Reducing Harmful Chemicals at Home

Spring is here! Planning to deep clean your home this season? You might want to be cautious about the chemicals you use. Many cleaners, pesticides, and personal care items contain toxins and pollutants that can negatively affect you and your family’s health. Reduce chemical exposure and remove toxins from your home with these ten simple and effective tips.

The Benefits of a Toxin-Free Home

Researchers at George Washington University found that some furniture, electronics, cosmetics, wall coverings, and cleaning products contain chemicals called volatile organic compounds. VOCs can leach into the air you breathe and the dust in your home. In fact, studies found that indoor pollution from chemical home products is as dangerous as pollution from gas-powered vehicles.

Ingesting these toxins can cause adverse health effects and chemical exposure symptoms like itching, watery eyes, and skin rashes. Homes with fewer toxins allow you to breathe easier and fight the risk of certain diseases, cancers, asthma, and more.

How Can I Reduce Toxins in My Home?

From using green cleaners to natural personal care items like Doctor Hoy’s pain-relieving gels and creams, you can reduce chemical exposure at home and promote a healthier environment for you and your family. Here's how you can reduce your family’s exposure to harsh chemicals and toxins while giving your home a much-needed refresh for spring.

1. Filter Your Water

Toxins in water run-off from industrial waste and farms can contaminate waterways. Unfiltered tap water may contain bacteria and substances like lead, chlorine, E. coli, and pesticides. Filter your water using a faucet filter, a pitcher, or by installing a home water filtration system. Then, try adding lemon to water for a refreshing taste of spring.

2. Ditch Plastic Water Bottles

You may have heard of the harmful effects of plastic containing BPA. BPA is an endocrine disruptor that interferes with the body’s natural hormone production. However, even BPA-free plastic water bottles can contain toxic chemicals. Not only will you reduce your carbon footprint, but you’ll also be contributing to your family’s overall health.

3. Go Natural with Personal Care

Found in a variety of cosmetics and personal care products, VOCs are home toxins that cause headaches, nausea, skin irritation, breathing problems, and more. Since you can absorb these toxins through your skin, it’s best to choose natural products and topicals that are toxin-free like Doctor Hoy’s.

Doctor Hoy’s uses clean, safe, natural ingredients like menthol, camphor, aloe, and Arnica Montana in our Pain Relief Gel and Arnica Boost Recovery Cream. They contain no harsh preservatives, parabens carcinogens, or poisons, and they’re effective at relieving pain. Doctor Hoy’s is safe for children and adults and may be used for pregnant or nursing mothers under the direction of a physician.

4. Use Eco-Friendly Cleaners

Chemical agents that you spray into the air tend to linger, mixing in with the dust and air as we breathe them in. Natural cleaners either store-bought or homemade do just as well if not better than synthetic ones. Choose solvents, detergents, and liquids that are free from chlorine, ammonia, petroleum, and phosphates in biodegradable packaging.

5. Vacuum & Dust Regularly

Since even our furniture and home decor can contain toxins like flame retardants, phthalates, and VOCs, using a vacuum with a HEPA filter can help eliminate these pollutants. Carpeted floors trap contaminants and may worsen asthma symptoms. Excess dust reveals a build-up of toxins that you breathe in every day. Wet mopping and dusting surfaces with a damp towel helps reduce dust, too.

6. Avoid Aerosol Air Fresheners

Synthetic air fresheners, particularly aerosols, can cause skin irritation, breathing difficulties, and have other adverse health effects. Not to mention, you spray these chemicals directly into the air you breathe, onto your furniture, and into spaces where you eat. Instead, use a natural alternative like essential oils. Try a diffusor method or mix a few drops with water for a DIY air freshener spray.

7. Go Barefoot

Going barefoot in your home or only wearing socks without shoes prevents you from tracking in dirt, pesticides, or chemicals from outside. Since carpeted surfaces can easily trap these chemicals, regularly vacuum rugs or carpets in the home or consider swapping them out for wood or laminate flooring.

8. Wash Your Hands

Always wash up before a meal. Having clean hands before touching food can reduce chemical exposure to different toxins and curb your chances of getting sick. You should also wash all fruits, veggies, and herbs to get rid of left-over pesticides before using them to cook or eating them.

9. Purify the Air with Plants

During the Covid-19 pandemic, many households started investing in air purifiers to help mitigate indoor pollution. Houseplants are another greener option, since certain types can help manage pollutants, control dust, and even relieve stress. This spring, consider adding a peace lily, Ficus, spider plant, or English ivy to your home.

10. Have Your Home Tested

You can find out how to test for toxins in your home by calling your local health department or hiring a home inspector. The two leading home toxins are lead and radon gas, both of which are known to cause severe health problems. You can also purchase a radon test kit online or contact a certified radon mitigated company.

Reduce Chemicals & Toxins at Home

Reducing toxic waste and harmful chemicals means more than fighting climate change and protecting ecosystems. Harmful toxins affect us in our own homes. Choosing eco-friendly cleaners and home care products like Doctor Hoy’s pain relief helps you, your family, and the environment. Plus, what better time to purge home toxins than spring cleaning?

References:

Rutala WA, Barbee SL, Aguiar NC, Sobsey MD, Weber DJ. Antimicrobial activity of home disinfectants and natural products against potential human pathogens. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2000;21(1):33-38. doi:10.1086/501694

human. (2018, February 8). Consumer & Industrial Products Now a Dominant Urban Air Pollution Source. CIRES. https://cires.colorado.edu/news/consumer-industrial-products-now-dominant-urban-air-pollution-source

Zota, A. R., Singla, V., Adamkiewicz, G., Mitro, S. D., & Dodson, R. E. (2017). Reducing chemical exposures at home: opportunities for action. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 71(9), 937–940. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech-2016-208676

Davis, J. L. (n.d.). 10 Affordable Ways to Make Your Home Healthy. WebMD. Retrieved March 17, 2023, from https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/features/affordable-ways-to-make-home-safer