Hello, friends, this is Youheum. I'm an extreme minimalist practicing furniture-free living.
Today I'll be sharing my apartment cleaning routine including
surfaces, bathroom, dishes, and laundry. I'll also share my low-waste and
sustainable cleaning tools including my non-toxic all-purpose cleaning solution.
In my space, I use these a zafu instead of a couch. And I have a collapsible floor
desk instead of a full writing desk. Since I'm on the floor often practicing
active sitting, meditating, eating on the floor, and just chilling, I try to keep
the floor clean as much as possible. Also if you want to full tour of my
furniture-free apartment, feel free to check it out. I don't own or use a vacuum
cleaner but I have used it in the past. I no longer have it since I gave it
away and the reason why is because I do enjoy cleaning in silence.
This allows me to be mindful the practice of cleaning. Sometimes I notice that
I'm just cleaning away without a single distracting thought entering into my
mind when I clean in silence. I also think that my cat values quietness and
calm vibes more than anyone in this house. For me, I tend to go for
collapsible and compact items, this includes my cleaning tools for
a floor cleaning. I have a simple microfiber rag, a detachable quick loop
mop, and a plant-based brush. I also have a dustpan that comes in handy for cat
litter. First thing I do is to sweep the dust into the corner. Sometimes I skip
this if I feel lazy. It is important for me to keep up with my weekly
cleaning schedule but it's also good to listen to my own level of comfort and my
needs. So if I feel tired, I don't really force myself to clean.
When all the sweeping is done, I use the dustpan to collect everything. At the
moment, these are being thrown out as regular trash but feel free to share any
sustainable methods with us because I'm currently wondering if dust can actually
be composted and if it's okay to take it to my community garden. After step one
and two, I use my wet mop to go over the floor once again.
This collects all the dust that I missed and I use my all-purpose cleaner while I go.
I also make sure that there's good ventilation since I don't really want my
cat to be uncomfortable. I am aware that some people, they love having the
convenience of a vacuum or an efficient chemical cleaner and that's completely ok.
I know that certain tools are necessary especially if someone is
physically limited in movement. So I'm simply here to share what works for me
in this present moment. I do spend more time cleaning because I'm not relying on
vacuum cleaners or other useful things. For me, cleaning is also a part of my
mindfulness practice. I also like how I can sneak in some natural movement like
squatting and stretching while cleaning. I have noticed that when I get close to
the objects that I own, for instance, when I get close to the floor, I notice all
the patterns, spots, and marks. I sometimes see what I often miss when I
simply slow down and look closely at what is already here. So cleaning
definitely allows me to be more grateful and more aware of what I own in my life.
Also, be sure to share with me what changes you made in your own cleaning
routine or what changes do you hope to make in order to align with minimalism
and sustainability. Let us know in the comments below. Some of you already know
that I use my Scrubba bag and homemade laundry detergent for hand washing.
I'll leave a link in the descriptions for the recipe if you missed it. I tend to do
small batches of laundry with my Scrubba but of course I use my
apartment communal laundromat for large loads like my hammock bed, cotton throw, and area rugs.
I do hand washing three to four times a week for socks and undies.
But for my outfits, I do it once a week. I know that some of you asked me how clean it gets.
So far I'm very satisfied with my detergent and handwashing method.
It does smell and feel fresh at the end. I can also add some
essential oil fabrics spay if I want. I think the Austin heat and sun gets rid
of the germs too. So I choose to do laundry by hand mainly because I have a
15 item capsule wardrobe. I just don't have
enough clothing to fit in the laundry machine. I have to wash my clothes frequently.
If you want, feel free to check out my capsule wardrobe video. I will
also be doing a step-by-step video on how I fold my clothes compactly in the future.
I've been using diluted vinegar as a cleaner for many years. I love how
simple, low-waste, and cost-effective it is. It's just filtered water and organic
vinegar. I don't put any essential oils any more since it can be toxic to my cat.
But if you don't have a pet, feel free to add a few drops in it. I don't really
think that the smell is too strong and it goes away very quickly. So if you're
hesitant about that, it's not too bad. I'll leave a link to my blog post with
all the natural cleaning tools and also this recipe so feel free to head over
after watching this video if you want the full list. I used the same solution
and an organic bamboo rag for cleaning other surfaces like the top of my mantle.
But not on the marble counter top since the vinegar can be too strong. So I'm
currently just using water and a bit of soap. Feel free to share any
natural ways to clean marble tops. You might have already guessed how much I
love soap! I use a bar of soap for everything including washing my dishes.
I also have a crocheted hemp scrubber and a Japanese Tawashi scrubbing brush.
This lasts very long, its plant-based, and it's very durable.
I'm enjoying it so far. My cultural background definitely influenced my
decision to become an extreme minimalist. This is mainly because most Korean
people are used to sleeping on the floor, sitting, and eating on the floor,
also cleaning the floor by hand, and doing small batches of laundry by hand.
That's why I'm open to other people's approach when it comes to lifestyle
choices and their unique method of maintaining their space. The bathroom is
usually the last place I tackle since this is my least favorite. I used the
same all-purpose cleaner, a wooden coconut fiber brush, and my silicone
washing gloves. I found this after searching for a reusable long-lasting
dishwashing glove that doesn't tear so easily. For the tub, I'm using a short
natural brush but the only downside to wooden brushes is that it becomes moldy
and it becomes discolored if it's not dried properly. So I recommend giving
it plenty of sun after use. I do try my best to align with my low-waste goals.
That's why I go for natural cleaning tools and try to be chemical-free as much as possible.
But I know that it's difficult to be 100% sustainable within budget.
So I simply focus on trying my best without striving for perfectionism.
I know that being organized and clean might not matter for some people.
That's completely okay and I'm happy that you are content with where you are.
If cleanliness matters to you at this moment in your life, I can completely relate.
In the past, I thought that if I can't clean and live in an organized way
that I am a bad and irresponsible person. That's why I hated a part of myself
that allowed things to pile up. Now I believe that cleaning is not really
about removing bad things in order to become the perfect minimalist adult.
For me, it is about embracing all parts of myself including my clutter, my messiness,
and the distractions in my life. When I am able to embrace all parts of myself
I can see that cleaning is not really about arriving at the ultimate
cleanliness but it is about my own process and my own folding. I think it
only matters that I took some time in my day to commit to this practice as much
as I can with intention and mindfulness. It really doesn't matter
what it looks like and it doesn't matter that my life is not perfectly organized
in all aspects. I'm glad to share this message with you. If you enjoy this video
please like and subscribe to my channel. Also, if you need more tips on getting
unstuck with decluttering and organizing, feel free to get started with my
Minimalist Workbook. Thanks again for being here my friends
and I hope to see you again soon.