When it comes to keeping a healthy home, knowing how to do it is not so easy. According to a research by the Journal Environmental Science & Technology, the average home can contain up to 400 chemicals, some of them are toxic and many untested.
Read on to find 10 Ways to Detox Your Home.
So you want to create a healthy home? Knowing where to start and what to do is not always easy. What are the natural cleaning products that are most effective? How do I know which products are environmentally friendly and safe for my family to use?
Learn how to detox your home with our 10 simple but effective ways to reduce your toxic load and create a healthier living space for you and your family.
1. Remove your Shoes
The soles of your shoes can contain anything from lead dust, petrol, fertilisers, pesticides and other hazardous chemicals and bacteria. When you enter your home it is a good idea to leave your shoes at the door. At a minimum, keep all the rooms of your house and spaces for children shoe free zones.
2. Open your windows
Indoor air can be five times more polluted than outdoor air. Open the windows every day and use a natural alternative to air fresheners like baking soda to absorb odors in and around your home.
3. Get rid of dryer sheets
Dryer sheets are coated with chemical compounds such as quaternary ammonium and acetone, which have been linked to the development of asthma. Acetone is also commonly found in nail polish. In addition, your towels lose their ability to absorb water abilities due to the chemical coating.
4. Go green, inside and outside
Going green at home has never been easier. Inside the home, consider the installation of low energy lighting and replace conventional valves with efficient water fittings. Outside, think about installing a rainwater tank and grow your own herbs and vegetables.
5. Choose your furniture wisely
Furniture is one of the biggest investments we make in our homes. Of course, we want it to look good and last a long time, however, we should also expect it to be “healthy”.
When you're in the market for new furniture, look for low-impact materials, including recycled wood, fast growing timber (such as bamboo), flax, hemp, organic cotton, wool or fabric mohair coatings, cotton or wool and filling of water stains and based finishes.
6. Know your plastics
Some plastic containers can leak a chemical called bisphenol A (BPA), which is known to impair hormones. In 2012, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned BPA from infant bottles and cups. Then in 2013, a research study in the journal Endocrine disruptors found that it can be associated with obesity, cardiovascular disease and other conditions in adults.
So avoid plastics labeled with a 7, which may contain BPA, and never put plastic containing BPA in the microwave or dishwasher; BPA are more likely to penetrate when heated. Buy fresh or frozen foods, and watch for glass and cardboard packaging, if possible (the lining of cans might contain BPA, too).
This is particularly important when it comes to acidic and oily foods, which can enable more leakage of BPA.
7. Make your own cleaning products
Try this non-toxic DIY all-purpose cleaner:
Mix 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda with 2 liters of water. Store and keep. Other basic ingredients you can use are lemon juice, hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, castille soap and a few essential oils.
8. Keep dust to a minimum average, one gram of house dust contains around five million fungal spores, seven million bacteria, dust mites. To keep dust to a minimum, organise your wardrobes, change your bedding weekly, open the windows when you are cleaning the house, use a good quality vacuum cleaner and try to air and dust out rugs and cushions on a regular basis.
9. Use natural materials
If you are planning to build a house, you should considering choosing natural and healthy building materials. Try to stay away from synthetic materials which are often loaded with toxic chemicals.
10. Choose safer storage containers
Keep your food fresh and clean environment by avoiding plastic containers if possible. Glass, stainless steel and ceramic are much safer options. The chemicals used in plastics can escape into your food and drinks, especially when the container is heated in the microwave or left in a warm place. The plastic may also release toxic fumes into the air.
If 10 changes are a little bit overwhelming, why not start with one and go from there? Even small changes can go a long way to reducing your exposure to toxic chemicals.
Now over to you: tell us your best tip to detox your home or the number one thing that's holding you back from going non-toxic. What’s stopping you?