As the new year rolls around, many people set goals to live a healthier life. Usually this entails a new diet, an exercise regimen, or quitting harmful habits such as smoking cigarettes. Each a noble pursuit.
However, there is another health goal that often goes overlooked, but could make a huge difference in the health of you and your family. And in many ways, it’s a goal that’s even easier to achieve.
This year, resolve to reduce the everyday toxins present in your home.
By committing to small changes each and every day, the health benefits you reap will ensure you and your family have a healthy and happy life.
Below are three simple ways to reduce toxins and purify your life.
1. Natural Air Purifiers
Americans spend 90 percent of their time indoors, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. All this time spent indoors and the onus is put on outdoor air quality, instead of the air Americans are breathing inside their homes and offices.
Some ways to naturally protect yourself from indoor airborne toxins include:
- Clean carpets regularly. Carpets can be a gateway to toxins and keeping them clean will help reduce the amount of airborne toxins produced from them.
- Use safe, natural cleaners to replace your traditional household cleaners.
- Take shoes off at the door.
- Diffuse air-purifying essential oils to help keep the air clean from airborne toxins. Add a few drops to your favorite aromatherapy diffuser and diffuse according to directions. Some essential oils that are great to diffuse for this purpose are:
2. Remove Chemicals and Clean Naturally with Essential Oils
A major way to reduce everyday toxins present in your home is to quit cleaning your home with them.
Many household cleaners have harsh chemicals that can affect our overall well-being. Replace toxic chemical cleaners and soaps with natural cleaning solutions using essential oils.
Here’s a list of 15 of the best essential oils to destroy germs and maintain a sanitary environment (this is by no means an exhaustive list as many essential oils carry these same benefits):
- Bergamot
- Citrus Burst Synergy
- Clove Bud
- Deodorizing Synergy
- Germ Destroyer Synergy (KidSafe)
- Germ Fighter Synergy
- Ginger
- Lavender
- Lemon
- Orange Sweet
- Palmarosa
- Peppermint
- Rosemary
- Tea Tree
- Thyme Linalool
It’s always a good idea to test a small, inconspicuous spot with new cleaners to ensure there are no undesired results.
For some great DIY cleaning recipes here are a few of our favorites at Plant Therapy:
Multi Purpose Spray
What you’ll need:
- 2 1/2 ounces water*
- 1 1/2 ounces white vinegar
- 2 grams Castile Soap
- 15 drops Germ Destroyer or Germ Fighter*
- Spray Bottle
What you’ll do:
Simply spray and wipe. This recipe is great for floors, counters, mirrors, and windows. *If you have little ones at home, Germ Destroyer is the KidSafe option.
DIY Soft Scrub
What you’ll need:
- 12 ounces baking soda
- 4 ounces Castile Soap
- 0.5 ounces water*
- 0.5 ounces white vinegar
- 30 drops of essential oil (Use from the list mentioned above; I used half Tea Tree and half Germ Fighter)
What you’ll do:
Spread the paste, let sit for 5-10 minutes, and scrub away!
Click Here for more natural cleaning recipes!
3. Lead and Asbestos Toxins
Now that you’ve conquered the air, it’s time to tackle what could be hiding in the structural aspects of your home. Both asbestos and lead were once used in construction of homes. Asbestos was used in building materials through the 1970s because of its ability to resist heat, fire, and electricity. The material can be found in insulation, floor/ceiling tiles, wallpaper, furnaces, and much more.
Asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma cancer. The cancer develops after asbestos is disturbed, particles are released into the air and inhaled where they can embed in the lining of organs. The disease may develop in the lining of the lungs, heart, and abdominal cavity. Symptoms of the disease are dependent on where the cancer develops, but he most common form of the cancer is pleural mesothelioma, developing in the lungs.
Symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma:
● Chest Pain and Body Aches
● Chronic Coughing
● A Buildup of Fluid in the Lungs
● Fatigue
● Fever/Night Sweats
If your home was built through the 1970s hiring an asbestos professional to inspect your home can prevent a battle with cancer later in life.
Lead is commonly found in paint in older homes. If your home was built before 1978 there may be lead-based paint on your:
● Walls
● Window Sills
● Doors/Door Frames
● Banisters
● Porches
If the lead paint is in good shape it is usually not a problem. But if the paint is peeling, chipping, cracking, damaged or damp, lead poisoning may occur. Symptoms of lead poisoning in children can be severe — affecting both mental and physical development. At very high levels, lead poisoning can be fatal in children.
Signs of lead poisoning in adults:
● High Blood Pressure
● Joint and Muscle Pain
● Difficulties with Memory or Concentration
● Headache
● Abdominal Pain
● Mood Disorder
● Reduced Sperm Count
● Miscarriage
Home testing can be conducted to see if you and your family are at risk of lead poisoning.
For the multi purpose spray, do we need to add a preservative since it has water?
I would recommend it if not using it within a week or so. Be sure to store it in the fridge if no preservative is added as well.
I love Germ Fighter for these recipes. Not only do I love its properties, but also love the smell. I sometimes diffuse this to lift my spirits.
do u recommend using eucalyptus as a cleaner?
I thought vinegar and Castile soap were not supposed to be used together. They contradict each other or something?
For the cleaners with water could you just leave the water out of the recipe and then not need a preservative?
Robert, the consistency may not be as desired without the water. You can opt to not use a preservative when using water, just be sure you store in the fridge and use within 1-2 weeks 🙂