(This story is sponsored by AspenClean.)

At this time of year, it can feel a little more challenging maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Suddenly salads don’t have the same appeal and mustering the energy for a rainy-evening run in the dark is, well, not happening. So given how much time we’re likely going to be spending indoors, let’s endeavour to make our homes the happy and healthy spaces they should be.

But if the thought of cleaning and tidying your humble abode has you reconsidering facing the elements outside, then you should think again. That’s because being organized at home could actually make you feel better—and healthier. In an article published in Psychology Today, there are a number of studies that suggest having clean and uncluttered living quarters can positively impact your health, mood, and ability to sleep.

And thankfully, there are professionals who can help. AspenClean is a green, natural, and eco-friendly cleaning service. And the business just won best home cleaning service for the third consecutive year in the Straight’s Best of Vancouver readers’ choice awards! Alicia Sokolowski and her husband Chris founded AspenClean in 2004 after starting a family.

“Having children requires more cleaning and we started questioning whether using chemicals around them was the right thing. And that led to more research,” says Sokolowski. “At the same time, I came across microfibre cloths and was amazed at how effective they were. And that’s why we decided to embark on our venture of natural house cleaning—both services and products.”

The AspenClean team will come to you fully equipped with all the tools, products, and materials to make sure your home is spick and span—without the use of chemicals or carcinogenic toxins.

“All the vacuums we have are custom-made for us. They have HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters that ensure the dust stays in, as opposed to being blown in the house,” says Sokolowski. “We bring all our products with us and there’s a whole method that we use. We have powders or concentrates for those tougher challenges. And we have cleaners for various areas around the house with the right tools to help them accomplish those tasks.”

It’s important to consider using natural and organic products in your home because the alarming truth is that your regular household cleaning products are potentially doing more harm than good.

“I think people are becoming more aware,” says Sokolowski. “There are a lot of issues—illnesses, allergies, and chemical sensitivities in adults, children, and pets.”

In fact, according to CBC News, a recent study published by the Canadian Medical Association found that the use of household disinfectants may alter an infant’s gut flora and contribute to childhood obesity. A Reuters article suggested that there could be a link between the use of certain cleaning products and asthma.

So a big part of what AspenClean is trying to do is to educate people on the risks.

“We started with services because there was a lot of research done of women especially, who were working in these roles and had health issues linked to using chemicals. We started with cloths and then we were looking for a product that would be both healthy and effective.”

When the Sokolowskis could not find a product on the market that met their exacting standards, they decided to create it for themselves. Chris is an electrical engineer by training, so he worked with chemists to formulate the AspenClean products, all of which are made in Canada, as well as being Ecocert- and Leaping Bunny-certified. All ingredients are listed and you won’t find any artificial fragrances, colours, or petroleum. The Natural Dish Soap is perfect for anyone with scent sensitivities or dry hands.

But AspenClean isn’t just good for your home—every step has been taken to be better for the environment, too. The microfiber cloths can be washed every day and will last around two years. And the AspenClean office refills bottles for the cleaning teams to avoid the unnecessary disposal of plastic.

And while it would have been far easier for Sokolowski and her husband to produce a bottle that was 60 or 80 percent recycled plastic, they wanted more. So after months of hard work and the help of a colour specialist they created the current AspenClean bottle, which is 100 percent recycled and still looks white. And really, this ethos can be said for every aspect of AspenClean’s mission—to never compromise on achieving the best.

“It just didn’t make sense for us to use anything other than the best,” says Sokolowski. “We didn’t want to cut any corners.”

For those looking to experience AspenClean’s award-winning home cleaning services book online or contact the customer care team via phone, chat, or email. Or, better still, enter below to win a free home cleaning valued at $350 or $100 worth of AspenClean products.