The Environmental Protection Agency warns that the air in your home could be up to five times more polluted than air outdoors. (1) And it’s not just indoor air quality that you should worry about. From bathroom cleaners to toothpaste, you expose your body to a lot of different chemicals.
And those chemicals have some surprising impacts.
For example, some common ingredients in hand soap and toothpaste can affect your metabolism, thyroid health and even your breast development. (2) And chemicals used to give shampoo and laundry detergent its fragrance can also disrupt your hormones, and therefore your health, mood and emotions.
While men and women often focus on how to detox their bodies, it’s also important to detox your daily habits. If you want to look and feel better, consider trying these home-detoxing life hacks.
1. Toss Chemical-Laden Cleaners
Everyday kitchen ingredients are gentler on your hormones and health, and just as effective as many cleaners. For example, baking soda can help clean counters and dishes and even deodorize your carpets and upholstery. Vinegar can brighten your clothes and remove stains. And pure castile soap is a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser for hands and body!
2. Quite the Air Fresheners
Instead of relying on synthetic fragrances, purify and cleanse the air in your home naturally. Open up windows to let in a cool breeze. Run an air purifier. Grow houseplants in every room, which help to trap and remove formaldehyde and other toxins in your home’s indoor air.
If you’re missing certain specific scents, try essential oils like tea tree, lime and cinnamon for not only their ability to hide other orders, but also their powerful aromatherapy benefits.
3. Get Ahead of the Toxins
Catch and get rid of toxins before they spread throughout your home. Leave your shoes outside of your home, as they can bring in outdoor pesticides, lead, dirt and germs. Similarly, change your clothes whenever you come home to get rid of pollen and other pollutants that your wardrobe has picked up over the course of your day.
Additionally, sweep and vacuum often. All the dust in your home captures many toxins in the air, which settle into your furniture, flooring and clothes. By cleaning your home once a week, you not only freshen its appearance but also help remove many particles that go airborne every time you take a step.
By following these three simple strategies, you help to keep your home clean, even from things your naked eye can’t see. And remember, there are more than just physical toxins. From toxic friends to toxic emotions like stress, take stock of your emotional health and see if it needs a detox, too.
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