, dander, wood-burner emissions, mould spores and goodness knows what else. I dread to think what we’re breathing in as we sleep!

I looked online into gadgets that clean the air and discovered the Briiv Air Filter; what a beauty. The company describes it as, “The most sustainable, recyclable air purifier on Earth”. The unit is fitted with two filters which last for a year; one is made of moss and the other coconut fibre. It looks like a mini terrarium – more of a houseplant than a household appliance!

Of course, like any 21^st century smart home device worth its salt, the Briiv Air Filter connects to your wi-fi and can be controlled using an app on your smartphone.

It currently retails at £329 which is a huge outlay, but they claim that it only costs £3.64 per year to run (based on the device being switched on for 6 hours per day).

Top 5 essentials for a healthy and clean house

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Our homes are our sanctuaries. The ultimate goal is to have a home that promotes wellness, relaxation and cleanliness for us, our households, families and visitors.

Here are 5 great tips for achieving a clean and healthy house, free from toxins and other harmful chemicals.

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1. Get that clean and fresh air

The air we breathe indoors can easily become filled with dust and unwanted particles that can irritate our breathing, skin, eyes and overall quality of life.

There are many ways you can attempt to keep the air you breathe fresh and clear of allergens and dust particles:

Remove your outdoor shoes on entering the house
Place a doormat in front of each door to avoid bringing mud, dust and dirt indoors
Add house plants to help purify the air naturally
Use an air purifier. These can be especially useful for individuals with asthma or other breathing complications.

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2. Use a skip

Using skips to dispose of filth and maintain cleanliness in the environment is one of the most eco-friendly and convenient means of disposing of waste.

Particles of dirt may not be detectable to the eye; the longer your waste stays in your space, the unhealthier your environment becomes. With skips, you can throw away your debris and be sure that it’ll be handled and transported carefully out of your area. And, it’s not complicated at all. Simply visit https://www.sheridanskips.co.uk/skip-hire/ where you can hire same day skip services for both your home and your business.

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3. Use natural cleaners

You’d think that spraying and spritzing your home with all of these cleansers on a daily basis would keep it toxin-free, but many products contain harsh pollutants and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can be as harmful to health as smoking!

The simplest way to ensure that your house is chemical-free is to replace your current cleaners, polishes and detergents with a range of healthier, more natural cleaning products.

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4. Substitute plastic containers

We’re all aware of the environmental hazards that plastics pose. However, its convenience doesn’t prevent us from stocking our refrigerator and cupboards with plastic storage containers.

Plastics, in fact, are hazardous to our health and that of our families. Phthalates (plasticisers) are found in all plastics and are harmful to the brain’s endocrine, neurological and developmental areas.

We expose our meals and the air we breathe to these harmful compounds whenever we reheat food in these receptacles. This is why it’s vital to promote healthy eating by using glass, stainless steel or other environmentally friendly materials instead.

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5. Keep your mattress fresh

We all wash our sheets and pillowcases regularly, but what about the mattresses?

Grubby or old mattresses can easily become repositories for collected dust particles, mites and other allergens that can evoke all kinds of allergies, breathing problems, skin irritations and overall low quality of sleep.

Keep your mattress fresh by vacuuming it each time you change your sheets. You can use deep-cleaning options at home or professional help to get a refreshed mattress.

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Natural cleaning remedies you need to try

If you were to look at your current cleaning products and read what’s actually in them, you’ll find an incredibly long list of chemicals. Some of which can be pretty toxic. More and more people are turning towards natural remedies; they’re cheaper, better for you and are a great eco-friendly alternative. You’ll be happy to know that your kitchen cupboard already contains more natural cleaning remedies than you think.

Baking soda

You may already be aware of using baking soda for cleaning. After all, you can use it in pretty much any room of your house. From scrubbing your bathroom and unclogging drains, to loads of laundry and carpet cleaning. Baking soda is such a versatile ingredient and it’s great at getting rid of odours and stains.

White vinegar

White vinegar is another great, multi-purpose product. You can use it to get rid of mildew, mould and stains. If you’re worried about the smell, you’ll be happy to know the smell fades pretty quickly or you can add a couple of drops of your favourite essential oil. You can also use white vinegar to create your very own all-purpose cleaner. Use equal parts vinegar and water, then add a few drops of essential oils to offset the smell. Or you could use citrus rinds for a lovely, fresh, scent. As with all cleaning, make sure you wear rubber gloves to protect your hands.

Lemon juice

Citrus is not just for scent. Lemon juice is an incredible cleaning product. There are so many different ways you can clean your home with lemon juice. You can add sparkle to your stainless steel, get rid of grease from your microwave and even clean your entire oven. Thanks to the natural acidity of lemon juice, it lends itself to being used for cleaning. Plus, its versatility means it can be mixed in with other natural cleaning remedies.

Salt

Salt is such an everyday kitchen ingredient – it’s mainly used for cooking and seasoning food. However, you can also use salt to help you clean your home. Salt is a mineral that does a fantastic job at helping you scrub off dirt. You can use it to clean grimy pans and get rid of rust. Also, when you combine salt with baking soda or vinegar, it boosts the cleaning effects.

Castile soap

You possibly won’t find this last product in your kitchen cupboard, but when it comes to sorting out natural cleaning remedies there’s no other product quite like Castile soap. It’s a plant-based soap. You can use it to clean your home, as well as yourself.

Changing up your cleaning cupboard and embracing natural products not only saves you some cash, but it’s also much better for the environment. Do you use any natural cleaning products that you’d recommend?

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Price Points: Plastic-free toilet brushes

We’ve got a sexy subject for you as this week’s Price Points… plastic-free toilet brushes!

Considering they’re, admittedly, quite dull items, I’ve spent a fair amount of time researching them on the internet this week. Little by little, we’re trying to cut down on the amount of plastic – both single use and multiple use – that we use. At the moment, we need a new toilet brush, so this is an opportunity on our plastic reduction journey.

I found ‘eco’ examples where the handle was made of wood – so far, so good – but the bristles on the brush were plastic. Or else, the brush was entirely natural, but the holder was plastic. These three, above, are all entirely plastic-free.

#1 is great value, however, it’s the only one that doesn’t come with a holder and I don’t fancy hanging it up by the handle to leave it to drip-dry.

#2 is no-nonsense and unobtrusive – my favourite, in fact. When not in use, the business end is hidden from view, but is quick to put into action.

#3 is probably the most ‘designed’ with a dual-action brush for cleaning the bowl and under the rim. It slots into a hanging bracket, so excess water drips into the pottery saucer below. My favourite model would have been this one if the brush had been concealed in its stand.

Natural coconut fibre toilet brush: £4.49, Amazon
Utility enamel toilet brush holder with natural fibre brush: £28.49, eBay
‘High quality enamelled steel (holder); brush has wooden handle with natural stiff plant fibres.’
Redecker untreated beechwood loo brush and stand with edge cleaner: £34.95, Trouva
‘Redecker brushes are manufactured, as they have been for decades, primarily from native woods, bristles, hair or vegetable fibres. Different natural materials are used to suit various purposes. Synthetic fibres or plastics are rarely used, only for special requirements.’

shop plastic-free toilet brushes

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