⚠️ Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. The information presented is based on scientific studies but each situation is unique. Always consult a healthcare professional before changing your habits or using natural remedies, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, on medication, or have a chronic condition.
How I divided my household budget by 4 (and improved my health)
Four years ago, I spent around €250 per year on household products. Sprays, detergents, disinfectants, dust removers, window products, anti-limescale… My cupboard was overflowing.
And my health also paid the price: chronic allergies, frequent migraines, irritated skin.
Today, I spend less than €60 per year. And my health problems have greatly reduced.
My secret? I discovered that you can clean effectively with water and quality microfibers. More specifically, H2O at Home microfibers.
In this article, I share with you:
- Detailed calculation of my savings
- The health benefits that I have observed (and that science confirms)
- My honest opinion after 4 years of use
- For whom it is really suitable (and for whom it is not)
—
Calculating Savings
My budget BEFORE (classic products)
| Product | Average price | Frequency | Annual cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-surface spray | €3.50 | 1/month | €42 |
| Window cleaner | €3 | 1/2 month | 18€ |
| Soil product | €4 | 1/month | €48 |
| Laundry detergent (40 washes) | €8 | 1/month | €96 |
| Softener | €4 | 1/2 month | €24 |
| Disinfectant | €3 | 1/2 month | 18€ |
| Anti-limescale | €4 | 1/3 months | €16 |
| WC product | €2.50 | 1/month | 30€ |
| Air freshener | €4 | 1/month | €48 |
| Wipes | €3 | 1/month | €36 |
| TOTAL | ~250€/year |
Not counting sponges, gloves, various accessories…
My budget AFTER (H2O + natural method)
| Product | Price | Lifespan | Annual cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| H2O at Home microfiber kit | ~80€ | 4-5 years | 16-20€ |
| White vinegar (5L) | €3 | 2-3 months | 15€ |
| Bicarbonate (2kg) | €5 | 4-6 months | €12 |
| Black soap (1L) | €6 | 6 months | €12 |
| Marseille soap | €4 | 6 months | €8 |
| TOTAL | ~55-65€/year |
Real economy
| Position | Before | After | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual budget | 250€ | 60€ | 190€/year |
| Over 5 years | €1,250 | 300€ | €950 |
| Over 10 years | €2,500 | 600€ | €1,900 |
Result: I save around €190 per year, or almost €16 per month. Enough to pay for a Netflix subscription, a restaurant outing, or simply save money.
The true cost of H2O at Home microfibers
Let’s be honest: the initial investment may seem high. A complete kit costs between €70 and €120 depending on the options.
But here is the actual calculation:
- H2O basic kit: ~€80
- Lifespan: 4-5 years (up to 300 washes)
- Cost per year: 16-20€
- Cost per month: ~1.50€
Compare with a single multi-surface spray at €3.50/month. The calculation is quickly done.
—
Health Benefits (What Money Can’t Buy)
The financial savings are nice, but the health benefits are invaluable.
Problems I solved by changing method
1. Allergies and respiratory irritations
Before: Daily sneezing, stuffy nose when waking up, itchy eyes after cleaning.
After: Symptoms reduced by 80%. I can finally do housework without ending up in a crisis.
The scientific explanation: Household sprays emit VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) which irritate the respiratory tract. According to ANSES, 70% of household products contain irritating substances. By switching to water + microfiber, I eliminated this exposure.
➡️ Find out more: Allergies and Natural Cleaning
2. Chronic migraines
Before: 10-12 migraines per month. Often triggered on cleaning days.
After: 3-4 migraines per month. The correlation with the household has disappeared.
The explanation: Synthetic fragrances and VOCs are major triggers for migraines. By eliminating them from my environment, I removed an important trigger.
➡️ Find out more: Migraines and Domestic Pollutants
3. Eczema and irritated skin
Before: Dry, cracked hands, eczema which worsened after cleaning even with gloves.
