This month is all about detoxing — from your body to personal care products and the spaces we live in. Since we are spending a little more time at home, let’s use this time to clean up your cleaning products and detox your home! Let’s take a little more care to reduce exposure to internal and external toxins. This allows your body’s own detoxification process to function more efficiently.
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Last week I covered some tips to organize and declutter your kitchen and food spaces. A clean and organized kitchen makes meal planning and cooking a little more manageable and enjoyable!
Now, I’m going to talk about…
How to detox your home with non-toxic cleaning products.
The average home can have upwards of 1,000 chemicals (most of which you can’t see, smell or taste).
Every person’s tolerance level is different, based on everything from your genetics to your current nutritional status and previous contact with chemicals. Here’s another scary fact: the negative effects of household toxins are often compounded by other drugs — especially the habitual use of alcohol, prescription or recreational drugs (Be Well).
Three main household areas to focus on:
#1 Laundry
We all spend roughly one-third of our lives lying on our sheets (at least, we should be if we’re sleeping enough). Your laundry detergents should be free of artificial dyes or fragrances. Also, avoid fabric softener products; instead, add 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar to your wash to do the same job. Wool dryer balls can eliminate static naturally, versus dryer sheets.
If you feel the “natural detergent” comes at a high price, buy it just to wash the priorities (underwear, sheets, towels, and sleep-wear items).
#2 Cleaning supplies for your home
We clean our living space to make it less toxic, right?
The cleaning supplies you regularly use, however, could be adding more harmful chemicals to your home. One of my “Mel Mantras” for food is “read the ingredients label first!” and the same goes for cleaning products. If you can’t pronounce an ingredient, then it’s probably not natural.
Do a little research. Then, buy from brands you trust (and see a list of some of my favorites below). Or, save some dollars and make your own natural cleaning products.
Distilled white vinegar serves as a natural disinfectant. Baking soda serves as a natural exfoliant for tough-to-clean places. Combine them for the perfect cleaner (try adding essential oils to homemade cleaning sprays to add a nice scent).
#3 Aromatics
Plants (real ones!) help to naturally purify the air.
An essential oil diffuser adds natural scents and can also help “clean” your air and your living space. Oils have been shown to work on a sensory level to improve mood and reduce stress levels (which also matters to your overall health, read more here).
If you love candles, burn all-natural varieties made from 100% beeswax, soy, or other natural ingredients (avoid ones made from paraffin wax).
Open windows and doors to bring fresh air into your home. Let out any toxic fumes that get released over time — these could include fumes from paint/varnish, fungal/mold spores or dust mites).
Finally, get a HEPA filter for your vacuum, or try using an air purifier. These can help remove allergens, dust mites, and other microscopic particles that can trigger allergic reactions and/or skin sensitivities.
Mel’s Favorites Non-Toxic Products
- Laundry – try Branch Basics concentrate with an oxygen boost or Molly’s Suds from Thrive Market.
- Cleaning – try Branch Basics or a homemade recipe.
- DIY cleaning spray recipe: 1 part distilled white vinegar to two parts filtered water (use literally anywhere!). Optional add-in #1: For more grit to hit the hard to clean spots, add 1/2 tablespoon baking soda. Optional add-in #2: Add 10-20 drops of your favorite essential oil for an added scent.
- Aromatics: Plant therapy essential oils.
The three things covered here impact our lives every single day. What’s stopping you from making some small changes to help with the air you breathe, the laundry items you regularly spend time in, or the cleaning products you use around your home? Have a fave DIY healthy-home product? Hit me up on IG this week (or email me) to tell me about it!
References/resources:
Book: The Health Habit: 7 Easy Steps to Reach Your Goals and Dramatically Improve Your Life by Elizabeth Rider
