More Ways to Improve the Health of Your Home
As well as eliminating harmful chemicals, there are other ways to improve the health of the home. The more time you spend creating a healthy home environment, the healthier and happier you and the family will be.
Not sure where to start? Below, you’ll discover more ways to improve the health of your home.
Invest in an air purifier
Ensuring the home’s air is clean is one of the most important steps when making the home healthier. This can be achieved with a good quality air purifier. These help to eliminate fine particle matter from the air. This has been linked to heart disease and lung issues. However, when purchasing an air purifier, make sure you’re getting the best quality. Some won’t be able to remove the smaller fine particle matter.
Open your windows regularly
Good ventilation is also important for the health of the home. For this reason, you’ll want to make sure you open your windows frequently.
Even in winter, you should open the windows once each day to allow fresh air to circulate around the property. If you have air filters in the home, you’ll also want to replace these frequently to ensure they are working correctly.
Take shoes off outside
Taking your shoes off after a long day is one of the nicest feelings. However, do you tend to take them off inside the home? Most people remove their shoes inside, but this means you may have trodden some harmful toxins into the home.
Instead, it’s best to remove your shoes before you get into the house. This may not be easy when it’s raining and wet outdoors. However, you could always take them off on the welcome mat just inside the home.
Add more plants to the home
Plants are one of the best natural ways to remove harmful toxins from the home. They can help to purify the air and eliminate carbon dioxide.
Not all plants and flowers will boost the quality of the air. So, you’ll want to focus on ones that do such as Areca palms, rubber plants, peace lilies and Aloe vera.
Switch to soy candles
Do you frequently use scented candles to enhance the smell of the home? If so, you could be unknowingly adding harmful chemicals into the environment. The Petroleum based paraffin candles are the worst culprits for toxic fumes. Instead, opt for 10%% soy candles or other vegetable-based candles. These don’t produce any harmful chemicals at all.
Give the home a spring clean
When was the last time you gave your home a full spring clean? If you can’t remember or it was a long time ago, now’s the time to give it a big clean.
Cleaning the home regularly is one of the easiest ways to reduce harmful chemicals in the home. It eliminates dust, dirt and debris which could be a haven for bacteria. Ideally, you’ll want to try and do a big clean once a month. However, if this isn’t possible every few months should be enough.
Filter tap water
Tap water can contain a lot of nasty chemicals. To ensure yours isn’t contaminated, it’s worth investing in a water filter. When you drink the filtered water, you can rest in the knowledge that it doesn’t contain anything harmful.
As you can see, there are plenty of ways to improve the health of the home. Paying attention to the cleanliness of the home, while focusing on air quality will help to make it a much safer space. The more effort you put into cleaning the home and making it a healthier place to be, the better your quality of life will be.
Natural Alternatives to Harmful Chemicals
As harmful chemicals are typically found in everything from our food to our cleaning products, it’s easy to think they are unavoidable. However, did you know there are some great natural alternatives you can use?
If you’re looking to limit your exposure to harmful chemicals, below you’ll discover some great natural alternatives to consider.
Stainless steel cookware
Most homes take advantage of the convenience of non-stick cookware. However, did you know it can give off toxic gases when being used?
Brands such as Teflon, use Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which is what gives the cookware its non-stick properties. However, studies have shown that when heated to high temperatures, toxic gases are released. This can lead to problems such as production issues and potentially even cancer. Instead, it’s best to use stainless steel cookware. If you can’t live without your non-stick cookware however, it’s best to cook with them over lower temperatures.
Use glass, rather than plastic bottles
Plastic water bottles tend to be the go-to option. However, they can also contain numerous harmful chemicals such as BPA. These can leak through into the water, then absorb into the body when you drink from them.
Instead of using plastic bottles, aim to switch to glass bottles instead. These don’t contain harmful chemicals and they are reusable which means they are also better for the environment too.
Natural cleaning products
Cleaning products are a huge source of harmful chemicals. However, did you know you can now purchase natural cleaning solutions?
There are more natural cleaning solutions out there than ever before. When you consider traditional chemical cleaners contain bleach and ammonia, it’s worth looking into natural alternatives. The fumes released from cleaning products can lead to respiratory issues and they are also extremely dangerous for children.
There are lots of natural alternatives you can try. As well as pre-mixed natural solutions, you can also choose to make your own. Vinegar, baking powder and lemon juice are the main natural ingredients used in alternative cleaning solutions. Take a look online and you’ll find lots of natural cleaning product recipes to try out.
Natural insect repellents
As the weather warms up, all kinds of bugs can start to invade the home. Ants, wasps and flies are common pests that we typically tend to kill off with insect repellent.
Insect repellents are known to contain harmful chemicals. This is why they often have instructions to spray them, leave the room for a set time period, and then air the room out afterwards. They may be effective, but they could seriously harm your health.
Like natural cleaning solutions, you’ll also find lots of recipes online for natural insect repellents. Did you know for example, lemon juice and vinegar can be off putting to certain insects? Simply do an online search for natural insect repellents, followed by the pest you’re having trouble with, and it will show you the best natural products to use.
Flowers instead of air freshener
If you like to keep the home smelling fresh, it’s common to use cans of air freshener. However, these too contain harmful toxins which can build up in the home.
Instead of using air freshener, there are plenty of natural alternatives you can try. Fresh flowers are a great option. Not only do they smell divine, but they also help to brighten up the home. There may be a lot of harmful toxins found in traditional products, but there is also a lot of natural alternatives out there. The above are just some of the natural alternatives to harmful chemicals you can start using today. It’s also worth looking into natural based cosmetics and baby products too.
