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We think of our homes as sanctuaries from the grind and grime of city living. Unfortunately, our own sanctuaries can become tainted with cigarette smoke, cleaning chemicals, off-gassing from furnishings and heaters – and even air fresheners. The toxicity builds up further when doors and windows are closed. And indoor pollution is often more harmful than outdoor.
Keep your home free from toxins:
- Leave your shoes at the front door to prevent tracking in toxins from outside.
- Use pot plants as indoor air filters.
- Open windows and doors whenever possible to improve indoor ventilation. This dilutes indoor air pollutants, and has been shown to reduce exposure to disease-carrying germs too. And, let the sunlight stream in! It acts as a natural disinfectant.
- Make your home a smoke-free zone. Smoking outside is much better, but preferably several metres away from windows and doors as smoke can find its way inside.
- Ditch artificial, so-called air fresheners and deodorisers. If you love incense, use it only occasionally as a stress-reducing treat. Incense may seem "natural", but all smoke is harmful, and exposure to incense smoke causes an inflammatory response similar to that triggered by tobacco smoke.
- Minimise commercial cleaning products. Use smaller amounts, dilute them, or make your own non-toxic alternatives.
- Vacuum regularly and mop floors to reduce levels of dust and pollutants. It helps to control fleas too. Sweeping is better than nothing, but it tends to stir up the dust.
- During renovations, vacate the property if possible, or avoid spending time in rooms undergoing alteration or painting. If you can smell new carpets, furniture or freshly painted walls, you're actually exposing yourself to chemical fumes.
- Roll out a clean mat for kids to play on, and encourage hand-washing. Children spend more time on and near the floor than we do, and also put their hands in their mouths more – all of which increases their toxin exposure.
