A Healthy Home Detox

CLEANING PRODUCTS

Toxic chemicals are a given in generic cleaning products. Begin you healthy home detox by switching to natural alternatives. Not all cleaning products list their ingredients, so a little extra know-how may be required - anything with a danger, hazard, or poison label should be avoided along with ingredients (in the rare event they are listed) like ammonia, DEA, APE’s, and TEA. Although even the most natural cleaners contain small amounts of hard to pronounce ingredients, choose cleaning products like you would food. You can actually clean your entire house with baking soda, vinegar, Castile soap, hydrogen peroxide and citrus! If buying convenience products opt for shortlist ingredient lists (five or less) and as always, plant-based ingredients are the best choices, followed my solvent and phosphate-free labels. Avoid labels that promote vague terms like natural and ecologically-friendly. Alternatively, you may make your own products. Essential oils are a great way to give your home-made products a “scent”. Combine with hot water and elbow grease, you may never need to use a chemical cleaner again.

FUNITURE AND TEXTILES

Mattress manufacturers often add flame retardants to comply with fire regulations. Regardless of the chemical concoction used (there are more than a few), retardants are known to cause poor brain development as well as learning, behavior, and memory problems in children. Carpets also contain their own chemical cocktail - stain resistance treatments, antimicrobial properties, antistatic agents, etc. They’re all TOXIC.

PAINT AND DECORATION

Be sure to use no-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints. Many companies advertise no-VOC, but this is only the base white paint. Once color is added, it’s no longer no-VOC. If you prefer using wallpaper, avoid vinyl, which can trap mold and fungus and cause respiratory problems. Creating a home that’s healthy for you and the environment requires a lot less than you might think.

Natural wood, simple white (no-VOC) walls, and toxin-free carpets and furniture go a long way. You can also use other natural fabrics like hemp, bamboo, silk, and linen. A truly clean, green home can’t be achieve overnight - so if you can’t incorporate these suggestions right now, that’s okay. Start small and work your way to a 100% healthy home.

KITCHEN

Replace plastic drinking cups with glass or stainless steel. Plastic leeches PFAS (forever chemicals) into your food and drinks, especially in heat. Same goes for storage containers, ditch the plastic and opt for glass or stainless steel. For on the go, recycled paper produces that are not bleached or colored are a good choice. Use wood or stainless steel spatulas and serving spoons, and opt for unbleached parchment paper over aluminum foil. Detoxing takes time, so start with one piece at a time or when it’s time to replenish things like napkins or paper towels look for unbleached options.

HERE ARE SOME WAYS TO KICK OFF YOUR HEALTHY HOME:

  • Grow indoor plants

  • Open windows and allow fresh air to flow through rooms

  • Switch to energy-saving light bulbs

  • Open the blinds and allow sunshine to filter in

  • Compost kitchen scraps

  • Use appliances efficiently and don’t leave lights and other electrics turned on

  • Recycle trash

  • Buy recycled goods, and avoid plastic

Resources:

The Most Toxic Home Products http://geti.in/1cqpkSK

Non-Toxic Home Cleaning http://geti.in/1otRHux

How Toxic Are Your Household Cleaning Supplies? http://geti.in/1tndkdL

25 Ways to Create A Green and Healthy Home http://geti.in/1tndthe

©2014, 2016 Integrative Nutrition, Inc. | Reprinted with permission