Invisible Threats You May Not Think About
When it comes to removing toxins from the home, some are more obvious than others. There are a number of hidden toxins you might not even be aware of that could pose a risk to your health. Here, you’ll discover some invisible threats you may not think about when removing toxins from the home.
Dust mites
You can’t see them, but dust mites are very much present in the home. Known to live on fabrics, particularly mattresses, it is the fecal matter from these mites which causes potential health issues.
As you vacuum and carry out dusting of the home, it can release the fecal matter into the air. This is when you breathe it in, and it can cause issues. Washing bedding regularly and reducing damp in the room will help combat dust mites.
Air fresheners and perfume
Air fresheners and perfume might smell divine, but they could be harboring harmful toxins. In fact, they could contain hundreds of different chemicals.
The trouble occurs when the chemicals in the perfume and air freshener, mix with the ozone in the air. This in turn can lead to the development of secondary indoor pollution chemicals. This can cause headaches, digestive troubles and allergic reactions. Using natural air fresheners and perfumes will help eliminate this worry from the home.
Bisphenol A (BPA)
BPA is a plasticizer, used to make plastics much more flexible. It is frequently found in products such as water bottles, food packaging, baby bottles, pacifiers and plastic cutlery.
This harmful toxin is known to impact both male and female fertility, cause trouble for the cardiovascular system and lead to development and behavioral issues in children. When searching for plastic related products, look out for ones which claim they are BPA free. Most baby bottle manufacturers for example, have now eliminated BPA from their products. However, be aware that if you choose some of the common BPA alternatives, like BPF, they haven’t yet been fully tested. Therefore, it isn’t known whether they are actually safer than BPA.
Phthalates are most commonly found in PVC based products. These include plastic wrap, food storage containers, vinyl flooring and baby toys. They are also used to prolong the scent in fragrances.
Although found in many household items, these chemicals do pose a huge risk to the health. They can particularly lead to endocrine damage, birth defects in babies and they are especially harmful to children. Even low doses of Phthalates can cause health risks.
Always ensure any baby products you buy are listed as Phthalate free. You’ll also want to avoid eating anything that has been cooked or stored in a plastic microwave container. Check labels for the inclusion of “fragrance” in the ingredients too. This would suggest the product does contain Phthalates and should be avoided.
Parabens are typically added to products and used to prevent mold and bacterial growth. They are most frequently added to skin care, beauty and personal care products.
The issues parabens can cause include diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease and endocrine disruption. They can also lead to issues with reproduction and birth defects. They have been used in beauty products since the 1920’s and help to boost the shelf life of cosmetics.
A high level of cosmetic products still contain parabens today. So, it’s best to look out for products which advertise themselves to be paraben free.
These are some of the most common hidden chemicals you could be exposed to in the home. When you’re trying to make the home cleaner and safer, you’ll want to consider the invisible threats too. Follow the advice above to reduce or eliminate these hidden toxins from the home today.
Common Toxins to Remove from the Home and Get Rid of them Safely
Although it’s practically impossible to eliminate your exposure to chemicals completely, there are ways to minimize the risks.
Some toxins are much more harmful than others so eliminating from the home is essential for your health. Here, you’ll discover some common toxins to remove from the home and how to get rid of them safely.
VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds)
VOC’s can come from a range of sources in the home. They vaporize easily and add gas pollutants into the environment. The amount of VOC’s in the home has been recorded as being over 400. As they are found in so many household products, VOC’s tend to be more common inside than outside of the home.
The most common risks they present to your health include:
⦁ Eye or respiratory tract infections
⦁ Dizziness
⦁ Headaches
⦁ Increased risk of cancer
⦁ Damage to the liver, kidneys or central nervous system
They are often found in new home furnishings and carpets, plywood, interior paints, cleaning fluids and deodorants to name just a few.
The main way to safely eliminate VOC’s from the home, is through ventilation. Ensure you open your windows frequently, particularly if you have just painted the home. You’ll also want to keep the humidity and temperature of the rooms low.
Another tip is to look for products which are advertised as low VOC. Mold is a common household problem, yet it can be extremely harmful to the health. Caused by excess moisture levels and a lack of ventilation, mold can quickly grow and spread throughout the home.
Many people are sensitive to the effects of mold. However, symptoms are usually mild including coughing and wheezing, nasal stuffiness and skin irritation. If left untreated, the health effects experienced could be much more severe, particularly for those with asthma.
The earlier you spot and treat a mold problem the better. Leave windows open at least once a day, invest in a dehumidifier if you live in a moisture prone area and fix any leaks as soon as possible to prevent it from forming.
Pesticides are commonly used to keep pests under control in the home. However, they can also be found in other unexpected areas too. Some pesticides have been detected in around 50% to 95% of foods in the US. So, you could be consuming them as part of your daily diet.
Avoid using bug sprays and lawn pesticides wherever possible. You’ll also want to pay attention to the labels of the food you purchase and try and find foods which don’t contain this harmful chemical.
Heavy metals Over time, harmful chemicals found in heavy metals such as lead, aluminum and cadmium, can gather within the soft tissues of the body. The trouble is these metals are commonly found throughout the home.
Some of the most common sources of heavy metals include types of seafood, drinking water, antiperspirant, lead paints and preserved wood. They can lead to health problems such as Alzheimer’s Disease, nausea, abnormal heart rhythm and fatigue.
To limit your exposure, make sure you install water filters in the home, avoid eating high mercury content fish and avoid buying treated wood products. You’ll also want to check for lead paint in the home, as well as avoid buying any products constructed from PFC.
These are just a small selection of the most common toxins to remove from the home. All of the toxins mentioned above can have a severe impact on your health in the long term. So, eliminating them now will ensure you and the family stay safe indoors.