Researchers estimate that the average home can have 400 or more chemicals. Your home may look clean, but it can be filled with chemicals and toxins you can’t see.
They can cause asthma and other respiratory challenges. They can affect allergies. Some experts suggest that many other serious health issues, such as autoimmune diseases, and even behavioral issues, stem from the large amount of chemicals in our homes.
To reduce toxins in your home, here are a few tips:
1. Open The Windows
Researchers estimate that the air inside a home is five times more polluted than the outside. This is due to a number of factors, including poor ventilation, the use of chemical cleaning products, and the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from building materials and furniture.
Indoor air pollution can have a significant impact on our health, especially for those who spend a lot of time indoors. Some of the health effects of indoor air pollution include respiratory problems, headaches, dizziness, and eye irritation. In some cases, exposure to indoor air pollution can even lead to more serious health issues, such as cancer and heart disease.
To reduce indoor air pollution, it's important to take steps such as improving ventilation, using natural cleaning products, and avoiding the use of products that release VOCs. It's also a good idea to regularly clean and replace air filters in heating and cooling systems, as well as to test for radon and other pollutants that can be present in some homes.
2. Leave Your Shoes Outside Or In A Specific Area
Your shoes can track more than just dirt into the house. The shoes you wear outside can also bring toxins and chemicals indoors.
Grime and Grease
Shoes worn in industrial or automotive settings can pick up grime and grease that can be transferred to other surfaces.
Chemicals
Shoes that come into contact with chemicals, such as cleaning agents or pesticides, can transfer these substances to other surfaces.
Germs and Bacteria
Shoes can harbor germs and bacteria from various sources, including public restrooms, hospitals, and animal feces. These can be transferred to floors and carpets, potentially spreading illness.
Pet Hair and Dander
If you have pets at home, their hair and dander can stick to the soles of your shoes and be tracked around your home.
3. Consider Your Dry Cleaning
Dry cleaning also brings extra chemicals into your life. With dry cleaning, your “clean” clothes are covered in chemicals, which get on you the next time you put them on.
Dry cleaning involves the use of solvents, usually perchloroethylene (also known as tetrachloroethylene or "perc"), which can be toxic to humans and the environment.
Perc is a chlorinated hydrocarbon that can be harmful when inhaled, ingested or absorbed through the skin. Short-term exposure to perc can cause dizziness, headache, nausea, and irritation of the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. Long-term exposure has been linked to a range of health effects, including damage to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system, as well as an increased risk of certain cancers.
In addition to the health risks, the use of perc in dry cleaning can also have negative environmental impacts. Perc is a volatile organic compound (VOC) that contributes to air pollution and can contaminate soil and groundwater if not properly disposed of.
To address these concerns, there are now alternative methods of dry cleaning that use non-toxic solvents or even water-based cleaning methods.
4. Replace Your Cleaning Supplies
Do you have an entire cabinet filled with cleaning supplies and detergents? How many chemicals are in these supplies, and do you know how they affect your health?
The top 3 toxins commonly found in cleaning products are:
Phthalates
These are chemicals used as fragrances in many cleaning products such as air fresheners and dish soap. They can cause a variety of health issues such as reproductive problems, asthma, and developmental disorders.
Ammonia
Ammonia is often found in glass and window cleaners, and can cause respiratory irritation, burns to the skin and eyes, and even asthma attacks in sensitive individuals.
Bleach
Bleach is commonly found in disinfectants, toilet cleaners, and some laundry detergents. It can cause skin and eye irritation, and when mixed with other chemicals, it can produce toxic gases that can be very dangerous.
It's important to read the labels of cleaning products and to choose products that are labeled as non-toxic, natural, or eco-friendly, and to always use cleaning products in well-ventilated areas to minimize exposure to harmful chemicals.
5. Replace your personal care items
Personal care items are a large source of chemicals and toxins. They can fill the air, and you may also be wearing them on your body. Your skin is your largest organ! What are you putting on it that it drinks each day?
What are you doing to detox your home? Your hormones and health will thank you!