Easy ways to go green for a toxin-free home

Most of us don’t give much thought to the ingredients in the cleaning products we’ve been using in our homes, but the truth is that many of them are toxin-heavy, filled with harmful chemicals that damage our health and linger in our homes long after we’re done cleaning.  However, there are safer, greener cleaning options that still get the job done, and today, I’m going to share with you some of my favorite ways to live a more toxin-free life at home.

Ditch toxin-filled cleaners

The biggest change you can make to create a more green home is to swap those chemical-filled cleaners for safer ones. You can find toxin-free, biodegradable cleaning products in most stores, or you can make your own just as easily. Baking soda is a fantastic and all natural effective cleaner that can remove soap scum  with minimal effort. Tea tree and citrus oils are great for disinfecting. So is white vinegar. And if you want your toilet to sparkle, use white vinegar with a little borax. 

You can make a simple multipurpose spray cleaner from vinegar, purified water, and lemon or orange essential oil. Similarly, a natural floor cleaner made from Castile soap, distilled white vinegar, hot water, and essential oils like orange, clove, cinnamon, and eucalyptus will leave your floors spotless.

Also consider using biodegradable, organic wipes, or opt for a reusable, high-quality microfiber cloth and water to help save money.  Many disposable, pre-moistened wipes clog sewers and pipes, create tons of waste, and contain harmful chemicals that can cause skin allergies.

End the cycle of paper towels

Micro-fiber cloths can attract dirt all on their own. Dampen them, and you’ll find they make short work of cleaning stainless steel, wood, ceramics, and glass. Unlike paper towels, you can use them again and again to polish, dust, and shine up the surfaces in your home without using toxin-filled chemicals. Also, beware of sponges, many of which are made from polyurethane, a petroleum-derived ingredient, or contain triclosan, which has been clearly linked to skin irritation, endocrine disruption, and antibiotic resistance.  Opt for natural solutions like the products made by Norwex, a Norwegian-based company that focuses on reducing the use of chemicals by cleaning homes naturally, and Natural Value sponges, which are natural and non-GMO.

Find a toxin-free way to make bugs bug off

Instead of using the toxic bug spray we’re all used to, you can seal cracks and holes near entryways, baseboards, and windowsills to prevent bugs from finding their way in. You can set cayenne pepper, cinnamon, lemon juice, or coffee grounds where ants might be entering, for example, and they will not cross that line.  Combinations of essential oils like rosemary, citronella, eucalyptus, lavender, or mint with witch hazel can create a safe spray for your skin to keep mosquitoes and other pests from bothering you.  

Many ant and roach killers contain toxic chemicals that are suspected carcinogens and have been linked to long-term health problems like central nervous system disorders, liver and kidney damage, and birth defects.  Short-term negative health effects include skin and eye irritations, nausea, dizziness, and breathing problems.

Add live plants inside your home

Plants are not only a great way to add some life to your home, but they also serve as natural air filters. Some plants can even pull out harmful toxins in the chemicals used to treat your furniture, electronics, and carpets. The best plants to do the job are palm trees, spider plants, Boston fern, ficus, snake plant, aloe vera, and bamboo palm. Place a plant in every room, more depending on the size of the space, and you’ll be able to breathe easier thanks to your new green friends.

At the same time, remember the names of these toxins in household cleaners that block your ability to breathe clearly:

• 2-Butoxyethanol, found in window and multipurpose cleaners, which can cause sore throat when inhaled.  It can also contribute to narcosis, pulmonary edema, and severe liver and kidney damage;
• Ammonia, also found in bathroom and window cleaners, can trigger asthma and chronic bronchitis; and
• Bleach and chlorine, found in scouring powders, toilet bowl cleaners, mildew removers, and laundry whiteners, can cause respiratory problems and irritate the skin.

Get rid of toxic fragrance

While you’re at it, please avoid the plug-in air fresheners that claim to give your home a fresh smell.  Many are filled with chemicals loaded with toxins, such as phthalates, which can cause allergies and asthma and have the potential to create liver and kidney toxicity; formaldehyde, a carcinogen linked to nose and throat cancers and other respiratory ailments; and napthalene, which has been proven to cause tissue damage and cancer in the lungs of rodents in laboratory studies. Imagine what it could do to humans!  All three chemicals disrupt hormones and reproductive systems and cause cancer. 

Instead, put together your own air freshener with 6 drops each of lavender and lemon essential oil and 3 drops of peppermint oil in a spray bottle with water.  Voila!

Come up with your own green clean

Creating your own natural and low-cost cleaning products is a surefire way to maintain a healthy and toxin-free home. Here’s a list of some natural ingredients that can be combined to make your own green cleaners:

• Essential oils, such as lemon, grapefruit, melaleuca, lavender, and orange;
• Baking soda;
• Borax;
• Liquid Castile soap;
• White distilled vinegar;
• Olive oil;
• Distilled water; and
• Vegetable glycerin.

My go-to products include Dr. Bronner’s Unscented Castile Soap for cleaning tubs and sinks; an essential oil diffuser to add natural fragrance throughout the home; distilled vinegar and water to clean laminate floors; Bright Green Dish Washing Liquid for hand-washing dishes; and Seventh Generation Free and Clear Dishwasher Detergent Packs.

What are some of the green practices you use in your home?  What’s the most difficult aspect of switching to more natural, green products?