7 Steps to a Chemical-Free Home
Find out how to detox your home and ensure a healthy indoor environment for your family
Let’s admit it – pollution levels in most cities are off the charts, with toxic chemicals not only present in the polluted outdoor air but also within our homes and in the food we eat. In the long run, these chemicals can have adverse effects on our health and well-being. Here are some tips to combat pollutants and cut down our exposure to them.
2. Bring in fresh air
Make it a habit to open your windows every day for a limited time; allow cross ventilation and let fresh air circulate throughout your home. This is an effective way to periodically replace toxic air with fresh air. Exhaust fans in the bathroom, kitchen and store rooms go a long way in getting rid of trapped smoke and mouldy air.
Make it a habit to open your windows every day for a limited time; allow cross ventilation and let fresh air circulate throughout your home. This is an effective way to periodically replace toxic air with fresh air. Exhaust fans in the bathroom, kitchen and store rooms go a long way in getting rid of trapped smoke and mouldy air.
3. Go for non-toxic paints
Opt for odourless, lead- and chemical-free paints with low levels of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) for your walls. This is a great solution to create a chemical-free home. Make a note that paints with high VOCs constantly emit toxic gases for quite some time and are a major source of indoor pollutants. Brands like Berger Paints and Asian Paints have such products on offer.
Opt for odourless, lead- and chemical-free paints with low levels of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) for your walls. This is a great solution to create a chemical-free home. Make a note that paints with high VOCs constantly emit toxic gases for quite some time and are a major source of indoor pollutants. Brands like Berger Paints and Asian Paints have such products on offer.
4. Choose organic materials for mattresses, bedspreads and more…
How about going organic when it comes to choosing your mattress or buying bedspreads, curtains, rugs and towels for your home? Organic materials are grown without harmful pesticides or processes that hurt the environment or the farmers. They also restrict the toxins that get absorbed by one’s body through fabrics.
Go for natural latex- or coir-based mattresses as these are resistant to most allergens like mould and dust mites, and are manufactured using a chemical-free process. Many conventional mattresses are primarily made of polyurethane foam, dyes, flame retardants and adhesives that may contribute to the release of VOC chemicals into the air.
Also, when purchasing new home furnishing or upholstery fabrics, opt for products with natural plant or animal fibres like cotton, linen or wool instead of synthetic fabrics like nylon or polyester, which require numerous chemicals and solvents to create them; further, synthetic fibres do not allow the skin to breathe properly.
Which mattress is right for you?
How about going organic when it comes to choosing your mattress or buying bedspreads, curtains, rugs and towels for your home? Organic materials are grown without harmful pesticides or processes that hurt the environment or the farmers. They also restrict the toxins that get absorbed by one’s body through fabrics.
Go for natural latex- or coir-based mattresses as these are resistant to most allergens like mould and dust mites, and are manufactured using a chemical-free process. Many conventional mattresses are primarily made of polyurethane foam, dyes, flame retardants and adhesives that may contribute to the release of VOC chemicals into the air.
Also, when purchasing new home furnishing or upholstery fabrics, opt for products with natural plant or animal fibres like cotton, linen or wool instead of synthetic fabrics like nylon or polyester, which require numerous chemicals and solvents to create them; further, synthetic fibres do not allow the skin to breathe properly.
Which mattress is right for you?
5. Consume organic fruits, vegetables and pulses
It is advisable to buy only organic pulses, fruits (seasonal) and vegetables if possible. They are grown by farming methods without the use of hazardous pesticides.
If you do purchase fruits and vegetables from the local market, do make it a point to wash them thoroughly under running water as they are usually contaminated with pesticides.
Avoid canned or processed food as much as you can, for most of their contents are full of chemical additives that are used to increase the shelf life. You can also consider a small kitchen garden (if space permits ) to grow your own organic food.
It is advisable to buy only organic pulses, fruits (seasonal) and vegetables if possible. They are grown by farming methods without the use of hazardous pesticides.
If you do purchase fruits and vegetables from the local market, do make it a point to wash them thoroughly under running water as they are usually contaminated with pesticides.
Avoid canned or processed food as much as you can, for most of their contents are full of chemical additives that are used to increase the shelf life. You can also consider a small kitchen garden (if space permits ) to grow your own organic food.
6. Say no to BPA plastic
Get rid of plastic containers and bottles that are not BPA-free. Many types of plastic these days contain BPA (bisphenol A) – it is an undesirable chemical that has the tendency to seep into food and beverages and contaminate it. I would suggest you replace your daily use plastic jars with steel, ceramic or glass containers and bottles.
Get rid of plastic containers and bottles that are not BPA-free. Many types of plastic these days contain BPA (bisphenol A) – it is an undesirable chemical that has the tendency to seep into food and beverages and contaminate it. I would suggest you replace your daily use plastic jars with steel, ceramic or glass containers and bottles.
7. Use natural cleaners and fresheners
Use non-toxic cleaning products for your home. Avoid products which have labels like ‘danger’, ‘highly inflammable’ and ‘poison’ on them. The description determines the toxicity of the product. Look for toxin-safe products which have the presence of essential oils and absence of chemicals like ammonia or chlorine. Avoid pesticide sprays and petroleum-based deodorants as room fresheners because they release toxic chemicals in the air whenever used.
Tip: Products like vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, hydrogen peroxide are non-toxic and inexpensive ingredients that can be used to make cleaning fluids for the home.
Read more:
7 Ways to a Dust-Free Home
7 Tricks to Keep Your Home Smelling Fresh
Tell us:
Do you have any other suggestions about how to create a chemical-free home? Let us know in the Comments section below.
Use non-toxic cleaning products for your home. Avoid products which have labels like ‘danger’, ‘highly inflammable’ and ‘poison’ on them. The description determines the toxicity of the product. Look for toxin-safe products which have the presence of essential oils and absence of chemicals like ammonia or chlorine. Avoid pesticide sprays and petroleum-based deodorants as room fresheners because they release toxic chemicals in the air whenever used.
Tip: Products like vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, hydrogen peroxide are non-toxic and inexpensive ingredients that can be used to make cleaning fluids for the home.
Read more:
7 Ways to a Dust-Free Home
7 Tricks to Keep Your Home Smelling Fresh
Tell us:
Do you have any other suggestions about how to create a chemical-free home? Let us know in the Comments section below.
Introduce house plants. They work as natural air purifiers and are an excellent way to reduce toxins within the house. The best part about indoor plants is that they not only look good but also clean up the air by absorbing carbon dioxide and chemicals that are present in the air and convert it into oxygen.
Some plants that are known for their air purifying abilities include the spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum), English ivy (Hedera helix), Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata), areca palm (Dypsis lutescens) and peace lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii).
Find out what plants are best suited for Indian homes