Before diving into the topic of creating a toxin-free home, I want to share my “why?” with you. With any major choice we make, it is important to know why we make them.
Many of you know that my two youngest daughters were diagnosed with Autism as toddlers. In their early years, I did not know about the dangers of toxic cleaning products, so I used many of them freely in my home. I always bought the best smelling fragrances, but I had no idea that many fragrances can be harmful to the health of our bodies. Cleaning products and fragrances that contain toxic chemicals can also be very disruptive to our hormone balance.
My daughters had a lot of behavioral issues growing up and I realize now that the cleaning products I was using caused many of those issues. I also used common skincare products on myself and my girls. Many of those products also contain toxins that work their way through the skin and into the bloodstream. When I learned how toxic the chemicals are to our bodies, I switched over to all toxin-free products. Within a few months, we started noticing a difference in our girls’ behavior. They were able to focus more at school, their moods improved, and they became calmer. The health of everyone in our home has improved, and we very rarely get sick anymore because we are not exposing ourselves to unneeded and disruptive chemicals.
Many people are already aware of the dangers of hidden household toxins and the ways to prevent them. Others may not be as aware, or they may simply be overwhelmed with how to make the transition. Achieving a healthier home environment doesn’t need to be overwhelming and it doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing ordeal. However, it is a serious matter that deserves our time and attention.
Research shows that the air within our home is 2-5 times more toxic than the air we breathe outside. Isn’t that startling?! Inadequate ventilation (especially during the winter) is the primary cause of indoor air pollution. Other causes are chemical cleaners, beauty care products, synthetic fibers and materials, paints, glues….and even something as “simple” as a plastic baby toy that is “off-gassing” chemicals.
My intention is not to alarm you, but to empower you! By taking the proactive and preventative steps below, you can decrease the toxins within your home and reduce your risk of illness, allergies, and more.
Improve Air Quality
There are many ways to improve the air quality within your home. On beautiful days, open your windows and allow the air within your home to be refreshed. Adding plants to your home will help to purify the air. Diffuse or spray essential oils (my favorites are Thieves and Purification). Consider purchasing a Himalayan salt lamp. These lamps are intended to help attract pollutants in the air, increase the negative ions that we need, and neutralize the effects of electronics around us. Lastly, invest in a good air purifier.
Avoid Non-Stick Teflon Cookware
Non-stick Teflon contains Perfluorinated Chemicals (PFCs). When those pans get scratched, these chemicals are released into our food. Bake with oven-safe glass or ceramic. Cook with cast iron, stainless steel, ceramic coated pots and pans, and “green” nonstick cookware.
Upgrade Your Tupperware
Plastic food storage can be loaded with chemicals. Among those chemicals are Bisphenol A Plastic (BPA), Bisphenol S Plastic (BPS), and Phthalates. Plastics can be especially harmful if you heat up your food in them or place hot food directly into them, as the heat will allow the plastic chemicals to absorb into your food. Glass containers are affordable, non-toxic options.
Replace Candles, Plug-ins and Air Fresheners
The ingredients in these synthetic fragrances are some of the most toxic items found within the home. Recent research indicates burning a candle produces toxins similar to smoking a cigarette! Air fresheners emit over 100 different chemicals including volatile organic compounds (terpenes such as limonene, alpha-pinene, and beta-pinene; terpenoids such as linalool and alpha-terpineol; ethanol, formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, and xylene) and semi-volatile organic compounds (such as phthalates). Choose natural options such as essential oil diffusers and homemade sprays using essential oils.
Ditch the Dryer Sheets
Dryer sheets are one of the most toxic things within the home. Dryer sheet manufacturers are not required to list the ingredients used in fragrance blends. Try wool dryer balls scented with essential oils.
Replace the Shower Curtain
Ever notice when you pull a new shower curtain out of the packaging that it has that really strong, plastic smell? (some people like it!) You are smelling chemicals and toxins off-gassing into your home. Search for a PVC free shower curtain or spend a few more dollars to get a non-plastic curtain. Fabric shower curtain liners are a great option.
Swap Your Cleaning Supplies
As consumers, we quickly become brand loyal and we trust what we see on the shelves at the local supermarket. Some people never even consider that what is sold to us to clean our homes may be dangerous to our family’s health. There are thousands of chemicals in the world of cleaning supplies. Only around 200 have them have been tested by the FDA and only a few of those are even regulated. The chemical safety law hasn’t been updated since the 1970s, meaning that we have little oversight of the chemicals within our home. While there are many good, non-toxic brands available today, the only things we use in our home are Thieves products.
Consider Buying Used
Certain household items can off-gas their chemicals into our home for quite a long time (like the shower curtain mentioned above). Strive for less plastic and more natural fibers such as wood, wool, etc. and consider buying certain household items and children’s toys used.
Switch Your Beauty & Skincare Products
It may seem trivial to worry about your beauty products contaminating the air within your own home, but little toxins added up over time can create a big mess. From hair sprays to perfumes and more, those scents can fill your home with toxins.
Clean Regularly
Be mindful of certain things like not wearing shoes in the home, keeping a doormat near each door, and cleaning regularly to reduce allergens and dust particles that enter and circulate in your home.
Striving for a non-toxic home can be within your reach if you educate yourself and become more mindful about what you allow into it. We hope that these tips help you begin!
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