Time to Banish These Nasty Chemicals From the Home?

Our homes are full to the brim with chemicals, and many of them are incredibly toxic. It’s a huge issue that many households don’t even realize. Not only do these chemicals cause severe damage to the environment and your home, but they are also a lot more dangerous than you might think. Believe it or not, 300 children are treated for poisoning every day in America, many of which are a result of swallowing household cleaners and medicines. Scary, right?

The good news is there are plenty of things you can do to ensure your children or family members never end up as part of that grim statistic. And in today’s guide, we’re going to uncover a few of the must-do things you can try out to ensure chemicals are out of your home, or at the very least, well out of harm’s way. Let’s take a closer look.

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Cleaning products

First of all, there are some toxic chemicals we need in the home, but there are plenty of alternatives you can use instead. As pointed out over at cleanhappens.com, traditional cleaning products, from floor detergents to washing powder, are often packed full of nasties. Given they contain substances like chlorine, petroleum solvent, and bleach, it’s a good move to replace them with natural alternatives instead – or even make your own homemade detergents.

A greener garden

Are you using lots of chemical weed and bug killers in the garden? If so, they are highly toxic, and you should seek out natural alternatives. Researchers have linked some of the herbicides used in weedkillers to some aggressive forms of cancer, and insecticides have a worrying impact on children – some are reported to have developed brain damage. You are far better off weeding by hand, enriching your soil with homemade compost, and enticing birds and other predators into the garden to feed off the slugs, plant-eating insects and other pests that cause your problems.  

Scented products

There are a whole bunch of scented products we all like to use in the home. Whether it’s air fresheners, shampoos, disinfectants, perfumes or even scented candles, there’s a good chance you use many of them without even thinking. But you should. The reality is that whenever you see the word ‘scented’ or ‘parfum,’ those smells are created by some highly toxic chemicals, that are full of carcinogens. Try to go down the unscented route as much as possible, or possibly make your own. Leave out a small bowl of baking soda mixed with white wine vinegar instead, and if you do use any fragranced product, ensure you do so with plenty of ventilation.

Beauty products

It’s not just smelling good that can have an impact on our health – it’s looking good, too. According to huffingtonpost.com, there is a vast array of nasty substances used in beauty products. Whether it’s parabens in your makeup, synthetic coloring in your cosmetics, or formaldehyde in your body washes and nail polishes, overuse of any of these chemicals can be incredibly dangerous. Make better choices by embracing natural ingredients, and always do your homework on the plethora of ingredients that beauty products contain.

Any more tips to add? Feel free to share in the comments section below!