Three ways to make your home non-toxic

We want to feel nourished, healthy, and balanced in our bodies which is why we spend a lot of money on gym subscriptions, health magazines, and spa treatments, among others. But we often forget to ensure that our homes are as non-toxic as possible to support overall health. According to studies, modern-day homes, with their fancy furnishings, appliances, and products, have a lot of dangerous substances for our health. They are hidden in everything from your favorite hand wash and bedding to kitchen appliances and living room decor. The toxins apparently gather in our fat cells, leading to imbalanced hormones, increased allergies, and a weakened immune system. Here are three things you can do this weekend to toxin-proof your home.

Make your own cleaning supplies

This is one of the easiest first steps we can take towards a cleaner, more eco-friendly, and healthy home.  Store-bought household products are filled with dozens of toxic chemicals that affect our health, hormones, and immune system. And they are expensive too. The good thing is there is an easy alternative for most cleaning products. All you need is vinegar, water, essential oils and baking soda. There is actually nothing baking soda won’t clean. It can even get rid of stubborn stains. Simply make a paste and rub it over hard to clean areas and wipe them down. For everything else, simply mix one part vinegar with two parts water, add a few drops of essential oil and you have a cleaning solution that is non-toxic and fragrant.  

Replace plastic containers with glass or steel

Certain types of plastics can release chemicals such as phthalates and BPA into the water over time. These additives have been linked to potential health risks. Unlike plastic, which can leach harmful chemicals into the context kept inside, glass or steel is an inert material which means that it doesn’t add any bad substances to its contents. So, if you are using plastic containers to store grains and food, consider switching to safer alternatives. You don’t have to throw away all your plastic containers. Just make sure you don’t buy another plastic container when it’s time to replace one. High-quality glass products can easily go into the microwave or dishwasher, are easy to clean, are reusable, and retain their aesthetics on repeated usage unlike plastic which looks old after a few washes.

Stay away from scents

We use scented candles, air fresheners, and incense in our home to keep it smelling nice and fresh. But we are actually doing ourselves a huge disservice. These items often have synthetic compounds that are potentially carcinogenic. What can you do instead? Use essential oils or make your own potpourri. Dry herbs and petals, sprinkle them with essential oils, wrap them in muslin cloth and keep them in various corners of your house. You can also use an electric essential oil diffuser to keep your home smelling fragrant. We recommend lavender, vanilla, and peppermint for a fresh and soothing effect.