Clearing the Air: A Guide to Detoxing Your Home

We all know the phrase, “You are what you eat,” but what about “You are what you breathe” or “You are what you touch?”  Many of us spend so much time and effort cleaning up our diets and lifestyle habits to stay healthy, but we forget to look around our homes for other culprits that may adversely impact our efforts.  You may not realize it, but the toxins harmful to humans and pets are often found inside our homes. From household cleaners to detergents to the plastic containers we use to store leftovers, our homes may be full of toxins, possibly explaining some of the health problems we or family members are experiencing.  Additionally, when we carry toxins in our body, weight loss is difficult because our body works to protect itself from the toxins by surrounding our vital organs with fat!  While you may work hard dieting and exercising, your body will work just as hard to retain the fat in order to protect your vital organs from the toxins!  It's a vicious cycle until your body can detox.

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 At Mustard Seed Health Coaching, my slogan is “Small Changes, Big Impact,” so I’m NOT asking you to completely overhaul your home all at once.  Instead, let’s look at the changes you may want to consider making over time to ensure a healthy environment for the long term.

Common Household Chemicals and Toxins You Should Avoid

     A.  Cleaning Products – Toxic chemicals are common in most cleaning products, so this is a great place to start your home detox. Switch from the usual cleaning products to natural alternatives. Unlike food, not all cleaning products list their ingredients, so you need to know how to detect chemicals and toxins. Anything with a “danger,” “hazard,” or “poison” label should be avoided, along with (if listed), products containing ammonia, DEA, APEs, and TEA. Additionally, chlorine bleach is found in many household cleaners and can cause eye, throat, and lung irritation, and if mixed with ammonia, creates a poisonous gas. If using chlorine bleach, be sure the area is well-ventilated.

Even though our inclination is to choose known brands and ingredients, instead, opt for a short ingredient list (if you get one at all), and as always, plant-based, natural ingredients are the best choice, followed by solvent and phosphate-free products. Choose cleaning products like you would food.  Don’t fall for labels containing vague terms like “natural” or “ecologically friendly.”  These labels have no standard meaning and are not regulated.  Instead, consider downloading the free EWG Healthy Living app or getting EWG’s Free Guide to Healthy Cleaning (ewg.org) to take with you when you shop for cleaning supplies. EWG’s website also contains numerous recommendations for toxin-free cleaning supplies and tips for green cleaning.

     B.  Furniture and Textiles – Many mattress manufacturers add flame retardants to comply with fire regulations. Unfortunately, regardless of the chemical recipe used, flame retardants are known to cause poor brain development as well as learning, behavior, and memory problems in children. Also, carpets often contain toxic ingredients, including stain-resistant treatments, antimicrobial properties, and anti-static agents, which may contain heavy toxic loads. Choose mattresses made from natural materials like untreated cotton or wool. Also, make sure the mattress is free from synthetic materials like foam, glue, and moth-proofing chemicals. Use the same standards when choosing bedding, curtains, and rugs. Clean carpets with a plant-based detergent or opt for hardwood floors if possible.

     C.  Paint and Decoration – Use no-VOC (volatile organic compound) paints when re-painting your home. Many companies advertise their paints contain no VOC, but be sure that applies to your selected color. For some, the no-VOC only applies only to white paint and not to colored paints. If you use wallpaper, avoid vinyl, which can trap mold and fungus, potentially causing respiratory problems. Natural wood and toxin-free carpets and furniture go a long way toward a greener home. Use natural fabrics for home decoration, such as hemp, bamboo, silk, and linen. Finally, while there is some dispute regarding the level of toxicity of candles, the best course is to burn them only in a well-ventilated area and avoid paraffin wax, which is made from petroleum. Instead, choose candles made from beeswax, soy, or other plant-based waxes.

    D. Beauty and Skin Care - Using beauty and skincare products that are chemical and toxin-free is crucial for maintaining not just external beauty, but also long-term health. Many conventional products contain harmful ingredients like parabens, phthalates, and sulfates, which have been linked to various health issues including hormone disruption, allergies, and even cancer. Choose natural and organic alternatives to minimize exposure to these harmful substances. Furthermore, chemical-free products are often gentler on the skin, reducing the risk of irritation and promoting a more vibrant, radiant complexion.  Check out the Yuka App to help you locate toxin free beauty and skin care products.

    E. Buy Organic - Although washing fruits and vegetables helps, it is very difficult to get rid of the herbicides and pesticides that are sprayed on fruits and vegetables.  Herbicides and pesticides can be very detrimental to our health and should be avoided as much as possible.  At the very least, find out each year from the EWG website which fruits and vegetables have been rated as the Dirty Dozen due to their high levels of herbicides and pesticides.  For the Dirty Dozen, choose organic when possible and if can choose organic for other produce as well, it will go a long way to helping reduce your toxic load. 

    F.  Specific Chemicals to Watch For – There are a few specific chemicals you should avoid as much as possible: 

       1.  Formaldehyde – is a colorless, flammable gas with a strong odor. It’s a known carcinogen (cancer causer) found in manufacturing wood products and various household products like glue, nail polish, paints, and more. Any product containing formaldehyde should be tossed, and any area where formaldehyde-containing material cannot be easily removed should be well-ventilated.

      2.  Benzene –comes from coal and petroleum and can be found in such products as plastics, detergents, tobacco smoke, and paints. Benzene is also found in the fumes from gasoline and car exhaust, which should be avoided as much as possible. Benzene has been closely linked to leukemia.

      3.  Phthalates – are found in many products, including plastic food containers and shampoo. Phthalates can adversely impact your endocrine system (hormones). To avoid phthalates, switch to reusable glass containers. Also, look at the ingredients in your skincare and beauty products and toss any containing phthalates. An excellent resource for checking these products is the Yuka This free app has a bar code scanner allowing you to scan skincare and beauty products before you buy and offers alternatives when products are rated low due to phthalates or other unhealthy ingredients.

      4.  BPA – is a chemical used in some cans and plastic bottles and containers, and it can leach into the food or drink in the container and disrupt the endocrine system. BPA has been shown to have possible health effects on the brain, prostate, behavior, blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular health, and fertility. BPA is especially harmful to fetuses, infants, and children. Look for cans and plastic bottles that specifically state they are BPA-free.

So, to summarize, in our quest for wellness, we often prioritize our diets and exercise routines, forgetting our homes could harbor hidden health hazards. From the chemicals lurking in cleaning products to the toxins hiding in furniture and textiles, our living spaces may be undermining our well-being without us even realizing it.  But making your home a healthier place doesn't have to mean a complete overhaul overnight. With a mindful approach and gradual changes, you can detoxify your home and create a safer environment for you and your loved ones.  Let's embark on this journey together, one step at a time, towards a cleaner, healthier home for all.