Thursday

Welcome to Thursday! In today’s newsletter:

• The benefits of going “no-contact” with your clutter

• Things you should never put down your drain

• Bamboo might just save the world

• Are you mopping your floors often enough?

Discover “No-Contact” Decluttering

You may have heard of the “no-contact” method when it comes to dating and relationships, where you cut off all communication with a person to create some space.

However, this practice isn’t just for people. In fact, it can be a great way to create some space between the clutter in our homes and give us that push to finally get rid of the things we don’t use.

In this method, you gather all the clutter you might want to get rid of but can’t bring yourself to just yet and box it up.

Out of sight, out of mind is the philosophy here.

Not seeing those items every day around your home — and being “no-contact” — helps create some mental separation so you are less attached to those items and ready to part with them.

If you find yourself searching for or reaching for an item you know is in those boxes, you can remove it. However, after a set period — say a month, three months, or six months — if you haven’t reached for it, then get rid of it!

Things Experts Say You Should Never Pour Down the Drain

Whether you’re dumping things in your kitchen sink or getting rid of old products lying around the house, you may default to pouring things down the drain.

After all, if it’s a liquid, it should be able to go down the drain, right?

You may want to think twice. Just because something is a liquid — or close to a liquid — doesn’t mean it’s safe to go down the drain.

In fact, putting certain things down your drain may cause clogged pipes or wear away at them, causing blockages, leaks, or something worse.

In the name of long-term self-care for your home, here are a few things experts say you should never pour down the drain:

• Grease, oils, and fats: While these may be liquid when you’re cooking, as they cool, they can solidify and cause blockages.

• Medication: These chemicals can end up back in our drinking water, which can be dangerous. Dispose of old medications properly at a dedicated drop site.

• Flushable wipes: Despite the name, these can actually cause major blockages in our homes and at plants.

• Paint: This can cause plumbing issues and be harmful to the environment.

• Eggshells: Even when broken down, these can build up in our pipes and cause issues over time.

This New Toilet Paper Just Might Save the Planet

Every 24 hours, 27,000 trees are cut down to make toilet paper. To us, that feels like way too many — and Honeycomb agrees. That’s why this small, female-founded brand created luxury, three-ply toilet tissue made from bamboo. It feels just like regular high-end toilet paper, but doesn’t harm trees.

So why bamboo? It’s the fastest-growing plant in the world — growing 100 times faster than the average tree — which means thousands of rolls can be produced in the time it takes for a single tree to grow back.

Even better? Code NTS30 will give new customers 30% off their first order for the next 24 hours.

Get started here.

Thank you to Honeycomb for sponsoring Note To Self. 

How Often Do You Actually Need To Mop Your Floors?

When was the last time you mopped your floors? Maybe it’s a weekly — or more frequent — household chore for you. Or… maybe it’s a little longer than you’d like to admit and it only happens when there’s a major spill.

Experts say for “high-traffic” areas, it’s important to keep a regular schedule and mop weekly if you can.

These areas may include:

• Kitchen

• Bathroom

• Entryways

• And more

Especially if you wear shoes indoors, are cooking, have pets, and generally spend a lot of time walking in those areas each day, they can get dirty and accumulate germs quickly — even if they don’t look visibly dirty at first glance.

If you don’t wear shoes indoors or have pets, it’s probably not the biggest deal if you wait an extra week.

However, bathrooms especially can accumulate germs quickly, so that’s one area you’ll want to keep a diligent cleaning schedule.

Other less-frequented areas may be okay if mopped biweekly or even once a month. However, still vacuuming or sweeping these areas weekly will help them stay tidy.

Remember: Cleaning is self-care for our home environment, health, and minds!

A Note From Us

Parting Thoughts

• ✅ Did You Know: Most germs can survive on our hands for 3 hours! This is why it's super important to wash them frequently and keep good hygiene!

• 🙋🏼‍♀️ Snapshot Of The Day: We'd love to see moments from our readers lives that they are proud of! If you recently accomplished an achievement, experienced a joyful moment, or are proud of a picture you have taken, be sure to capture it on camera and send it to us for a chance to be featured next week! 

• 💭 Final Self-Care Thoughts for Today: Try going no-contact with your clutter and see if it helps you scale down!

Enjoying Note to Self?

Know of a great self-care tip or article you'd love to share with the community? Want to send us pictures of you completing one of your self-care rituals? Email us at [email protected]!