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Most of us are figuring out how to eat green and clean for a healthier lifestyle, but there are many things we can do to detoxify our homes to make them as healthy as our diets. Room by room, go through your house or apartment and make these easy changes to detox your home.
DETOX HOME TIP #1: Breathe Easy and Fresh
Surprisingly, indoor air pollution can actually be much worse than outside. Furniture, carpeting, paint, and cleaning solutions are often made from toxic materials that release dangerous chemicals such as formaldehyde and benzene that we breathe without knowing it. And bacteria, mold, viruses, and allergens can get trapped in couches and even tabletops, infiltrating the air and making our homes less than pristine.
Improve the air quality in your home by keeping rooms well-ventilated and opening windows whenever possible. Clean or replace air-conditioner and furnace filters, and bring in a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter or an air purifier. Take your shoes off at the door so you’ll track in fewer toxins, and always choose organic paint and non-toxic furniture when buying new things for the home. Rather than burning a paraffin-based, scented candle to freshen the air, try soy-based, handcrafted candles such as those made by Zensual (www.zensual.com).
DETOX HOME TIP#2: Detox Your Bed and Bath
While it’s tempting to go after mold and mildew in the bathroom with tough cleaning products, many contain harsh chemicals that are bad for your skin and respiratory system as well as the environment. Switch to a natural, green cleanser such as Wipex All-Purpose Natural Wipes (www.aworldofwipes.com) or Method, Mrs. Meyer, or Ecover bathroom cleaning products. You can also go the old-fashioned route and spray the surface of sinks, tubs, and toilets with diluted white vinegar or lemon juice to get rid of stains and odors. Install low-flow faucet aerators in your showers to mix air into flowing water, reducing water consumption, and try a water purification system in the shower to get rid of chlorine in hot water. The Wellness Shower (www.wellnesshower.com) reduces 99 percent of harmful contaminants and enhances your water with rare volcanic minerals that can make showering more hydrating. And after you bathe, be sure to use a towel made from organic cotton or bamboo that hasn’t been sprayed with pesticides or synthetic fertilizers.
Did you know that most mattresses are made using petroleum-based chemicals, foams, plastics, and flame-retardants that have been identified are carcinogens? Green mattress companies use materials including natural latex and wool. If you’re not ready to invest in a new mattress, cover yours with a hypoallergenic cover. And opt for organic cotton and natural wool bedding for a cozy, green night’s sleep.
DETOX HOME TIP #3: A Clean, Green Kitchen
If you’re already eating organic, locally produced food you’re well on your way to getting herbicides and pesticides out of your diet. But don’t cook your healthy food in non-stick, Teflon-coated cookware that can contain low levels of chemicals known as perfluorochemicals and have been linked to several health disorders. Use cast-iron or stainless steel cookware. Remember, too, that just as in the bathroom, many kitchen cleaning products contain harmful chemicals, so use all natural, non-toxic products whenever possible. Thankfully, there are many brands to choose from on grocery store and even big-box store shelves. If you’ve got leftovers, store them in glass containers rather than plastic as studies have shown that contaminants from plastic may leach into food.
With these simple changes you can detox your home from top to bottom and feel good about your greener, healthier lifestyle! |
