We can reduce our risk of chronic illness by limiting our exposure to toxic chemicals in our homes, which is where most of us spend the majority of our time. Here are your top 9 tips to improve the environment in your living space.
- Take shoes off when inside. You can carry in metals, pesticides, dirt and other nasties in on your shoes. Go barefoot or wear slippers.
- Keep the airflow circulating through your house by opening windows and doors as regularly as possible. Have indoor plants to help keep the air clean. Popular plants are; English Ivy, Gerbera Daisy, Peace Lily, Weeping fig, Bamboo plants and Chinese Evergreen.
- Switch household cleaning products to cleaner and greener ones. You can make these at home using simple ingredients such as baking soda, vinegar, tea tree oil and vegetable based soaps.
- Keep house dust to a minimum to help prevent allergens and less toxins staying inside.
- Get a water filter as more than 700 chemicals have been identified in drinking water. Filtering tap water is better than drinking bottled water.
- Ditch air fresheners and switch to having a bunch of flowers inside or pure beeswax candles as a way to freshen up the place.
- Avoid excess moisture as it encourages the growth of mould and mildew. Regularly clean areas prone to mould such as around sinks and underneath them.
- Clean with microfiber cloths as they grab the dirt and hold it instead of pushing it around. It also allows the surface to stay cleaner for longer.
- Deep clean your mattress, as they can be the perfect environment for dust mites, moisture and allergens.