After: Soothed skin. I don’t even wear gloves to clean anymore (since I only use water).
The explanation: The surfactants in detergents destroy the skin barrier. Water alone with a microfiber does not attack the skin.
➡️ Find out more: Eczema and Household Products
4. Unexplained fatigue
Before: Constantly exhausted, especially on cleaning days. I put it down to “physical labor.”
After: Stable energy. Cleaning no longer “empties” me.
The explanation: The body spends energy to eliminate inhaled toxins. Fewer toxins = more available energy.
➡️ Find out more: Chronic Fatigue and Environment
5. Sleep quality
Before: Waking up with a stuffy nose, dry throat, unrefreshing sleep.
After: Full nights, waking up fresh. My room has become a real sanctuary.
The explanation: Scented detergent residue on sheets and indoor air pollutants disrupt sleep. A bedroom cleaned without chemicals promotes quality sleep.
➡️ Find out more: Sleep and Healthy Bedroom
Benefits for the whole family
For children
My 8 year old son had asthma. Since we started cleaning without chemicals, his seizures have decreased by 70%. His pulmonologist confirmed the link between indoor environment and asthma.
➡️ Find out more: Children’s Health and Maison Sans Chimie
For fertility and pregnancy
For those trying to conceive or who are pregnant: endocrine disruptors in household products can impact fertility. Cleaning up your environment is one of the recommendations of specialists.
➡️ Find out more: Fertility and Household Toxins
For women going through menopause
Endocrine disruptors can amplify the symptoms of menopause (hot flashes, etc.). By eliminating them, many women notice an improvement.
➡️ Find out more: Menopause and Endocrine Disruptors
For the thyroid
People with thyroid problems (Hashimoto, hypothyroidism) are particularly sensitive to endocrine disruptors present in household products.
➡️ Find out more: Thyroid and Endocrine Disruptors
—
My Honest Opinion on H2O at Home After 4 Years
What I like
1. Real effectiveness
H2O microfibers clean really well. Better than a lot of regular sprays, in fact. Tests show that they eliminate 99% of bacteria mechanically.
2. Sustainability
My first microfibers are 4 years old and still effective. I’ve washed them hundreds of times. No noticeable performance loss.
3. Versatility
A multi-surface microfiber replaces: multi-surface spray, dust remover, wipes. Window microfiber replaces window product. The microfiber mop replaces the floor product.
4. Simplicity
My household cupboard went from 15 products to 5. Less choice = less time wasted = less stress.
5. The health impact
This is the benefit that I had not anticipated and which became the most important for me.
What could be improved
1. The initial price
80-120€ for a kit, that can slow you down. Even if it pays for itself in less than a year, the initial investment is real.
2. Drying time
Microfibers take longer to dry than a traditional sponge. You need to have several in rotation.
3. The habit to get into
At first it feels like “it’s not really clean” without the chemical smell of “clean.” You have to recondition yourself mentally.
Who it is suitable for
✅ Perfect for:
- People with allergies, asthma, eczema
- Families with young children
- People concerned about their health
- Those who want to reduce their household budget
- The minimalists
- The eco-conscious
❌ Less suitable for:
- Those who want “it to smell clean” (chemical smell)
- Those who do not want to change their habits
- Situations requiring medical disinfection (hospitals, etc.)
