Detox Your Home With These Top Tips

By Louise Belle BHSc (Nut Med)

Did you know that the air inside your home could be up to 2-5 times more polluted than the air outside your home? That’s a scary thought isn’t it! The pollution in your home comes from many different sources such as mould in damp areas, combustion bi products from gas heaters and fireplaces, formaldehyde from furniture, volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) from paints, carpets and air fresheners, phthalates from plastics, heavy metals from dust and paints, as well as an array of chemicals from cleaning products, and bacteria and toxic compounds brought into the house from dirt on your shoes. Eek, that’s a lot to think about! These toxins are being absorbed through your skin, inhaled through the air you breathe and even eaten! Your liver has to try and breakdown and remove all these toxins, on top of all its other important functions. Try these tips:

Open your windows

If you have your windows and doors closed all the time, the air in your house is more likely to be polluted. Simply opening up windows or doors on opposite sides of the house is enough to encourage good airflow and remove some of the stagnant, polluted air. Get in the routine of cracking the windows before and after work every day.

Ditch chemical cleaning products

The average household contains 250-300 chemicals, and many of these come from cleaning products and detergents. Switching over to natural cleaning products will eliminate a great source of toxins in your home.

Don’t use bug sprays

If you can avoid it, don’t use bug sprays inside. They are full of toxic compounds, I mean think about it – you spray a bug and it dies! If you have to spray, open windows for as long as possible, and wipe down any surrounding areas that the spray may have settled on. Try investing in a fly swat or purchasing eco bug spray.

Avoid air fresheners

Did you know that the word ‘fragrance’ on a label can represent over 500 chemicals? If you are burning candles, displaying reed diffusers or willingly spraying air freshener, you are breathing in a multitude of toxins. Try some essential oils in a diffuser (lemon and orange are great ones!) or make potpourri with dried flowers such as rose or lavender. There are also chemical free air fresheners and candles available on the market.

Keep indoor plants

Not only do they look amazing and bring your room to life, but indoor plants are fantastic air filters and purifiers! The indoor plants best able to filter out pollutants like formaldehyde and xylene whilst oxygenating the air include: Snake plant, peace lily, Boston fern, spider plant, devil’s ivy and flamingo lily.

Get out the vacuum cleaner

It can be all too tempting to skip vacuum day, but dust mites, dirt, pet dander, VOC’s and even bacteria and mould can be hiding in your carpet. Vacuuming regularly will help to remove this build up. You should also consider cleaning your carpets regularly with a natural carpet cleaner.