The Ten Minutes That Reveal Everything

The Ten-Minute Test

I lock my doors and keep external threats out.
But what about what is already inside, invisible perhaps, and quietly insidious?

Ask yourself these questions after you clean.

How do I feel after mopping the floors?

Does the fragrance linger in the air for a long time?

Do I associate a strong scent with freshness?

Do I get a headache after using the cleaner?

Do my eyes smart or my skin sting after cleaning?

Do I find myself holding my breath while cleaning the toilet with bleach or conventional cleaners?

Do I immediately open windows to let the strong smell or fragrance out?

Now move closer to the surfaces and fabrics you live with every day.

Do I rinse dishes repeatedly to wash off the dishwashing liquid?

Do my hands feel clean or stripped?

Does my skin feel dry or irritated after washing dishes?

Do my clothes feel dull and limp after a wash?

Now think about the people and pets closest to the ground.

Would I feel comfortable letting my baby crawl on this floor?

How does my pet’s skin look? Does it seem irritated or prone to allergies lately?

And once the surface dries, pause and notice.

Does it feel squeaky clean?
Sticky?
Coated?

Finally, ask the question that matters most.

Is this something I am comfortable using every single day, for years, in a closed indoor space?

Because safety is not always loud or obvious.
Sometimes, it is what we have learned to ignore.

And perhaps the simplest question of all.

Should clean be loud and performative, or quiet and reassuring?

If you’re noticing more than one of these, it’s worth asking why, Start with what we found when we looked.