I’m excited to share with you a few things I’ve done inside my home to make it a safer and healthier place for my family.
Once I discovered how many toxins and chemicals we were exposed to every day in our homes, I knew it had to change. I wanted to reduce these harmful ingredients and regain control so that we could live in an environment that promotes health and wellness versus one that would cause health complications down the road. Here are some core areas that have made the biggest difference for my family that can help yours too.
HOUSEHOLD
First, we cleaned up our household products, swapping out old countertop cleaners, laundry detergents, and dryer sheets with non-toxic, healthier options. This is a great and simple first step to lower toxins in your home.
HYGIENE
I then focused on hygiene products. You can either swap things out one by one as they run out or, if you’re like me, just ditch them and get everything swapped out immediately. Once you know better, you do better; I didn’t want to lather my body in lotions and products that I knew were filled with things that could hurt me and wreak havoc on my hormones. And I certainly didn’t want to keep exposing my kids to those horrors either. So, I chose to ditch everything I knew was toxic and grab new items that were clean and free from dyes, parabens, and other chemicals. Items like hand soap, body soap, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, and lotions are ones you should look at closely—check those labels!
WATER
Another core step is to detox the water you’re drinking and bathing or showering in. Unfiltered water can be extremely toxic, even if your city says it’s “safe.” When we first made these switches, we went for a countertop water filter system and an attachment on our showerhead. Now, we have a full house filtration system, an under-sink reverse osmosis, and re-mineralized water filter, so the water coming out of the spout is completely pure. We also have an attachment for our bathtub so the bath water is free from chemicals for the kids.
AIR
Cleaning up my home’s air was challenging at first; I loved my scented candles, soaps, and sprays. But now that I’ve done it, whenever I go into a home that still has those things, I truly find it overwhelming and unpleasant. The reason scents are bad for us is because most of them are made with toxic chemicals that we breathe in every day—all day. When your body is exposed to these things, it has to work harder to interpret and detoxify them. It’s best to reduce artificial scents in your home so that your body can breathe in fresh, clean air.
Tip: To keep the air in your home circulated and fresh, open your windows; this reduces old, stagnant air. You can open them a few times a week for an hour or so each time. If you’re in a cold climate, open windows in one area of the house while you’re in another, then alternate so each space eventually has freshly circulated air.
BEDDING
I’m very serious about non-toxic bedding. It’s another area that’s easy to swap out, and it makes a huge difference. You spend a good chunk of your day laying on—and breathing in—whatever sheets/comforters you’re using. So, I would highly recommend choosing organic and non-toxic bedding options for the whole family, if possible. For our babies, it’s non-negotiable.
FOOD
Swapping out foods in your home is a large part of a non-toxic and anti-inflammatory way of life. You’ll want to find healthier versions of the foods you already eat as a first step. It’s not a “diet” or anything like that, you’re simply seeking out better options. Instead of buying the popular brand of cookies, for example, try a gluten- and dairy-free alternative but without the added colouring, dyes, chemicals, gluten, and other low-quality ingredients. Rather than eating typical cereals, swap them with better-for-you options that are low in sugar. Try to steer clear of pre-made refrigerator and freezer (processed) meals, and swap them out with real whole foods. Trade off your traditional salad dressing with one made with anti-inflammatory ingredients and no added sugars or chemicals. By making these changes, you’ll detoxify your pantry, fridge, and freezer and tremendously reduce the toxins in your home. Remember, you’re doing this for the health of your family.
KITCHEN
Non-toxic cookware, utensils, mixing bowls, and containers—the kitchen is a space we’ve also detoxified to have a healthier home for our family. Everything we cook with and store food in is either glass, stainless steel, cast iron, or ceramic. An easy place to start in the kitchen would be with your storage containers. Toss out the plastic ones and replace them with glass organizing containers. Not only are they healthier, but they don’t stain, are stackable, and look way more organized and aesthetically pleasing, which has an impact on your mental health as well. Next up, I’d look at your pots, pans, and cooking utensils and swap those out with healthier versions. It's no secret that those non-stick surfaces are very toxic.
EMF
Microwaves and Bluetooth devices like cell phones and laptops emit electromagnetic frequencies (EMFs). I still have these items in my home, since most of these devices are necessities nowadays, but I do implement a few simple tricks that reduce my family's exposure to them, which makes a huge difference. One thing I do is put my internet router on a timer (like you might do with your Christmas lights) or plug it into an outlet connected to a light switch so I can turn it off at night. There’s no point in exposing ourselves to EMFs while we’re sleeping, so by turning it off, you’ve just lowered the toxicity in your home environment, helping your family for a solid eight or so hours every day. That’s an easy win!
It’s a massive upgrade to detoxify your home, and I am beyond excited to see you implement these tips. Detoxifying your home has huge benefits for your mental and physical health, and I know this article can truly transform your life.
Here’s to a healthy and happy family and home!
