Making your home healthier and more environmentally friendly does not have to be expensive or time-consuming. By making a few simple changes, you can reduce the amount of toxins in your home and create a healthier environment for your family.
Indoor toxin pollution is as dangerous as outdoor pollution. The EPA estimates that indoor air pollution is two to five times worse than outdoor air pollution. Common indoor toxins are found in cleaning products, paints, carpets, and furniture.
The house should always seem like a safe place to unwind and let down our guard, especially now that many are spending so much more time indoors. Unfortunately, toxins and chemicals are creeping all over our homes, unknown to us. Making this the ideal moment to give the entire house a detox. Here are some tips for reducing toxins in your home:
Use Natural Home Cleaners
Many household cleaning products include toxins that persist in the air long after you’ve used them. Choose natural cleaning products manufactured from plants or minerals instead. Natural cleaning solutions are equally as effective as chemical-based ones. Also, making a change does not have to be expensive.
Vinegars can be used to disinfect surfaces without the use of bleach. In the same way, bicarbonate and lemon juice could be used for cleaning purposes. The conventional cleaners contain many skin and eye irritants, asthma-causing fumes, and mixed chemical fragrances. Natural cleaners reduce air toxins in your home and keep the air naturally fresh and healthy.
Use Houseplants
Houseplants can reduce air pollutants like carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, and benzene in your homes. It is one of the simplest ways to clean the air in your home. Top air purifier plants include Spider plants, Dracaenas, Chrysanthemums, Bamboo palms, and Snake plants. These plants purify the air from harmful volatile organic compounds. Add a few to your home today.
Detox your Food Storage
Many people preserve meals in plastic containers, wrap, or aluminum foil. But phthalates and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals can seep into the food. This can increase the risk of illness. Try glass food storage containers like mason jars or tempered glass. These are safer than plastics and do not leach toxins into your food. Beeswax food wrap and food-grade silicone are also suitable for this purpose. By purifying your food storage, you are not only creating a safer option, but you are also producing less trash, which is also beneficial to the environment.
Water Filters
Filtering your water is one of the best ways to reduce toxins in your home. Water filters remove impurities, including heavy metals, chemicals, and microbes from the water. A great option is a Berkey water filter which can also remove fluoride from the water. Put your filtered water in a glass bottle to avoid BPA and other chemicals found in plastic.
Cast Iron-Pans
Cast Iron pans like Le Creuset are a toxin-free option for cooking. They don’t contain PFOA or PFOS, which are chemicals that can increase the risk of cancer. Cast-iron pans are also a good source of iron and can help improve iron levels in the body. Non-stick teflon cookware is made with chemicals that can be released into the air when heated. These chemicals are linked to cancer and other health problems.
Freshen your Home Naturally
To freshen your air, remember to ventilate your home frequently. Open up the windows to let in fresh air. You can also use a diffuser and essential oils to refresh your home while also reaping the aromatherapy benefits. To filter the air use high-efficiency particulate air filters HEPA to remove the dust particles from the air.
Toxin reduction in homes does not have to be a daunting task. Making small changes can have a big impact on your health and the environment.
Don’t forget to detoxify your body as well as your home. Join Dr. Ryan for an upcoming detox. Classes start soon. Register here.
