I’ve been isolating and I hope you’ve been too. We are getting through this together and will come out stronger.

 

I often talk about your physical, emotional, and even mental health but there is something very important that I don’t often mention.

 

How is the health of your home?

 

We’ve been cooped up inside for weeks now. Have you been living in a healthy house? I consider a healthy house one that is free of chemicals and toxins, with natural light, real plants, and clean water.

 

Here’s my list of common household toxins that can make you and your family sick:

 

  • Cleaning products like bleach, Comet, Air fresheners, Corrosive drain and oven cleaners, laundry detergents, tile and tub cleaners that foam and bubble

 

  • Beauty and skincare products like perfumes, make-up, nail polish and remover, hair dye, shampoo, condition, hair spray, hair gel, soaps, scented lotions, toothpaste, sunscreens with hormone disruptors, and deodorant

 

  • Pest control: bug spray (ant, roach, spider, tic), pesticides for your lawn and garden, if you live on or near a golf course then you’re getting chemicals in your air and water

 

  • Outgassing. These things can outgas in your house for up to 7 years! New carpet on it’s own and then the glue used is quite toxic, new paint (even low VOC have chemicals to cover odors etc), tile and stone sealants, and particle board often used to make cabinets and shelving

 

  • Water treated with chlorine and fluoride

 

  • Electromagnetic fields (EMF): whole house alarms, leaving wifi on at night, leaving cell phones on at night (at least put them in Airplane mode), smart meters, and living near cell phone towers

 

It’s quite likely you have a house that could use a little upgrading to become healthier, thus making you healthier and happier.

 

I understand it’s a big list I shared. Take a deep breath, it’s actually very easy to turn your sick house into a healthy home for you and your family, and you’ll be glad you did.

My Top Tips To Increase Your Home’s Health

 

1) Use simple cleaning products

  • a mixture of vinegar and water for tile floors
  • Bon Ami for scrubbing sinks
  • Target carries Seventh Generation cleaning products that are affordable and effective
  • On Guard doTerra cleaning products and laundry detergent (very concentrated, only need a little)
  • Bona for cleaning wood floors
  • Food grade hydrogen peroxide for mold and bottoms of sinks (use gloves it can burn your skin)
  • Meyer’s brand cleaning supplies and soaps
  • Ecos brand is another great option

 

2) Use natural body care products.

  • Organic doesn’t always mean what you think it does. Something labeled Natural or Organic only has to have a small percentage of natural or organic ingredients in order to be labeled and called Natural or Organic. Become a label reader.
  • Watch out for deodorants, many contain propylene glycol, a chemical in antifreeze, avoid this as well as the parabens.
  • There are formaldehyde-free nail polishes at many health food stores.
  • Avoid sunscreens with chemicals that you can’t pronounce. Most of them are hormone disruptors. Use ones that contain safe zinc and titanium dioxide (less favorite but better than the estrogen disruptors)
  • Make-up: I love 100% PURE brand. Their lipsticks are made from fruit pigment and are safe. Most lipsticks and glosses have chemicals in them, which you eat. That lipstick gets in ya ladies, so buy the natural and organic good stuff and pucker up!

 

3) Use natural pest control

  • There are dozens of do-it-yourself recipes on line to help you win the battle against ants, cockroaches, spiders, and tics.
  • Even most Targets carry natural bug spray for your family
  • Essential oils can work quite well. I love TerraShield by doTerra. Here are a few recipes on a reputable site. 

Mosquitoes: Citronella, peppermint, lemon, eucalyptus, basil, clove, thyme, lemongrass, geranium, and lavender;

Fleas: Cedarwood, citronella, eucalyptus, tea tree, lemongrass, lavender, orange, and pine;

Ticks: Rose geranium, juniper, rosewood, thyme, grapefruit, and oregano.

  

4) Natural Construction Options

  • hard woods, bamboo flooring, natural and outgassed carpets without glue (staple it down),
  • natural paint(designed for people with chemical sensitivities, you can practically eat the stuff). Here’s a good paint resource. 

 

5) Water filtration systems in all showers and faucets, a whole house system is optimal. I use a Berkey to filter the spring water that has been treated with chlorine by the municipal. Spring water is best, whenever I’m in Boulder, I can easily access excellent Spring water. Reverse osmosis isn’t the best for everyday drinking. You can read more about water in my book Holistic Keto for Gut Health.

 

6) EMF

  •  Turn wifi off at night
  • Turn whole house alarm off at night and secure all doors and windows manually
  • Turn phones off or onto airplane mode whenever not in use
  • Use old fashioned corded phone in your home, land line
  • Never work with a computer on your lap, your precious ovaries and testes are right there
  • Avoid Bluetooth and use corded headsets, air tubes are best but not very durable.

 

7) House plants can liven up any living space or office. Not only do they look nice, they are good for your health. Yes, they do require minimal care and they will give you some oxygen in exchange.

 

I hope these tips help you create a healthy home!

 

Please Read this blog on The 9 Most Toxic Personal Care Products.

Blessings of Vibrant Health,

Kristin Grayce

LAc, MAc, CFMP(R), CST-T, CLP

Health and Lifestyle Alchemist