Toxic Chemical Alternatives for your Home
According to research done at George Washington University, 45 toxic chemicals are found commonly in your house dust and 10 out of them are present in 90% of homes across the country. This means that you can be exposed to these chemicals while you are at home, regardless of their concentration.
The presence of toxic chemicals in your house also suggests that they can harm your health if they get into your body. So, becoming aware of what they are, what they can do, and how to remove them can help you and your family stay healthy.
This article aims to point out the toxic chemicals in your homes and offer an alternative to them to make your home a safe place to live for you.
Toxic Chemical Products Present in Home
Many things we use around the house contain chemicals, some helpful, some a bit sneaky, and maybe harmful. These sneaky ones, the toxic ones, are important to know about to keep us and our loved ones safe.
Kitchen and laundry
Bleach, oven cleaners, drain openers, and even some dish soaps and laundry detergents can have many toxic chemicals like sodium hypochlorite and sodium hydroxide. These can cause skin and eye irritation, respiratory problems, and even burns if not handled with care. Ammonia, another cleaning agent, can form toxic fumes when mixed with bleach.
Laundry detergents and fabric softeners might smell delightful, but they often contain ingredients like sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and fragrances that can trigger allergies and skin irritation.
Insects Controllers
Pesticides and insecticides guard our homes from creepy crawlies but can also attack us inadvertently. Products with organophosphates and pyrethroids can be harmful if inhaled or ingested, particularly for children and pets. Weed killers and fertilizers boast lush greenery, but they often contain glyphosate and nitrates that can be harmful to humans and pets.
Air fresheners
Air fresheners and scented candles promise a fragrant sanctuary, but they can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde and benzene, which can cause headaches, dizziness, and even respiratory issues. Paint thinners and other DIY supplies also have strong chemicals.
Living room and bedrooms
Even unexpected places harbor toxins. Mothballs contain naphthalene, which can cause headaches and nausea, while some art supplies like paints and glues contain solvents like toluene that can irritate the respiratory system.
Medications
While not exactly household products, medicines are also chemicals and can be harmful if taken incorrectly. Keep them in their original containers, out of reach of children, and only take them as directed by your doctor.
How Can You Remove Toxic Chemicals from Your Home?
The best way to remove toxic chemicals from your home is to find alternatives. Here are some tips for removing toxic chemicals from your home and replacing them with natural alternatives. Castile soap can be used to replace numerous chemicals in your home. The bottle even tells you how to make laundry soap, body wash, shaving cream, hand soap, shampoo, pet shampoo, and more with their product! Below are some other suggestions!
Cleaning
In cleaning, you can use baking soda as an abrasive for scrubbing surfaces and as a deodorizer, and it can also work as a carpet cleaner. Borax can be used as a laundry booster, to remove mold and mildew, and as an ant attractant, but it should be used with caution.
Lemons are great for stain removal, and deodorizing, and can be used as a furniture polish when mixed with olive oil. Hydrogen peroxide works as a disinfectant, stain remover, and whitener, but it should be diluted before use. Essential oils can provide a natural fragrance when added in small amounts to a vinegar-water solution.
Instead of using conventional fabric softeners, you can use apple cider vinegar as a natural alternative. Add a small amount of ACV to your laundry during the rinse cycle to soften clothes without harsh chemicals.
Instead of using harsh chemicals, you can make a natural disinfectant cleaner by mixing water, rubbing alcohol, and vinegar. This combination can effectively clean and disinfect surfaces. Moreover, you can mix vinegar and water for a natural window cleaner. This solution can effectively clean glass surfaces without leaving streaks.
Personal Care
For personal care, coconut oil can be used as a moisturizer, makeup remover, and shaving cream. Jojoba oil works well as a hair conditioner, face oil, and makeup remover. Shea butter is effective as a body moisturizer, lip balm, and hair mask. Aloe vera is soothing for sunburn relief, as a moisturizer, and as a hair conditioner. Clay masks are beneficial for face and hair masks, offering purification and exfoliation.
Look for fluoride-free toothpaste options, which are available in many natural and health-focused stores. These toothpastes often use natural ingredients like baking soda and essential oils to clean and freshen your teeth without fluoride.
Air Purification
Consider using air purifiers with HEPA filters that need regular replacement or activated charcoal filters. Certain houseplants like snake plants, peace lilies, and golden pothos are excellent natural air purifiers.
Regularly ventilating your home by opening windows allows for fresh air circulation. Reduce your reliance on plastics by storing food in glass containers, avoiding plastic wrap, and choosing non-plastic water bottles.
Air Fresheners
Choose natural candles made with beeswax wicks and natural wax such as soy, beeswax, or coconut oil.
Create a simmer pot by putting water in a small pot on low on the stove (or opt for a small crock pot) and add citrus fruits, cinnamon sticks, pumpkin pie spice, pine, really anything natural with a great scent and just let it simmer (adding water as needed).
Do a Patch Test before use!
It's important to patch-test any new natural product on a small skin area before applying it to your entire face or body. Keep all cleaning products and essential oils out of reach of children and pets for safety. You don't have to replace everything at once; start with a few simple swaps and gradually incorporate more natural alternatives as you become comfortable.
Final Words
While it may not be entirely possible to remove all toxic chemicals from your home, by reducing your exposure and making conscious choices, you can significantly improve the air quality and overall health of your living space. If you are ever in doubt, you can check the EWG website. On this site, they list product ingredients and rate them based on their connection to diseases.