Have you ever thought about how the chemicals in your house or apartment are affecting your health? I hate to break it ya girls but there is A TON of scientific evidence and research that shows everything from your bedding to the bleach you use to clean your bathroom, is strongly affecting your health. So, here are 6 Ways To Remove Toxic Chemicals In Your Home.
Why Detox Chemicals From Your Home
Studies all over the world are directly linking the rise in diseases like childhood and adult cancers, reproductive challenges, diabetes, and so much more to toxic stuff in your home. The water we run from our taps, the lotion we smear on our skin, the shampoo we rub in our hair, even the dust in our houses is full of synthetic chemicals.
We’re exposed to these harmful chemicals everywhere- in our air, workplaces, water supply, food, and especially our homes, which is where most of us are spending the majority of our time! This is why it is vitally important to LIMIT your exposure to these chemicals.
Through the last 8 years of my journey to becoming a holistic health coach and switching over to a completely non-toxic lifestyle, I have discovered that when it comes to the home, it’s really all about 3 major categories: what you are BREATHING, CONSUMING, OR TOUCHING.
I know this whole process can seem sooo overwhelming so I wanted to create a resource of the 6 areas you can assess and begin to remove toxic chemicals in your home. Even the smallest change you make today can have majorly positive effects on your overall health – less anxiety, more regular periods, clearer skin, reduced allergies, and the list goes on & on. Let’s get started.
6 WAYS TO REMOVE TOXIC CHEMICALS IN YOUR HOME
CLEANING & LAUNDRY SUPPLIES
Similar to how it’s important to use clean personal care and beauty products, we also need to consider how our household cleaning products are affecting our health. I like to think of this category as kitchen cleaning products and laundry products. This is the easiest change you can start to make toward a less toxic home environment. Consider switching out your home cleaning products to safer options.
The good news is that the general public is starting to demand safer options and more ingredient transparency. There are a ton of companies to choose from these days that are affordable and effective. Just as I teach in my e-book, the Green Girl Clean Beauty Guide, you can use the Think Dirty app to check the safety of any home cleaning products.
Product Suggestions:
Dr. Bronner Cleaner Concentrate & All- Purpose
Doterra On Guard Immunity Boosting Cleaner Concentrate & All- Purpose
Doterra On Guard Laundry Detergent
Branch Basics Complete Line
AIR PURIFICATION
So much of creating a less toxic home environment is tied to limiting VOCs in the air (volatile organic compounds) that “off-gas” chemicals you then breathe. I believe that one of the best investments you can make for your home is a quality air-filter, especially for anyone who suffers from environmental allergies.
Pro tip: keep doors and windows open throughout the day for bringing fresh, clean air into your home. Also consider adding some air-purifying plants indoors, like a snake plant. Then keep your air-purifier in your bedroom and run it at night while you sleep.
Product Suggestions:
I am obsessed w/ our HEPA Air Doctor air purifier. You can read more about how to choose an effective air purifier in this post here.
WATER PURIFICATION
Similar to removing chemicals in our food supply by choosing to eat organic whenever possible, you may want to consider adding a water filter to your home. If you check out the Environmental Working Group’s Tap Water Database that analyzes data from 50,000 public water utilities nationwide, you’ll see that over 250 contaminants detected through water sampling are active in our water supply and impose serious health risks. For more information on water purification, you can check out this post I’ve written about our tap water system and how to see the contaminants in your own zipcode.
Product Suggestions:
I’d suggest opting for the Berkey water filter that works for apartments or if you own your home. They also have a great easily attachable shower filter.
CANDLES & AIR-FRESHENERS
As we just talked about with keeping your air clean, toss conventional candles and fake scents. I hate to break it to ya but anything Glade has go to go LOLz. Instead, opt for diffusing essential oils and using natural, nontoxic candles like beeswax candles.
Product Suggestions:
FOOD STORAGE
When it comes to hormone disruption and infertility, plastic has GOT. TO. GO. For real. Much of the health dangers of plastic are because of this thing called BPA, a synthetic compound used in plastic.
Replace plastic food storage (plastic containers, plastic wrap, etc.) with safer options I’ve noted below. I know it can be hard but you best part ways with your Ziplocks and Rubbermaid containers.
Product Suggestions:
Beeswrap instead of plastic wrap
Stasher Bag instead of plastic bags
Glass food storage containers instead of plastic food storage
FURNITURE, BEDDING, & BATH
This is a tough one but it’s a big contributor to those toxic VOCs we’ve been chatting about throughout this post. Most furniture and household building materials are made with chemicals like flame retardants, formaldehyde, etc. These are all “Vocs” aka volatile organic compounds that need time to “off-gas” & become less toxic over time. To help, you can keep windows/doors open as much as possible, seek out “low voc” furniture, & opt for cool vintage pieces when you can since those have had much more time to “off-gas” over the years.
Consider your bed and bedding first as it is easiest to replace with a less toxic option. Most mattresses are made with flame-retardant chemicals, seeping into us every night. Just do that math real quick- 8 hours x 7 days a week = way too much time for letting shit get into us and affect our health! Even just replacing your sheets or bath towels with organic cotton is a huge step in the right direction. Check out some safer brands below.
Product Suggestions:
Layla Mattresses and Pillows
Avocado Mattress
Boll & Branch Sheets, Bedding, & Bath
Threshold Organic Target Brand Sheets
Ettitude Sheets
Parachute Sheets
There you have it, friends! I know we covered a lot of ground and again, this can definitely be overwhelming so don’t worry. Take each category one by one and you can slowly invest in these replacements over time. Rome wasn;t built in a day, right? And removing toxic chemicals in your home takes time, money, and effort. If you need custom help or have any questions, I would seriously love to chat with you more in my FREE health coaching consultations. Book a call in this link here!
So, what replacement are you going to opt for first? Let me know in the comments below. XO, Dani
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