15 Ways You Can Easily Detox Your Home
Create, decorate and maintain a home that is safe, healthy and true to you and your family
So you want to create a healthier home? Knowing where to start and what to do isn’t always easy. Which natural cleaning products are most effective? How do I know which furniture is environmentally friendly and safe for my family to use? To get you started, here are a few easy yet effective ways to minimise your toxic load and create a healthier living space for you and your family. The biggest tip of all? Detoxing your home environment doesn’t mean compromising on style.
2. Choose furniture wisely
Furniture is one of the bigger investments we make for our homes. Of course, we want it to look good and be long-lasting, but we should also expect it to be environmentally friendly and safe to use. When you’re in the market for new furniture, look for low-impact materials including reclaimed wood, fast-growing wood (such as bamboo), linen, hemp, organic cotton, wool or mohair fabric coverings, cotton or wool fill and water-based stains and finishes.
Furniture is one of the bigger investments we make for our homes. Of course, we want it to look good and be long-lasting, but we should also expect it to be environmentally friendly and safe to use. When you’re in the market for new furniture, look for low-impact materials including reclaimed wood, fast-growing wood (such as bamboo), linen, hemp, organic cotton, wool or mohair fabric coverings, cotton or wool fill and water-based stains and finishes.
3. Use natural materials
Build a non-toxic, safe home for your family. Choose natural fixtures, fibres and surfacing materials. Try to steer clear of synthetic materials – these are often made with toxic chemicals and are non-recyclable.
Build a non-toxic, safe home for your family. Choose natural fixtures, fibres and surfacing materials. Try to steer clear of synthetic materials – these are often made with toxic chemicals and are non-recyclable.
4. Go green, inside and out
Going green at home has never been easier with hundreds of ideas circulating. Inside, consider installing low-energy lighting and replacing conventional taps with water-efficient fittings. Outside, think about installing a rainwater tank and growing your own herbs and vegetables.
Going green at home has never been easier with hundreds of ideas circulating. Inside, consider installing low-energy lighting and replacing conventional taps with water-efficient fittings. Outside, think about installing a rainwater tank and growing your own herbs and vegetables.
5. Take off your shoes
The bottom of your shoes can hold anything from lead dust to gasoline, fertilisers, pesticides and other nasty chemicals. When you enter your house, it’s a good idea to leave your shoes at the door. At the very least, keep all the bedrooms in your house and children’s spaces shoe-free zones.
The bottom of your shoes can hold anything from lead dust to gasoline, fertilisers, pesticides and other nasty chemicals. When you enter your house, it’s a good idea to leave your shoes at the door. At the very least, keep all the bedrooms in your house and children’s spaces shoe-free zones.
6. Freshen up your space with plants
Not only do houseplants look lush, they can also help to improve air quality in the home. Some house plants absorb toxins, including VOCs, formaldehyde and benzene, which could be floating around in your home.
Not only do houseplants look lush, they can also help to improve air quality in the home. Some house plants absorb toxins, including VOCs, formaldehyde and benzene, which could be floating around in your home.
7. Keep house dust to a minimum
On average, a gram of household dust contains approximately five million fungal spores, seven million bacteria, 8000 algae and 12 mites, and that’s before you add the chemicals, fluff and skin cells! A good idea is to lightly dampen your dusting cloth so it picks up dust particles more easily.
On average, a gram of household dust contains approximately five million fungal spores, seven million bacteria, 8000 algae and 12 mites, and that’s before you add the chemicals, fluff and skin cells! A good idea is to lightly dampen your dusting cloth so it picks up dust particles more easily.
8. Open the windows
A number of studies have found that the air in many homes is more badly polluted than the air outside. Stain-resistant coatings on carpets, brominated flame retardants on furniture, curtains and mattresses, fumes from household cleaning products, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from paints, glues and nail varnish – all of these and more can contribute to a chemical cocktail in your home.
TRY THIS: Open the windows up every day and use a natural alternative to chemical-laden air fresheners like baking soda to absorb the smells in and around your home. All you need to do is place baking soda in a bowl to neutralise the smells, or simply mix a small amount of the powder with water and wipe over any surface.
A number of studies have found that the air in many homes is more badly polluted than the air outside. Stain-resistant coatings on carpets, brominated flame retardants on furniture, curtains and mattresses, fumes from household cleaning products, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from paints, glues and nail varnish – all of these and more can contribute to a chemical cocktail in your home.
TRY THIS: Open the windows up every day and use a natural alternative to chemical-laden air fresheners like baking soda to absorb the smells in and around your home. All you need to do is place baking soda in a bowl to neutralise the smells, or simply mix a small amount of the powder with water and wipe over any surface.
9. Light up your home naturally
Take advantage of natural light wherever possible. Generally, the more we can bathe in natural light, the better we feel. Avoid harsh fluorescent lighting which can often make you feel tired and irritable.
Take advantage of natural light wherever possible. Generally, the more we can bathe in natural light, the better we feel. Avoid harsh fluorescent lighting which can often make you feel tired and irritable.
10. Consider eco-friendly lighting solutions for your home
Make the switch to environmentally friendlier light bulbs in your home. It’s a bright idea (forgive the pun) and will save you money in the long run. Light-emitting diode (LED) light bulbs are a great choice and do not contain mercury.
Make the switch to environmentally friendlier light bulbs in your home. It’s a bright idea (forgive the pun) and will save you money in the long run. Light-emitting diode (LED) light bulbs are a great choice and do not contain mercury.
12. Ensure a healthy night’s sleep
Natural and organic mattresses can be pricey. If you choose to purchase a conventional mattress instead, make sure to give it plenty of time to air out before you use it, ideally in a well-ventilated room.
Natural and organic mattresses can be pricey. If you choose to purchase a conventional mattress instead, make sure to give it plenty of time to air out before you use it, ideally in a well-ventilated room.
13. Create a greener workspace
Keep a separate recycling bin for paper in your office at all times. It will help you get into the recycling habit and save you time sorting through the bin on recycling day.
Keep a separate recycling bin for paper in your office at all times. It will help you get into the recycling habit and save you time sorting through the bin on recycling day.
14. Switch to pure cleaning power
Most dirt and stains will respond to an armoury of simple kitchen chemicals and household minerals. Clean with plain water, baking soda (mixed with a little water), vinegar and washing-up detergent. Baking powder neutralises many acid-based odours and is also mildly abrasive, while vinegar kills bacteria, mould and germs.
Most dirt and stains will respond to an armoury of simple kitchen chemicals and household minerals. Clean with plain water, baking soda (mixed with a little water), vinegar and washing-up detergent. Baking powder neutralises many acid-based odours and is also mildly abrasive, while vinegar kills bacteria, mould and germs.
15. Choose safer storage containers
Keep your food fresh and the environment clean by using non-plastic containers wherever possible. Glass, stainless steel and ceramic are much safer options. The chemicals used in plastics may leach into your food and drink, particularly when the container is heated in the microwave or left in a warm spot – the plastic might also release toxic fumes into the air.
TELL US
What are some of the methods you use to detox your home? Let us know in the comments section below.
Keep your food fresh and the environment clean by using non-plastic containers wherever possible. Glass, stainless steel and ceramic are much safer options. The chemicals used in plastics may leach into your food and drink, particularly when the container is heated in the microwave or left in a warm spot – the plastic might also release toxic fumes into the air.
TELL US
What are some of the methods you use to detox your home? Let us know in the comments section below.
‘Use less, live more’ is a key concept of much green and conservation thinking. When you live in a clean, uncluttered home your mind should be free and clear. Famous British designer, William Morris said: “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.”