Why I Switched to Natural Cleaning Products

One of My Biggest “Whys”

There’s something about spring cleaning season in Michigan that makes you want to open the windows, freshen the house, and reset everything after a long winter. But for me, spring cleaning has always come with a challenge most people don’t see.

I suffer from severe asthma, and strong smells can trigger it almost instantly.

Perfumes, heavily scented cleaning products, air fresheners, candles, laundry products, and even walking through certain stores or public places can leave me coughing, struggling to breathe, or reaching for my inhaler. Sometimes I even have to leave an area completely because the fragrance is simply too overwhelming for me, even when it’s fine for others. 

As much as I’d love to wear perfumes or use all the “good smelling” products people enjoy, I can’t. My body reacts differently.

And honestly? Living that way for years really opened my eyes to just how much fragrance we surround ourselves with daily.

That was only  one of my  “whys” for switching to more natural products in our home.

What I Started Noticing

Once I began paying attention, I realized fragrance is in almost everything:

• Cleaning sprays
• Laundry detergent
• Fabric softeners
• Plug-ins
• Candles
• Carpet fresheners
• Hand soaps
• Body products

Many products marketed as “fresh” or “clean” actually made me feel worse and unable to breathe. 

For me, a clean home shouldn’t come with headaches, coughing fits, tight lungs, or needing medication just to tolerate the smell.

So I started simplifying and began using more natural ingredients like:

• Vinegar
• Baking soda
• Castile soap
• Wool dryer balls
• Essential oils 

Not because I wanted perfection, but because I wanted to breathe easier in my own home.

Why Natural Cleaning Matters to Me

Choosing natural cleaning products hasn’t magically cured my asthma, but it has helped reduce some of the triggers inside our home environment.

It’s also helped me become more intentional about what we bring into our space.

For our family, natural living isn’t about fear. It’s about awareness, learning, and making better choices where we can.

And I know I’m not alone. So many people deal with:

• Asthma
• Migraines
• Allergies
• Skin sensitivities
• Chemical sensitivities
• Respiratory irritation

Yet we’re often told strong fragrance means something is “clean.”

I’ve learned that fresh doesn’t have to mean overpowering.

My Goal with Well Sage Collective

One of my goals with Well Sage Collective is simply to share ideas, recipes, and wellness swaps that may help others create a healthier-feeling home too.

Not perfectly.

Not fearfully.

Just intentionally.

Because sometimes your “why” starts with something as simple, and as important, as wanting to breathe easier.

Simple Natural Cleaner I Love

Citrus All-Purpose Spray

• 2 cups distilled water
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 1 tbsp castile soap
• 10 drops lemon essential oil
• 5 drops tea tree oil

Shake gently before use.

Perfect for:

• Counters
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen surfaces
• Quick daily cleaning