New year, new cleaning routine? Yeah, we said that too. Turns out, it’s a little more like new year, same lack of enthusiasm.
While experts often recommend a daily 20-minute reset to keep clutter and dust from piling up, finding even that much time can feel unrealistic. Instead of layering heavy sprays, harsh chemicals, and chlorine bleach onto problem areas, we’re opting for a few simple, high-impact solutions that are easy to use and even easier to maintain.
Wipe down cabinet doors and door panels to eliminate dust and dirt. (Yes, all the fronts.)
You wipe up stovetop sauce splatters. You brush away coffee grounds and bagel crumbs. And you probably do it all regularly.
But what gets often overlooked are your cabinet fronts—despite being one of your kitchen’s focal points. Inset and shaker-style cabinets, in particular, collect dust, cooking grease, and the occasional spill in their grooves. Over time, that buildup can lead to the kinds of bacteria growth and lingering odors you never want near your food.
Luckily, it’s one of the easiest kitchen wins. To clean, just mist a microfiber cloth with a non-toxic cleaning spray and wipe. No soaking, no scrubbing: just the natural antimicrobial properties of organic Australian tea tree oil. Our cleaning spray helps target odors at the source to prevent recurrence, while the quick wipedown lifts away any residue.
Clean behind toilets, vanities, and sinks to tackle any lingering grime.
Not glamorous. We get it. That’s why we’re here to make it easier.
While a Homes & Gardens study actually suggests that these areas aren’t the most germ-ridden spots in your home, they’re still frequently overlooked. Most weekly cleans focus on obvious bathroom surfaces like sinks, countertops, and toilet bowls, while ignoring harder-to-reach areas like:
- The gap behind the toilet
- Baseboards near your vanity
- The floor beneath pedestal sinks
These spaces quietly collect dust, water droplets, and mildew spores, which is why they’re prime culprits behind unwanted odors.
Fortunately, cleaning is simple. We use the same method that works for cabinet surfaces: a quick spritz of our naturally fresh surface cleaning spray onto a cloth or paper towel. Wipe, let dry, and move on. Azuna’s organic tea tree oil begins to target those smells immediately and works over time to help prevent new odors from forming, too.
Looking for a little extra odor control? We fill one of our Luxe Glass jars and leave it on the bathroom counter. One jar can freshen most bathrooms for up to 90 days, no daily effort required.
Clean your dishwasher and garbage disposal to eliminate unpleasant odors.
The average U.S. household runs their dishwasher about five times a week. That’s roughly fifteen hours of hot water, food residue, and detergent coursing through a dark, enclosed space—ideal conditions for mildew and bacteria growth. The same can be said for garbage disposals (found in about 60% of homes).
Routine maintenance matters. We recommend a non-toxic cleaner designed to break down food and soap buildup, or a DIY solution with white vinegar and baking soda. (Just run vinegar through on a separate cycle when cleaning your dishwasher; combine both in the disposal.)
And prevention is just as crucial. To keep odors from coming back, opt for a maintenance-free odor-eliminating solution. A small gel pod placed inside the dishwasher neutralizes smells between cycles, while another left near the sink or countertop helps eliminate garbage disposal odors overnight—but remove before your rinse cycle, please.
Dust the tops of your fridge, windowsills, and doorframes.
These surfaces quietly collect everyday debris, from dust and pet dander to airborne pollen—only to release it again when a window opens or a doorframe gets brushed.
Use the right tools to keep it simple. Attach a microfiber cloth to an extension pole or use a Swiffer with an extendable handle, then dampen with our Odor Eliminator and Surface Cleaning Spray for fresher air and cleaner surfaces.
A quick wipedown of your floor vents will remove dust and grime.
It’s time to look down.
Your floor and return air vents collect dust from foot traffic and pull particles directly into your HVAC system. That constant intake and release of air keeps dust, dander, and other particulates circulating throughout your home.
Cleaning your vent covers is easy: to remove, just lift from a corner. Use a family-friendly cleaning solution to wipe them down (we reach for our cleaning spray) and then reattach.
If you’re scheduling a full ductwork cleaning—recommended every three to five years—you can place a plastic HVAC-safe odor-eliminating pod inside your cleaned ducts.
Wash your bathmats and throw rugs, and sweep what can’t be laundered.
(And please, leave your shoes at the door.)
Bathmats, throw rugs, and welcome mats see it all—there’s a reason they can hold up to seven times more germs than a city street. So, if they’re washable (think plush bathmats or small kitchen runners) toss them into a wash cycle with an antibacterial detergent.
For non-washable items, vacuum thoroughly, and use a specialized tool if you’ve got shedding pets indoors. Consumer Reports has a list of the best low-maintenance carpet cleaning tools for pet hair removal.
Finish by sprinkling baking soda over the surface and allowing it to sit for fifteen to thirty minutes. Baking soda neutralizes oils and acidic spills, and vacuuming provides the friction needed to lift away dirt.
For longer-lasting freshness, pair with an odor neutralizer; our go-to is our Ultra Mist Mini, which eliminates lingering odors while adding a clean and subtle fragrance. Please note: while our sprays are safe for use on fabrics and upholstery, we recommend spot testing before application if you’re unsure about colorfastness.
