None of us want to expose our families to toxins, especially when we are at home. When you take steps to detox your home environment, you can improve the health of everyone who lives there. Simple home detox steps can also help you become a greener person.
Many things that are bad for your health or fill your home with toxins are also bad for the environment.
Here’s how to get healthier, less toxic, and healthier A greener home.
don’t wear shoes inside
The easiest and cheapest way Reduce Toxic Substances in Your Home Exposure is for everyone to leave their shoes at the door. Most of the dirt, bacteria, and pesticides that get into your home come from everyone’s shoes.
filter your water
There are water filters for almost every budget. You can use a simple pitcher that you put on the counter and refill manually, or you can invest in a whole home system.
No matter how you filter your water, just make sure you’re doing it.
filter your water make it cleaner and purerWhen you filter your own water instead of bottled water, you are reducing the amount of plastic you are exposed to and the amount that ends up in landfills or polluted waterways.
Using a water filter is also much cheaper than buying bottled water on a regular basis.
Filtering the water removes the residual chlorine produced during the treatment process, so you may notice that not only is it good for how you feel, but your hair and skin may feel less dry or brittle.
buy an air purifier
In many cases, surprisingly, the air in your home can be dirtier and more toxic than the air outside. Air purifiers can help clean the air and also remove odors and allergens.
If you have respiratory symptoms or anyone in your household, choose an air purifier with a HEPA filter. HEPA stands for High Efficiency Specific Air and they capture 99.7% of particles larger than 0.3 microns.
There are other ways to Improve your home’s air quality Except buying a purifier.
Cleaning, dusting, vacuuming and wiping down surfaces will go a long way. Even air purifiers cannot remove particles once they have settled on surfaces, which is why regular deep cleaning is important.
Odors, moisture and gases are more likely to build up in your kitchen, bathroom and laundry. Use a fan or outdoor vent to keep the air circulating.
Open the windows when the weather is nice, unless you live where the outdoor air quality is poor.
Wash towels and sheets regularly and avoid burning candles or scented products as they can negatively impact air quality.
Using a dehumidifier can help prevent the formation of bacteria and mold that live in damp places.
Adding live houseplants will naturally detox your air. Indoor plants can remove pollutants such as carbon monoxide and benzene.
make your own cleaning supplies
It sounds counterintuitive, but the cleaning products you use can be the biggest source of toxins and harmful chemicals in your home. Do not buy chemicals in stores.
Instead, mix your own.
You can use ingredients like lemon juice, baking soda, and vinegar to create simple, effective, and non-toxic cleaning products that are more environmentally and budget-friendly.
The same principle applies when you do laundry. Detergents and fabric softeners can be irritating and even toxic. You can do laundry with something like vinegar. Vinegar is antibacterial, and it also softens your clothes naturally. The same goes for baking soda.
Instead of chlorine bleach, use Oxygen bleach and lemon juice on white clothing.
take out your rug
If you have carpet in your home and you have the opportunity to remove it, do so. Carpets are made from petroleum by-products and are often treated with stains and dyes. All of this means you’re constantly inhaling toxins.
Additionally, the padding typically placed under carpets often contains polyurethane or PVC, and carpets tend to stick to dirt, dust, and allergens.
Hardwood or tile are better options, and you can add washable rugs on top.
Rethink your cookware
Finally, non-stick cookware has been the go-to in kitchens across America for years.
We now know that nonstick cookware is often coated with toxic substances, Harmful PFA. Instead, try cookware made from cast iron, stainless steel, or enamel. If you can’t replace all your pans right now, keep your heat exposure low and open your windows while you cook.
If your nonstick coating is chipped or scratched, stop using it.
