As you create your spring cleaning plan, consider a full-house detox. Toxins lurking in your home can impact your health in both the short term and the long term. Spring is the perfect time to assess the overall health of your home as you begin to let more fresh air in and conduct a deep cleaning. Here are some ways to detox your home and create a healthier, cleaner space.
Improve indoor air quality
Indoor air quality can often be worse for your health than outdoor air. Indoor air pollution comes from various sources, such as dust, mold, pet dander, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from household products. Here are some ways to improve the air you breathe indoors:
- Open the windows – Let in fresh air to improve ventilation, benefit from the cross breeze, and release indoor air irritants.
- Use air-purifying plants – Displaying plants, such as aloe vera, spider plants, and peace lilies, can help filter toxins from the air.
- Invest in an air purifier – A high-quality HEPA filter can remove airborne allergens, dust, and toxins.
- Avoid synthetic air fresheners – Instead, use essential oils, homemade sprays, or natural beeswax candles.
- Vacuum and dust frequently – A vacuum with a HEPA filter can trap fine particles and reduce allergens.
Switch to non-toxic cleaning products
While conventional cleaning products will eliminate surface germs and bacteria, they may also contain harmful chemicals that can impact the home’s air quality. You can swap out these conventional products for cleaner homemade alternatives:
- DIY cleaners – Use simple ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, lemon, and essential oils to make your own non-toxic cleaners.
- Read labels carefully – When using conventional cleaning supplies, check for eco-friendly and fragrance-free options that avoid harsh chemicals like ammonia, chlorine, and phthalates.
- Use microfiber cloths – Microfiber cloths can be used without cleaning sprays, as they trap dirt and dust with water.
Detox the kitchen and bedrooms
The kitchen is one of the most important areas for detoxing. It’s often where you gather when you come home, it’s high-traffic, and it’s where food is prepared. Reducing toxins in this high-use space means you cut down on both exposure and ingestion. Here are a few ways to detox the kitchen.
- Eliminate plastic containers – Plastic containers can leach harmful chemicals into your food. Instead, use glass, stainless steel, or silicone.
- Use a high-quality water filter – A high-quality water filter can significantly improve water purity, reducing contaminants like chlorine and heavy metals.
- Avoid non-stick cookware – Use stainless steel, cast iron, or ceramic cookware, as non-stick coatings can release toxic fumes when heated.
In addition to the kitchen, bedrooms are where we spend much of our time. The place where you sleep should be especially restful and restorative, so creating a toxin-free space is essential. Here are some ways to accomplish this.
- Organic bedding and mattress – Opt for organic cotton or bamboo sheets and pillows to avoid chemicals from synthetic materials and an organic mattress free from flame retardants and VOCs.
- Reduce electronic exposure – Limit blue light exposure before bedtime and unplug unnecessary electronics to reduce EMF (electromagnetic field) exposure. Set your phone charger away from your bed, ideally on the other side of the room.
With small but intentional changes, you can significantly reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals and pollutants over time to create a healthier, cleaner, and more refreshing space to enjoy all year.
