Start 2021 With A Clean Home
Many people don't realize that we are surrounded by toxins on a daily basis. I bet you don't think twice about using Windex to clean your windows or having a bottle of bleach right under your kitchen sink.
Our homes are filled with hundreds of different chemicals, which get trapped inside our insulated walls. It's actually estimated that indoor air is up to five times more polluted than outdoor air. Just think about it — simply living in your home can make you sick.
With more and more serious conditions and diseases being linked to environmental toxins, it's essential to start thinking about detoxing your home. Here are some helpful tips that can reduce your family's exposure to chemicals, boost your immune system, and jumpstart your clean living for 2021.
Swap your toxic cleaning products
Cleaning products are some of the most toxic things you can find in a home. According to research, exposure to conventional cleaning products is the same as smoking a pack of cigarettes a day - yikes. Yes, it's that bad. The chemicals in these products have been linked to reproductive disorders, learning difficulties, asthma and even more serious issues like autoimmune and cancer.
So start your home detox by taking out all your cleaning products and reading each of their labels. It's not always easy to tell whether a product is harmful or not, but a good rule of thumb is to eliminate all products fall into the following categories.
They have the words "caution" or "danger" on the label
Directions indicate that you should ventilate the room when using the product
There are warnings of skin, eye, and respiratory irritation
Instructions recommend wearing a mask or gloves while using the product
Direction for hazardous waste disposal (let's be honest, if a product is too dangerous to throw it in the garbage, do you even want it in your home?)
The product contains chlorine bleach, a substance that's classified as a pesticide. Bleach fumes can cause numerous illnesses and asthma
Contain synthetic fragrances - this might sound the least toxic but these fragrances are huge endocrine disruptors and are linked to all sorts of health concerns
And if you're wondering what to use instead of those toxic products to clean your home, here are some DIY ideas:
Baking soda — use it to clean, scour, and deodorize. You can use baking soda every day and you'll quickly notice how it absorbs odors, too.
White distilled vinegar/Industrial strength vinegar — because it's a natural antibacterial solution, vinegar is a good cleaner for baths, toilets, countertops and more.
Tea tea oil — another powerful antibacterial agent, tea tree oil is ideal for cleaning the kitchen and bathroom.
Fresh lemons — lemons are highly acidic, which means that they fight effectively against household bacteria
And in terms of natural brands that I personally use & love:
Branch Basics — I love this brand because they are 100% clean, non toxic and very affordable. They use a simple concentrate diluted to different variables for different uses making for much less waste, simplified shopping and less burden on the planet.
Overhaul your personal care items
Another area where you can make easy swaps and start using products that are free of toxins is personal care. From toothpaste to makeup, many of the products we use every day are in fact harmful, so it's a good idea to assess each of them and decide whether they're worth keeping.
Some products where you can make some easy swaps and use non-toxic alternatives include sunscreen, makeup, lip care, facial moisturizers, deodorant, body lotions, and fragrances.
As a rule of thumb, you should eliminate any product that contains one of the following ingredients:
Parabens
Amines
Mercury
Sulfates
Formaldehyde
Retinoic acid
If you want the benefit of knowing what ingredients are going on your skin, you can make some DIY swaps with natural products that are already in your kitchen. For example, you can slather a little avocado & honey on your face for a hydrating mask or smear a bit of coconut oil on your eyelids and lips as a moisturizer. Non-toxic beauty has come a long way in the last few years also, some of the brands I use regularly are:
Ilia - foundation, mascara and blush/bronzer
Isun - body oil
Necessaire - body wash and lotions
Inner Sense - shampoo & conditioner
Coola & Josh Rosebrook - sunscreen
May Lindstrom - luxury skincare including masks, oils and my favorite the blue cocoon & honey mud
A clean slate for your diet
These days we unfortunately get a lot of toxic exposure from the food we eat, so it's vital to start eliminating harmful chemicals from our plates and our kitchens.
Start by reducing the number of plastic containers in your kitchen. There are lots of chemicals in plastic containers that leak into the food and when you heat them in the microwave or dishwasher that’s even worse. Switch to glass containers, silicon straws and stasher bags instead of ziplock.
Next, get a water filter to make sure that every glass of water you drink and all the water you use for cooking has a reduced number of contaminants – I highly recommend a whole house water system if possible - we use Aquasana and an additional UV system for extra protection.
Now is definitely the time to say goodbye to plastic water bottles, which contaminate the water you drink (yes, even the BPA-free ones). Swap them with stainless steel bottles instead, which won't contaminate your water while also being sturdy and lightweight. My favorite is this one from Hydroflask
Benefits of creating a clean/green home
Creating a green home is a lifestyle choice that comes with so many benefits for you and your family, but also for the planet. Here are some of the most important of them:
A clean/green home is healthier for you and the planet — by eliminating toxic products from your home, you can improve the overall indoor air quality and reduce health risks for your family while curbing the amount of harmful chemicals that are released into the atmosphere.
Green home products can be less expensive — swapping traditional cleaning and makeup products with simple, eco-friendly alternatives is great for your budget. Cleaning agents such as vinegar and baking soda are very inexpensive, as are lemons and oil.
Your home will smell better — by skipping out on the strong chemical stench of traditional cleaning products, your home is bound to smell much more pleasant. Because who likes their home to stink of ammonia or bleach?
Improve your family's safety — using green only cleaning products is safer for your family, especially if you have young children in the home. Small children are highly susceptible to harmful chemicals, so making the transition to environmentally friendly products means that you're creating a safer atmosphere and also reduce the risk of chemical poisoning.
With all the struggles of 2020 concerns about staying healthy are becoming more and more important, many people are becoming increasingly aware of the harsh effects of chemicals in their home and opting for greener alternatives instead. Opt to make your home healthier in 2021 and you'll never look back.