Un-complicate Clean

There was a time when washing meant drawing water from a well.

When cleansing required effort. Intention. Gratitude.

In 1st century Judea, people did not stand in aisles comparing thirty-seven types of body wash. They did not scroll through flash sales on organic floor cleaner. They did not keep bins of half-used products under the sink.

They used what they had. And what they had was enough.

They washed with water.They scrubbed with ash and sand.They anointed with olive oil.They swept with reed brooms.They immersed in mikva’ot discovered in places like Jerusalem.They washed hands carefully, as referenced in Mark 7:3–4.

Cleanliness was not consumerism. It was stewardship. It was rhythm. It was reverence.

And somewhere along the way… we lost that simplicity.

When Clean Became Complicated

Today we are marketed solutions for problems we didn’t know we had.

We are told we need:

• A different cleanser for every surface.

• Separate creams for day, night, eyes, hands, elbows.

• A scent for every season.

• A product for every insecurity.

And we buy them.

I know I did.

I used to overspend constantly on “trying” products. I was always searching for better. Cleaner. More effective. More aesthetic. I would find something promising, use it halfway, then move on to the next thing that claimed to be revolutionary.

The result? Half-used bottles. Overflowing cabinets. A lingering sense of dissatisfaction. Money spent on things I did not need.

The irony is this: we have more than ever, yet we feel less content than ever.

Ancient households had fewer options—but they also had clarity. They chose what worked and stayed with it.

That realization slowly changed the way I shop.

The Freedom of Choosing and Staying

Instead of chasing every new launch, I decided to do something radical:

Find what I love. Test it thoroughly. Commit to it. Stop browsing.

And it has changed everything. Not only do I spend less…I feel calmer.

There is peace in knowing:“This works. I trust it. I’m done searching.”

Here are the brands I have found, love deeply, and now stick with.

Piper Blue – Makeup I Feel Good In

Piper Blue

I wanted makeup that felt beautiful, didn't make my face feel cakey, fall into any cracks, or had cancer causing ingredients, AND aligned with my values. Something clean, thoughtfully made, and not overly complicated.

When I found Piper Blue, I stopped hopping from brand to brand.

The formulas feel light.The colors are wearable.The packaging is lovely. And I’m not constantly tempted to “upgrade.”

One brand. A curated collection. Done. It fit every checkmark.

Evan Healy – Skin & Body Care That Feels Timeless

Evan Healy

If ancient women anointed their skin with olive oil, there was something grounding in that simplicity.

Evan Healy feels like a modern return to that rhythm. Botanical. Intentional. Minimal.

Instead of ten steps, I have a few beautiful staples that nourish my skin without overwhelm. My bathroom counter feels peaceful again. I can read and understand the ingredient list. They care about people and the planet so its also earthly stewardship. Each ingredient is thoughtfully sourced.

When you stop chasing trends, your routine becomes ritual instead of reaction.

My Twin Acres – Home Cleaning & Goat Milk Lotion

My Twin Acres

There is something deeply satisfying about cleaning your home with products made simply and well.

My Twin Acres has become my go-to for home cleaning and their goat milk lotion. The lotion is rich without being heavy, and the cleaning products are effective without filling my home with harsh chemicals.

Instead of a different bottle for every imaginable surface, I use what works. The all purpose cleaner does it, and the linen spray keeps things fresh. All are made on a family farm and in small batches.

Simple. Reliable. Enough.

Scentsy – Clean Air Since 2010

Scentsy

I’ve used Scentsy since 2010. That alone says something.

Their air purifier has been a staple in my home, and I love having a space that smells welcoming and clean without relying on aerosol sprays or cancer causing plug-ins.

Now, I’ll say this openly — Scentsy isn’t as overtly organic or botanical as some of the other brands I use. And I’m okay with that. The company’s heart also matters to me. They’ve intentionally built a debt-free company that truly supports and values their customers and consultants, and that integrity counts for something in my book. Their products allow me to change out scents easily without relying on the harsh plug-ins and aerosol sprays I used to buy — the kind that leave you feeling like you just walked down a chemical aisle in the grocery store. Life isn’t about being 100% perfect. It’s about finding what works, what you love, and what aligns with your values overall.

Their bathroom cleaner, for example, cleans my toilets and tubs just as effectively as Scrubbing Bubbles once did — but without that overpowering chemical smell lingering afterward. It makes the job faster, simpler, and honestly more pleasant. My favorite scent is Macintosh Apples. And really… which would you rather have filling your home? A synthetic chemical cloud or the fresh scent of apples?

Many of the warmers even double as gentle nightlights, creating a soft ambiance in a room or adding a little comfort and security for a child at bedtime. It’s practical and cozy at the same time — something I appreciate more and more as I simplify our home.I don’t need to try every new fragrance system on the market.I already know what I love. And that’s the point.

And Scentsy club - Autoships every 1, 2, or 3 months depending on your preference and allows you to get a discount, and keep your favorite scents. What other company does all of this? You can cancel anytime, change items, pause, etc, without worry.

The Financial & Emotional Shift

When you stop sampling everything, you stop spending everything.

Instead of:“I wonder if this one is better…”

It becomes:“This works. I’m grateful.”

The shift isn’t just financial—it’s emotional.

You move from:

• Comparison → Contentment

• Impulse → Intention

• Clutter → Clarity

And that clarity spills into other areas of life.

You cook more simply. You buy fewer clothes. You reuse what you have. You appreciate instead of accumulate.

It begins to feel closer to the rhythm of earlier centuries—less excess, more gratitude.

Returning to Enough

The people of 1st century Judea did not have abundance of options.

They had:Water. Oil. Ash. Cloth. Sand. Gratitude. And it was enough.

We don’t need to return to washing our floors with sand to learn the lesson.

But we can return to this:

Choose carefully. Buy thoughtfully.Stay loyal to what works. Stop chasing every new solution. Simplicity is not deprivation. It is devotion to what matters. And in a world that constantly tells us we need more…

There is quiet rebellion in saying, “This is enough.”

Hopefully I've helped cut through the time and funds when it comes to finding what is great and what works.

XO, Marie

PS. Yes, I am an affiliate with each of these companies—because I also love a discount.

If you choose to follow my link and purchase, you will not pay anything extra. I will simply make a small commission. But hear this clearly: Even if I were not an affiliate, I would still share these. I use them. I love them. They have simplified my home and routines in a way that feels sustainable and peaceful.