Routine detoxification of your home is an often overlooked, yet essential step to living clean. The standard living space continuously infiltrated with outside toxins, everything from mold, harmful VOC’s (volatile organic compounds), chemicals, and allergens. The following tips are easy and perhaps the most essential recommendations for detoxing any environment.
Keep the Chemicals Outside!
Check the shoes at the door. Aside from dirt and debris from outside surfaces, lawns and yards in particular can be full of harmful chemicals. Weed killers can contain Glyphosate which known to cause cancer. Lawn fertilizers can also contain harmful contaminants. For these reasons, its best to keep them outside.
Remove Décor, Furnishings, and Paint with Harmful VOC’s
Cheaply made décor and furniture (often imported from China) such as items constructed from manufactured wood, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and other artificial materials and adhesives can put off harmful gases. Its best to remove those and replace with products made from natural materials such as wood, cotton, glass, and metals. Another common source of harmful VOC’s is paint. Aside from lead paint, which is a separate issue in itself, try to use paint or purchase products marked “Low VOC.”
Use a HEPA Filter
Using a HEPA filter can help remove everything from allergens, bacteria, pathogens, particles, smoke, pollution, and even mold. Regular dusting and vacuuming is also important! Make sure your vacuum has a HEPA filter otherwise the particles will circulate back into the environment.
Tip: Test for Mold – If you suspect your environment might contain mold, its best to get a simple DIY mold test kit.
If mold is detected, be sure to get it removed as soon as possible.
Ditch the Harmful Chemicals
Opt for eco-friendly “green” cleaning products. Baking soda, vinegar, and citrus are excellent natural cleaners and can replace most harmful common household cleaners. Use natural laundry products free of artificial scents and chemicals. Wool dryer balls are chemical free, and they can save a significant amount of money. They can also reduce drying time, lowering your energy costs.
Use Water Filters
Whole house water filtration systems remove chemicals, harmful metals, and choline from drinking water and showers. IF a whole house system is not in your budget, opt for under the sink reverse osmosis water filters or a subscription to spring water. Water filtration containers such as the Zero Water Filter as also an inexpensive option. Additionally show head filters can also help reduce contaminants in the water.
More Tips
- Periodically open windows to air out rooms, even in the Winter
- Get houseplants
- Turn phones on airplane mode when sleeping, if possible
- Cook with iron and/or stainless steel – avoid nonstick cookware
- Keep electronic use to a minimum, if possible
- Use natural personal care product
- Let new furniture and rugs air out in a garage for several days before bringing them into the house
- Use beewax candles to help purify the air
