7 Ways to Reduce Harmful Chemicals in the Home (for free!)
- Molly Ishmael
- Jul 18, 2022
- 5 min read
What better way to spend these hot days than a few hours inside in the AC, cleaning out the house!
Okay, I suppose there are a FEW other ways to beat the heat... Floating in the pool sipping lemonade... Walking the mall with an iced coffee in hand... Munching buttered popcorn and watching a summer blockbuster in one of those full-service movie theaters where they bring you snacks in your seat... Or perhaps celebrating your daughter's 3rd birthday with a bounce-house water slide, oh yeah! (That's what we did this weekend.:) Sure, but cleaning comes in a close second, right?
Haha well, perhaps it's not the MOST fun activity, but healthy cleaning is so important to me that I wrote a little handbook all about the subject. If you are a subscriber to this blog, then you already received it a few months ago when it first published. If not, just subscribe now and automatically get my "Natural Household Handbook" straight to your inbox - it's free!
And for more easy-peasy tips, just scroll down!
A clean home is a simple pleasure.
1. Practice gratitude when cleaning. Hmmn and how does this decrease harmful chemicals in the home, you may ask? Well, changing our mindsets actually changes our brain chemistry, literally releasing GOOD chemicals into our own bodies, without even lifting a finger or doing any work yet. I know cleaning may not sound like a pleasant activity (I'm preaching to myself right now), but the fact that we "have to" clean our houses and all our things means that we have a home and so many possessions in the first place. In that mindset, cleaning becomes a mindful act of thankfulness. Let the happy chemicals begin!
For more inspo in how to view cleaning out in a positive way,
Marie Kondo's book is a cult classic for a reason!
If you have to gear up like this to "clean", it may be time to reevaluate.
2. Replace Common Cleaning Products with Natural Versions
It's very possible (and affordable) to remove dirt without injecting toxic "cleaning" products into practically everything we own. There are so many alternative products on the market, plus you can make many cleaning solutions yourself. Then instead of gagging, wheezing and coughing your way through the process of coating all the houses's surfaces with poison (i.e. hazardous and dangerous commercial cleaning products), rather, you can just relax and enjoy the ritual of appreciating your home and your things by simply tidying up, airing out, and wiping everything down with fresh, pure ingredients.
Of course, you can refer to my "Natural Household Handbook" for a number of all-natural cleaning recipes, and perhaps check out the "Puracy" brand available on Amazon. I use several of their products including the multi-purpose cleaning spray.
Perhaps give this brand a try for products that you don't make yourself.
Stop dirt in its tracks!
3. Remove Shoes at the Front Door
Prevent a lot of unnecessary cleaning in the first place by leaving shoes at the door. Did you know that ours is one of the few cultures which generally doesn't do this? Just google it! Not only does removing shoes at the door stop dirt, mud, and dust at the door, but it also prevents pesticides, bacteria, fecal matter, and anything else your shoes have ever encountered form being tracked all over your house. It's a win-win! I have a small child who still plays on the floor. It's important those floors NOT be coated in whatever is on the bottom of all of our shoes. Sure, one way or the other, the floor still gets dirty and usually needs swept every day. But at least harmful chemicals and pesticide aren't being ground into my rugs, where tests show they remain for years to come.
This affordable option keeps the dirt at the door!
Experience insta-improvement with Tip #4.
4. Discard Pesticides
Our last home was located in a well-manicured neighborhood with regular pest control. We used to see trucks driving around literally spraying down the neighborhood with poison; what a surreal sight. On one hand, it was convenient that there were virtually no bugs in our home or patio garden. But on the other hand... is that really a good sign? Here in the west particularly it seems, we are addicted to the idea of never encountering an insect... EVER. That's just not realistic, no matter how much poison we soak into the earth. In fact, our excess use of pesticides is not only polluting our waters and grounds, but it's not even working. If pesticides worked so well, why do we keep buying more and more of them, paying monthly for "pest control" (i.e. randomly spraying toxins all around our homes), and still we occasionally see bugs, right? In fact, there are some dubious reports on the effectiveness of all that "control..." try stopping for awhile and see if you notice much difference. Even if you do see the occasional bug, perhaps use sticky traps or baits versus spraying down the surfaces with toxins. So instead of deploying half a can of Raid on the next tiny insect you see, I recommend popping over to the dollar store and investing in a few bug swatters, fly tape, and sticky traps.
For more insidious pest issues, try diatomaceous earth: It couldn't be more natural, it's literally earth. This stuff has worked wonders for me in our rental house where the construction quality doesn't seem exactly stellar. Bugs find their way in... but the D.E. stops them in their tracks. I could count on one hand the number of six-legged critters I've seen since I began using it.
It's so natural, you can eat it!
Ah, what a breath of fresh air!
5. Open the Windows
Fresh air and sunshine are are very effective natural cleaners, and the Lord gives us both in an unlimited quantity. If you have screens, you don't even have to worry about critters finding their way inside. If not, perhaps consider investing in some. Otherwise, you can take into account your climate and the time of day/night etc. that is best to open windows. You can also just open the windows of the room you're currently inside while cleaning to air out one room at a time. But of course, if you can get a cross-breeze, that's even better!
Magnetic screens... What will they think of next? :)
Try replacing faux "air fresheners" with real flowers.
6. Ditch the Chemical Air "Fresheners"
While you're outside gardening anyway.... Cut a few flowers or a pine branch from your backyard or patio garden, and pop in in a vase for a free, all-natural scent any time. It costs nothing to remove and discard so-called air fresheners, which are usually just chemicals being pumped into your breathing air at regular intervals. After all, why have "island flower" or "summer orchid" imitation scents pumped into your space when you can enjoy the real thing! Also, there are a plethora of diffuser options for essential oils. Finally, you can boil spices and herbs in a pot as long as you're home to supervise the stove - this really creates an amazing whole-home aroma!
Try a simple diffuser with organic essential oils; your home will feel like a spa!
Herbs and flowers and greens, oh my!
7. Don't Forget the Great Outdoors
Bring the outside in to further clean the air without even lifting a finger! (Well, after all the fingers you lift while planting, of course.) Plants automatically absorb carbon dioxide and exude oxygen; it's kind of like they "breath" the opposite of humans in a beautiful symbiotic relationship. Is it any wonder then that God placed the first humans in a garden?
What a blessing to have a clean and healthy home.
Those are my seven tips to reduce harmful chemicals in the home for free. If you have more tips, please share in the comments. Meanwhile, I hope you all enjoy your homes, and enjoy the rest of the summer!
With Love,
Molly
P.S. For more design & decor fun + updates on our newest projects, subscribe for free HERE:
Yorumlar