Naturopathic Medicine is all about awareness and informed decisions you make to improve your health. My first blog in this series focused on the toxins found in your kitchen and in your diet. Now it’s time to discuss how to reduce the rest of your toxic burden in your home. It’s important to note that the homes we live in are now more toxic than the external environment – even in a city like Toronto. Take these steps to make your home a safe place for you and your family.
- Leave it at the door. Think about where your shoes have been today. Shoes carry toxins with them, from bacteria to pesticides. Simply having a no-shoes policy in the home is the first step to greener space.
- Use a HEPA-filter vacuum. Kids spend lots of time on the floor, and household dust can contain contaminants like lead and fire retardants. Dust regularly with a warm cloth. A HEPA-filter vacuum will trap allergens as well.
- Use greener cleaners. Household cleaners and air fresheners can irritate kids lungs, especially if your kids have asthma. Look at ingredient lists on your cleaners and avoid ones with toxic labels. Try to minimize your products. Most homes can be safely cleaned with these simple ingredients:
- Vinegar: it’s anti-bacterial and can clean countertops, tile, and windos
- Baking soda: acts as an abrasive for your sink, tub, & toilet
- Lemon juice: use instead of bleach in laundry and on kitchen surfaces
- Olive oil: mix with vinegar and use as furniture polish
With a these simple products you can make all your own cleaners. I will share with you now the recipe I use for my countertop spray. It lasts months and smells divine!
- 1 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 2 cups hot water
- ¼ cup castile soap (Dr. Bronner’s soap is great and is scented with essential oils).
- Keep the air clean. Ventilate your house on warm days by keeping the windows open. Change the filter on your furnace regularly. Plants will naturally detoxify the air, so having a green thumb also helps. Finally, air fresheners and scented candles use artificial chemicals for fragrance. Use flowers or burn essential oils to add natural fragrance to your home.
- Choose better body care products. Just because a label says “gentle” or “natural” doesn’t mean that it’s safe. Read the ingredient list on your products and avoid all parabans. Parabans are a preservative found in 8 out of 10 breast cancer cells. If your label also has fragrance, know that fragrance is a chemical mixture that is not disclosed on the label. Look up your products on CosmeticDatabase.com to learn more about what’s in them and how safe they are.
I hope that you are now one step closer to a cleaner home!
Yours in health,
Sarah Oulahen, HBHSc, ND
Naturopathic Doctor, Sow Health
