Simple tips for creating a non-toxic, healthy home at no cost to you.
When my husband and I first moved into our home we had NO extra money. I laugh when I look back at pictures of our mostly empty living room, furnished with a thrift store couch and a hodge-podge of hand-me-downs and Grandma’s antiques.
But it was OUR home and we loved it!
Fast forward many years later and we’ve managed to upgrade a bit. Many of the antiques and are still there but a new couch and lots of artwork have spruced up the place! Still, our budget has always guided our purchases and we can’t always have everything we want.
Sound familiar?
Easy + Free Ways to Make a Healthy Home
(Note: there are affiliate links in this post. If you make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting Mindful Momma if you do!)
I’ve heard from many of you who are starting out on your natural living journey who say you want to make your home healthier, but that money is definitely an issue. I get it. I haven’t found the money tree yet either.
So I thought you’d appreciate these totally FREE tips for creating a healthier home. They’re all about keeping toxins out of your house – via the food you eat and the air you breathe.
Remember that healthy, natural living extends beyond diet and exercise and into your home – including your daily habits, the products you use, the way you live your life.
The great thing is, you can start setting these things in motion TODAY! Don’t worry – they’re all easy peasy to do – and did I mention free? Who doesn’t love free?
Remove your shoes
Lead, pesticides, fertilizers, allergens – you’d be surprised at all the things that come into your home on your shoes besides dirt. Take your shoes off at the door to keep unhealthy toxins from spreading around your home. Plus your house will be cleaner – which is always a bonus!
Open the windows
Indoor air can be surprisingly unhealthy due to vapors and fumes in everything from furniture and carpets to perfumes and cleaning products, so allow fresh air to circulate into your home whenever possible. Do as much as you can to air out your home – try opening up windows and doors on opposite sides of the house to get air moving up, down and all around.
Stop microwaving plastic
Heat causes chemicals to leach out of plastic and into food and beverages. Even so-called “microwave-safe” plastics are not truly safe – it’s best to avoid plastic in the microwave completely. Reheat food in safe glass containers or on the stove top instead.
Dust and vacuum frequently
Need motivation to clean more often? How about the fact that household dust is laden with chemicals like lead, pesticides and flame retardants that are linked to serious health problems. The best way to beat it is by dusting, mopping and vacuuming frequently. If possible use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to remove harmful particles from indoor air.
RELATED: 4 Good Reasons to Buy Natural, Non-Toxic Products for Home & Life
Wash your produce
Even when the fruits and veggies you buy look perfectly clean, it’s best to wash them before eating. Not only to remove dirt and germs but also to reduce traces of pesticides. Note: washing will not remove all pesticide residues so buying organic is best, especially for the fruits & vegetables with the highest pesticide levels (known as the Dirty Dozen).
Ditch the air fresheners
Don’t be fooled – scented air freshening products, like sprays, plugins and candles, may seem like a good way to make your home smell better, but they actually pollute the air with chemical fragrance components and other toxic ingredients. If you still want a fragrant home, try simmering spices on your stove top, or use a natural essential oil diffuser or naturally scented beeswax candles. Clean your home with non-toxic cleaning sprays as well.
Read labels
If you want a healthier home, learning how to read and understand labels on the products you buy is key. You’ll want to steer clear of the worst food additives. Avoid cleaning products labeled poison or danger and look for safer cleaning products instead. Learn which certifications to look for on better beauty products. Understand what terms like BPA-free, phthalate-free and USDA Organic really mean. It’s a learning process but you can do it!
It doesn’t matter if you’ve just moved in or you’ve been in the same house for too many years to count (like me!) – these are always relevant ways to make your home a safe and healthy place to live!
What are some things you have done to create a healthy home?
Allison says
Please, please, please, get rid of any fragranced laundry products. Those seem to be most heavily fragranced and they stick to the clothes forever. Also, don’t use fragranced body products. T
his includes shampoos, conditioners, gels, hair sprays, body lotion, soaps.
Micaela says
You are so right Allison – artificially fragranced products are a huge source of yucky chemicals. Swapping out products for either fragrance-free or naturally scented products is a great next step – after you’ve knocked off all the FREE options! 🙂
Jacqueline Rice says
This is a good list, I have a few more because I’m sensitive to chemicals. But, my big nemesis is dryer sheets. They make me so sick I can’t even be in my own back yard if the neighbors are using them. One neighbor agreed to stop using them, which was very considerate of him but his tenants continue to use them. And the neighbors on the other side just moved in so it’s not a good time to approach them about my issue. I’d really love to see them taken off the market.
Micaela says
Yes, that’s a good one Jacqueline! Do you use wool dryer balls instead? Here’s a post I wrote about a few dryer sheet alternatives: https://mindfulmomma.com/2011/09/easy-dryer-sheet-alternatives.html
Bonnie says
I want to make a point regarding candles and I don’t know if the same thing happens with beeswax candles. I received several candles as gifts over the years. I have been home more recently and decided to use them. Over a 3 week period I was burning them when I was home and never at night. I check my furnace filter about once a month. This time it was exactly a month b/c I had just had the furnace serviced and the filter changed so I knew the date. I was shocked to see that the filter was BLACK. I had never seen it like that even if I went 3-4 months. Searched the internet for a possible cause and one of the suggestions was candles. Although we don’t often see it the candles are spewing soot into the air and we are breathing that stuff.
Micaela says
Bonnie – my understanding is that beeswax candles produce very little soot – because they burn hotter and more slowly than paraffin candles. Plus beeswax is sustainable, unlike petroleum based paraffin wax. And most regular candles are scented with artificial fragrances. Given all that, I always recommend beeswax over traditional candles!
The Golightly’s says
We started several years ago with a recycle station at our home and committed to not having a “trash can” since we have simplified our wardrobe and all linens with all natural fiber materials like organic cotton, linen, silk, denim, wool, down and replaced ALL of the products that come in contact with our skin with natural simple products like Castile soap, Vinegar, Baking Soda, Sodium carbonate, essential oils, coconut oil, almond oil, lemon juice, witch hazel, peroxide… we don’t use disposable napkins or trash bags or any plastics in our kitchen. We use reusable bags and refillable 5 gallon jugs for water. We hear water one hour a day. We removed large appliances like the stove and high electromagnetic producers like the microwave many years ago. We disconnect when at all possible by completely unplugging power to rooms. We have also been using drying racks for many years to lessen our power consumption and prolong the life of our garments, appliances and launder only when necessary what is actually dirty not just worn. We also have lots of fruits, vegetables and nuts growing in our yard. We spend many days in our us and have a garden, compost, and nature friendly small farm where we have lots of plants that we grow and share. We know there is so much more to do but we are committed to do better every day to save our planet, it’s resources, as well as our health and money.
Micaela says
Wow! I’m impressed by all you do for your health and the planet! Keep up the good work!