Detoxifying the home
Getting rid of all those toxic items in your home to make it more environmentally friendly and healthy for you
Do you suffer from allergies and non-specific ailments that cant be identified by your doctor? You could be suffering from allergies that are caused or exacerbated by the chemicals in your home and/or office.
So many people these days suffer from mystery allergies and ailments, which cannot be reasonably identified. Sometimes these mystery allergies and ailments are caused by the toxins and pollutants found in their homes (or offices). There are some things we can all do to ensure our homes (and offices) are free from pollutants and to help ease the allergic reactions present.
Detoxification strategies for your home
- Pot plants
Pot plants are natural air filters that improve the air quality in the rooms they are placed in. Research has shown that plants absorb toxins and poisonous vapours and release life-giving, good quality oxygen back into the air. The best types of plants that help to humidify and freshen up stuffy environments are: Mexican cacti, spider plants, ivy, rubber plants and gerbera daisies.
- Furry pets
Cats and dogs can trigger allergies in susceptible people and can make asthma and hay fever sufferers have worse symptoms. The best way to reduce allergies from pets is not to have them, but if you are a pet lover and suffer from allergies (like myself), the best strategies are to keep certain rooms pet free (ie your bedroom) and to regularly wash and groom your pets.
- Pollutants
If you live on a busy road, ensure your bedroom is at the back of the house (or apartment) and keep windows closed as much as possible. Alternatively, you could invest in an air purifier to help remove carbon monoxide and other pollution.
- Vacuuming
Choose a vacuum cleaner with a bagless filter, as these produce less dust than the ones with bags (especially when cleaning the bags). Dusting with a damp cloth will reduce airborne dust particles and use natural wax instead of aerosol sprays when polishing wood furniture. Use a mask when vacuuming, if necessary, or convince your partner (or flatmate's) to do the vacuuming, while you do another chore.
- Purified water
Purified water is a better option as it will remove all potential toxins and heavy metals that may (or may not) be in the water.
- Cleaning products
Use natural cleaning products whenever possible, as these have less potential to cause allergic reactions in any susceptible person. Use eco-friendly laundry powder and biodegradable dishwashing liquid. Use essential oils to freshen your air. Use bicarbonate of soda and vinegar as your cleaning products (they are great for cleaning stainless steel pots and pans and just as great for cleaning the grime in bathrooms). To make your environment really natural and pure, invest in an air ioniser, which replaces positive ions with negative ones, that freshen up the atmosphere.
- Other chemicals
Reduce the chemical load your body needs to deal with by investing in natural fibres for your home - paint with eco-friendly paints, choose solid wood furniture and natural fibres for your floor coverings. To reduce the chemical load even more, choose natural fibres for your clothes - linen, wool, silk and cotton.