—
How to Get Started (Practical Guide)
The starter kit I recommend
| Product | Usage | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| H2O multi-surface microfiber | Kitchen, bathroom, furniture | ⭐⭐⭐ Essential |
| H2O window microfiber | Windows, mirrors, screens | ⭐⭐⭐ Essential |
| H2O microfiber mop | Soils | ⭐⭐ Very useful |
| White vinegar | Limestone, WC | ⭐⭐⭐ Essential |
| Bicarbonate | Air freshener | ⭐⭐ Very useful |
Startup budget: ~€100 (H2O microfibers + vinegar + bicarbonate)
Payback in: 6-8 months
Transition planning
Week 1: Replace the multi-surface spray
- Order a multi-surface microfiber
- Test on a surface (kitchen for example)
- Observe the result
Week 2: Replace the window product
- Test window microfiber
- Technique: one wet pass, one dry pass
Week 3: Replace the floor product
- Test the wet microfiber mop
- No bucket or product needed
Week 4: Consolidate
- Finish your old products without repurchasing them
- Add white vinegar and baking soda to your routine
Tips to maximize savings
- Buy the complete kit rather than the parts separately (often 20-30% cheaper)
- Take good care of your microfibers:
– Wash at 60°C max
– No fabric softener (clogs the fibers)
– No dryer too hot
- Use white vinegar in bulk: 5L can = ~€3, lasts 2-3 months
- Make your own laundry: Marseille soap + soda crystals = €3 for 3L
—
Summary Table – Savings + Health
| Profit | Financial impact | Health impact |
|---|---|---|
| Replacing sprays | -42€/year | Fewer allergies, migraines |
| Window product replacement | -18€/year | Less irritation |
| Soil product replacement | -48€/year | Better air quality |
| Fragrance-free laundry detergent | -20€/year | Less eczema |
| Softener removal | -24€/year | Less irritated skin |
| Removal of air fresheners | -48€/year | Fewer migraines, better sleep |
| Removal of disinfectants | -18€/year | Less respiratory irritation |
| TOTAL | ~190€/year | Overall improvement |
—
FAQ: Your Questions about H2O at Home and Savings
Are H2O microfibers really effective without product?
Yes. Studies show that high performance microfibers eliminate 99% of bacteria mechanically. It is the friction of microscopic fibers (100x finer than a hair) which captures and imprisons micro-organisms.
How long do microfibers last?
H2O at Home microfibers are guaranteed for approximately 300 washes, or 4-5 years of normal use. I’ve had mine for 4 years and they are still effective.
Does it work on stubborn stains?
For common stains, yes. For very stubborn stains (burnt grease, encrusted limescale), a little extra white vinegar or baking soda is generally sufficient.
Doesn’t white vinegar damage surfaces?
Avoid on: marble, limestone, aluminum. For everything else (stainless steel, glass, plastic, tiles), it’s risk-free.
How do I convince my family to change?
Start with you. Show the results. When they see the clean surfaces, the savings in the bank account, and your improving health, they will naturally follow.
Can we really do without disinfectant?
For normal household use, yes. Microfibers eliminate 99% of bacteria. Chemical disinfection is only necessary in medical settings or after an infectious disease.
—
Conclusion: The Most Profitable Investment I Have Made
In 4 years, I saved around €760 on household products.
But above all, I won:
- Mornings without sneezing
- Weeks without migraines
- Skin that no longer itch
- An energy that I no longer suspected
- A really clean house (not just “clean smelling”)
The best investment is not always the cheapest. This is the one that brings you the most.
The H2O at Home microfibers cost me €80 4 years ago. They saved me €760 and measurably improved my health.
That’s a good investment.
And you, ready to do the calculations for your own budget?
—
Additional Resources
Related articles on TreatmentNaturel.fr
- Allergies and Natural Cleaning: 10 Solutions
- Menopause and Endocrine Disruptors
- Asthma and Indoor Air Quality
- Eczema and Household Products
- Sleep and Healthy Bedroom
- Migraines and Domestic Pollutants
- Fertility and Household Toxins
- Thyroid and Endocrine Disruptors
- Children’s Health and Home Without Chemistry
- Chronic Fatigue and Environment
Scientific sources
- ANSES (2020). “Indoor air quality.” Collective expert report.
- OQAI – Indoor Air Quality Observatory. Data 2019-2023.
- INSERM. “Endocrine disruptors and health.”
- American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2018). “Cleaning sprays and respiratory health.”
—
*Article written by Maélis T., H2O at Home user for 4 years. Personal opinion based on my experience. Last updated: December 2024.*
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