The Reason Why Cleaning My Home Has Become More Than Just a Chore

By Annalise Mantz

There's nothing like staying home to inspire a litany of household projects. Since I started sheltering in place, I've deep cleaned the kitchen, scrubbed the bathtub, reorganized the pantry, and tried countless new recipes.

I've also gone to battle with a horde of household bugs. Maybe they've been lurking in the corners all along and I just haven't noticed them until now, or maybe they've been emboldened by the lack of people walking around outside. Either way, I've been on a mission to rid my home of creepy-crawlies for the past few weeks.

First, it was the flies. Even though I haven't left my windows or door open, they somehow got inside. And they must have multiplied, because every time I take one out with Zevo Fly, Gnat, and Fruit Fly Flying Insect Spray ($7), another one starts buzzing around. Thankfully, Zevo's Bio-Selective™ Technology takes them out instantly and without the gross chemical scent you might expect from a bug killing spray. Not to mention, all Zevo sprays are safe for use around people and pets when used as directed.

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The next insect invader to appear was the spider. And not just any spider: This two-inch beast had long, scurrying legs that gave me the creeps. In desperation, I stacked books alongside the couch to stop it from hiding underneath while I grabbed the Zevo Ant, Roach, and Spider Crawling Insect Spray ($7). After spraying with Zevo, my spider foe was incapacitated, and I could dismantle my makeshift barricade — much to my husband's amusement.

Of course, the discovery of these household bugs spurred even more cleaning projects. What surprised me even more than the dust I found in unexpected places (who knew the baseboards could collect so much?!) was how therapeutic I found the process. Spending an hour scrubbing the bathroom from top to bottom or neatly folding and putting away laundry brings an intense sense of satisfaction. I've always favored nature-inspired cleaning products over harsh chemicals, but the light scent of Zevo sprays powered by essential oils was a nice surprise.

I even found myself looking forward to cleaning days — in a strange way, it's become my own version of self-care. It's one thing I have total control over during this uncertain time: I may not be able to solve the world's problems, but I can make sure my countertops are sparkling clean.

*when used as directed