If you are spending some time this summer cleaning your house, or if you just want to spruce it up a bit - consider giving it a detox as well.
But, just what is a home detox?
Detoxing your home is like detoxing anything else. We all live with too many plastics, chemicals, and toxins. They take a toll on our health, both physical and mental. While we cannot rid our lives entirely of such things, moving our homes toward a more healthy living environment can certainly help.
So what are some things you can do to detox your house?
Tip #1 - Buy plants as natural detoxifiers.
Indoor air quality, oftentimes, can be as hazardous as outdoor air quality. Cleaning products, germs, and dirt all take their toll on our lungs and our health.
Enter plants that help indoor air quality, and some of them are easy to take care of even for the most inept of gardeners. A fast internet search will yield quick, easy reads, and feel free to go to Good Housekeeping's article on the ten best indoor plants.
Two of my favorites? Snake plants and spider plants. They are low maintenance, will let you know when they need to be watered, and look great in any home. Best of all they filter out pollutants and germs!
Tip #2 - Switch to all-natural cleaning products.
Some of the worst pollutants and poisons in our home are our cleaning products. Even time tested and true cleaning brands from our childhood are no longer considered safe, and many have totally changed their formulations, too. Many people report that their health issues, and the issues their children have, become easier to manage, or entirely disappear, when they switch to less-toxic and/or all-natural cleaning products.
But what alternatives are available? First, internet searches yield many safer and environmentally friendly products. Sometimes they cost more. Sometimes they do not.
Networking with others can be beneficial, and Facebook pages abound with like-minded people who are on a quest to provide a more friendly living environment within their homes.
"If you house is really a mess and a stranger comes to the door, greet him with, "Who could have done this? We have no enemies." – Phyllis Diller
Tip #3 - Switch to reusable dryer balls.
I personally never use dryer sheets. I realized about ten years ago that anything dried with them makes me itch, whether its clothes or towels or sheets. And in truth, they are one of the biggest offenders when it comes to allergens.
If you are ready to get rid of your dryer sheets, or if you have avoided using them like me, you can make your own (go on another internet search) or buy reusable dryer balls (Amazon is a good starting place).
You'll never go back to traditional dryer sheets again!
Tip #4 - Clean air vents and replace filters.
Summer detox by cleaning all your air vents and replacing all your filters. This includes cleaning and replacing the filters on any indoor air purifiers as well.
Do you have a dirtier issue with your AC and heating system? It might be time to call in a professional to deep clean your air ducts.
Your lungs will thank you!
Tip #5 - Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter.
I would never suggest you buy a new vacuum, but if you are in the market for one, be sure to buy one with a HEPA filter. The HEPA filter will trap small particles and allergens that are not seen by the human eye. They do need regular replacing, but they are a great way to improve indoor air quality, especially if you have seasonal allergies or pets in the home.
Play the long game!
"Rome wasn't built in a day!" And you cannot change everything at once about the way you run your household. So, take your time while changing your mindset.
Start small by replacing products that have emptied or outlived their usefulness. This gives you time to research the best product to fit what you are trying to accomplish or to even find your own recipe. It gives you time to look for alternatives. It also gives you time to find what works for you.
Don't be afraid to change things up a bit and try new things. But, again, do not overwhelm yourself with trying too many things at once. There is a long game at play in sliding your home into a more enviromentally friendly abode.
After all, its your house and your story, so start create a home where you can write the best chapters possible!
Donna Hechler Porter is a real estate agent with Keller Williams Elite Realty in Baytown, Texas. An educator, a published author, and an arm-chair historian, Donna runs a small publishing business in addition to educating people about how to build future wealth through home ownership. Feel free to contact Donna at dhporter@kw.com.
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