How to Make Your Home Safe From Common Household Toxins
- 1). Install hardwood or tile flooring instead of carpeting. Carpeting is a breeding ground for dust mites, which can adversely affect allergy sufferers. That new carpet smell is actually off-gassing of VOCs. In addition, commercial carpet cleaning products can leave behind residue that is stirred up into the air every time you walk across the carpet.
- 2). Use organic cleansers in place of commercial cleaning products. Common items found in most household pantries like baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, white vinegar, toothpaste and salt can replace nearly every commercial cleaning product in your home. While bleach and borax have some level of toxicity, it is less than the chemical compounds found in most commercial cleansers. Another option is to choose commercial household cleansers containing botanical oils instead of harsh chemicals that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Design for the Environment program (DfE) has certified as environmentally safe.
- 3). Avoid using commercial pesticides and herbicides even outside your home. Such chemicals can easily get tracked inside your home on clothing and shoes. Children are at special risk of damage to their developing brains and nervous systems from exposure to toxic pesticides. Consider using boiling water or mulch to kill weeds. For pest control, look for organic pesticides containing vegetable oils or insecticidal soaps instead of chemicals.
- 4). Improve the air quality in your home. Indoor air pollution from tobacco smoke and off-gassing can potentially cause a range of health problems from respiratory ailments to cancer. Install an air purifier with a carbon filter. Do not allow smoking in your home. In warmer months, open the windows to allow fresh air to circulate. Have your home tested for lead and radon.
- 5). Install water filters. While bottled water may contain fewer waterborne pathogens than tap water, the cost can add up. In addition to drinking water, you also use water for brushing your teeth, cooking and washing fruits and vegetables.
- 6). Reduce your exposure to plastics. Highly toxic chemicals are used in the production of plastics, some of which can leach into foods and beverages. When microwaving foods, leave a little space between the plastic wrap and the food. Avoid overheating foods in plastic containers in the microwave. The metal cans that hold canned foods are often lined with plastic. Choose fresh, frozen or dried foods whenever possible.
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