Happy Monday! We are officially experiencing the sunny days of Spring! The first long weekend of the season is coming up and we can’t think of a better time to plan a do-it-yourself home detox. Maureen Dennis joins us today On The Fourth Floor with tips for a cleaner and greener life. Don’t forget to head over to WeeWelcome.com, and be entered to win a Seventh Generation Do-It-Yourself Home Detox prize package, valued at over $200!
I was shocked to learn that babies are exposed to 300 chemicals of concern before they are even born – that is a staggering stat. Education is the best way to empower ourselves to make small changes to our daily habits. Making smarter and safer choices can help drive major change for ourselves, our families, and the planet.
A mom of four, I know a thing or two about finding effective and affordable ways to create a healthy and happy living environment. Working closely with Seventh Generation, I’ve established a series of educational and easy tips to help detoxify the home by eliminating harmful toxins. The tips, which are also recommended by Environmental Defence (Canada’s most effective environmental action organization) can be used by the whole family to lead a cleaner, greener life.
Furthering their commitment to building a toxin-free generation, Seventh Generation will donate $0.50 per unit sold of any Seventh Generation product to Environmental Defence from today through May 30, up to a total of $10,000. The partnership is fitting, as Seventh Generation was created to inspire a revolution to nurture the health of the next seven generations, by providing busy families with plant based, value-driven cleaning and baby care products. Environmental Defence, the organization that successfully advocated the banning of BPA in baby bottles and phthalates in children’s toys, educates Canadians about cancer-causing and hormone-disrupting chemicals they are exposed to every day.
This year, instead of a standard spring cleaning, detox your home by finding and fighting toxins.
7 Steps for a do-it-yourself home detox
1) Open the windows. Air inside is often more polluted than outdoor air. Monitor the quality of the air inside your home by opening the windows daily to ventilate, and avoid room fresheners or sprays that contain synthetic ingredients and fragrances. Remember, the term ‘fragrance’ can represent hundreds of unknown chemicals. Look for products that use 100 per cent natural fragrance or offer fragrance-free formulations. Keep the rooms in your home smelling fresh and clean by using natural ingredients and fragrances, with a few other important tips:
2) Leave shoes at the door. Roughly 70 percent of household dust, pests, pollutants and dirt (which often contains lead and other chemicals) are tracked indoors on the bottom of shoes. Ask guests to remove their shoes before entering your home or place welcome mats around doors to encourage them to wipe their shoes, and make sure to clean mats regularly. Keep a cloth at the door to wipe down your pets’ paws after walks.
3) Plant more indoor plants. Plants don’t just add décor to your home; they can also help absorb impurities in the air. Choose a bright orchid or lily to reduce harmful VOCs like formaldehyde and xylene. Keep them hydrated by watering with an ice cube once a week. For some added freshness, fill a mason jar with boiling water and fresh orange or lemon slices, cloves, or other herbs for a zesty, natural air freshener.
4) Clean with plant based or DIY cleaners. Choose household cleaning products that are free of chemicals like VOC’s, harsh solvents, and dyes. From floors to dishes to the air inside your home, clean the surfaces kids play on and the things that can end up in little mouths with toxin-free products. Go with cleaners that don’t create harsh fumes or solvents; plant-based products and natural oils get the job done just as well. Pick a brand like Seventh Generation that voluntarily gives full ingredient disclosure so you are fully informed of what you’re bringing into your home, or mix your own cleaning solution by combining baking soda and hot water.
5) Sleep on organic and/or natural fibres. When purchasing blankets or bedding for your family, aim for certified organic and/or natural fibers that are lighter in colour (less harsh dying) and avoid those marked as permanent press, easy care or no iron – all of which can contain formaldehyde. Refresh your mattress regularly by sprinkling baking soda directly around the mattress (remove the fitted sheet first). This helps to reduce dust, cut lingering smells and more.
6) Detox your home from the outside in. Tackle weeds and pests without chemicals. Spray your lawn with white vinegar or spread natural mulch over affected areas. To prevent ants and fleas from coming inside, mix 30 grams of a biodegradable soap, like Seventh Generation’s natural dish liquid in a litre of water and spray around your home’s foundation.
7) Choose toys made from natural materials. Purchase toys, cribs, and bedding made from natural materials, like solid woods with non-toxic finishes and natural textiles like organic cotton or wool. The familiar “new smell” that plastic toys emit can be a sign that toxic softeners or finishes were used to make the product. As with food, always check the label on toys before purchasing: though there is no labelling requirement for toys to be ‘non-toxic’, some brands will specify it. When it comes to cribs, choose solid wood that is made with a non-toxic, water-based finish. Crib rails can be an unexpected teething spot for toddlers. Clean grimy toys like Lego and other small items regularly by putting them in a mesh bag and tossing them in the washing machine for a thorough wash, coupled with Seventh Generation’s laundry detergent.
How do you detox your home? Share your tips with us on Twitter @rockitpromo, and be sure to follow Maureen Dennis on @weewelcome for more lifestyle and parenting tips. Head over to www.seventhgeneration.ca to download and print the below PDF.
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