Use this home detox checklist to go beyond Spring cleaning to rid your home of toxic chemicals and dust that accumulates over the winter months.
Spring is known for a lot of things. Fresh air. Green grass. Yellow daffodils. Baby bunnies. And cleaning!
Yes, when you say Spring, I say cleaning!
Once it’s finally warm enough to open up the windows, it’s time to get down to business and start deep cleaning and detoxing your home.
Why Do a Home Detox?
Wait! Before I lose you on the boring subject of cleaning, let’s talk about why a home detox is an important thing to do.
FACT: The air inside your home is 2 to 5 times more polluted than outside air.
This is because chemicals are constantly off-gassing from products in our home – everything from the carpets and furniture, to the air fresheners and cleaning products we might be spraying.
The fact that we keep our homes closed up all winter, means those chemicals are trapped and keep accumulating. Using air purifiers and furnace filters throughout the year will certainly help, but doesn’t completely solve the problem.
FACT: Toxic chemicals accumulate in dust.
Chemicals found in household dust include phthalates (used in plastics), flame retardants (in furniture, mattresses and some clothing), BPA (in some plastics), PFCs (from non-stick products), lead (from paint in older homes), pesticides (coming in on our shoes) and more.
Babies and young children are especially vulnerable to toxic dust due to their small size and developing bodies. And who’s most likely to be on the floor and possibly ingesting dust? Yep, those little ones.
FACT: A home detox can make a difference!
Spring is the perfect time of year to open up your home and work on getting rid of those toxic chemicals that have been trapped inside all winter long.
Home Detox Checklist
Whether you are new to the idea of healthy, natural living, or you’ve been practicing it for years, you’ll find that these home detox tasks are easy to do! Plus, they are mostly free or very low cost.
1. Circulate the Air
One of the first things I do when the temp warms up outside is to open up the windows! Getting fresh air circulating is key, so open up windows and doors on opposite sides of the house and on different floors, to get air moving up, down and all around! Ceiling fans and box fans to push out stale air, are also helpful.
2. Bust the Dust
Now’s the time to tackle all those dust bunnies that have been hiding out all winter. Get out your non-toxic dusting spray and a reusable, microfiber cloth and get to work on those baseboards, windowsills and lighting fixtures. Move large furniture and pull out appliances and vacuum behind them. A vacuum with a HEPA filter is recommended because it will trap small particulates that most filters do not catch.
RELATED: Good Reasons to Buy Natural, Non-Toxic Products
3. Use Non-Toxic Cleaners
If you haven’t yet made the switch to non-toxic cleaning products, now’s the time. It’s easy to make a simple, homemade cleaning spray or choose from my favorite non-toxic cleaning brands. Spring cleaning tasks including wiping down refrigerator shelves, cleaning up the pantry (you know it’s full of crumbs!), and doing a deep cleaning of the bathroom and laundry room to bust any mold and mildew that might be taking residence.
4. Add Houseplants
Did you know plants are nature’s air cleaners? According to a NASA study, certain potted plants absorb some chemical particulates from the air including nasties like benzene, formaldehyde, xylene, and ammonia. Add a few houseplants like Boston Fern, English Ivy, Spider Plants and Peace Lily, and you’ll be on your way to cleaner air in your home.
5. Eliminate Artificial Scents
Artificial fragrances from room sprays, perfumed candles, spray perfumes and most conventional cleaning products can be a big source of air pollution in your home. Luckily, natural alternatives are easy to find and wonderful to use! For a naturally fragranced home, switch to an essential oil diffuser. For personal fragrance, choose a natural perfume (I love this brand but there are plenty more!)
RELATED: Best Green Cleaning Brands
6. Leave Shoes at the Door
You may not see them, but plenty of chemicals come in the house on the bottom of your shoes. Lead, pesticides, fertilizers and pollen just to name a few. Best to leave those shoes at the door to keep unhealthy chemicals from spreading around your home. Keeping out the dirt will be an added bonus!
Who’s ready to tackle that home detox?
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