No one ever describes their home as a noncarcinogenic, green structure that lengthens the lives of those who inhabit it, yet in an ideal world, that’s exactly what it should be. If you or other family members are plagued by allergies, weird bouts of vertigo, or even learning disabilities, the chemicals and toxins found inside your home might be the culprits.
Opt for Non-Carpeted Flooring
If you or someone in your family is aggravated by allergies, you probably already know how dust and mold come into play in your home. Wall-to-wall carpet has a way of harboring all sorts of cooties that you’d rather not think about — pet dander, dust, and mold spores to name a few. Consider replacing old carpeting with a more modern and convenient form of flooring such as wood or easy-to-clean laminate.
Detox Your Home Cleaners
Plain white vinegar cleans everything from coffee makers to bathroom mirrors. Lemon juice is a stain-releaser in the laundry and a softener of cooked-on food in the microwave. A simple paste of baking soda and water whitens grout, and just the right combination of vinegar, baking soda, and cooking oil cleans and polishes sealed hardwood floors. When you consider that most of these items are already sitting there in your pantry, the money you’ll save on buying caustic cleaners is significant. Add to that their nontoxic, noncarcinogenic factors, and you have a whole array of cheap and environmentally-safe cleaning products just a cabinet away.
Simplify Your Window Treatments
Replace layers of fabric drapes, curtains, and sheers with simple roller shades or blinds to help eliminate the buildup of dust, debris, and animal hair along your windows. Today’s selections of blinds and shades are positively gorgeous. They can even add to the energy efficiency of your rooms. These treatments come in a variety of colors, materials, and even prints to highlight the windows in any space, and they go a long way toward eliminating the sneeze factor.
Put Your Home Security System to Work
Your local home security systems do more than just alert you when a stranger comes calling. Make the small extra investment to install one that recognizes the presence of smoke and carbon monoxide as well. An all-inclusive home security setup will even track severe weather heading your way and remind you to close windows and skylights before damaging rain can enter.
Bring in the House Plants
Plants help filter and clean the air inside your home, almost as well as an actual air purifier, and many varieties not only survive in low light, indoor conditions — they actually thrive. The ZZ plant, snake plant and pothos plant all do well inside. But, if your heart is set on that traditional leafy fern, pot a small-to-medium-sized one in a large pedestal planter, and position it near a sliding glass door or plate-glass window for optimum exposure to sunlight.
Eliminating the bulk of unsafe conditions at home is easier than you think. It doesn’t involve the services of professional cleaning companies whose products are packed full of harsh, caustic chemicals. It doesn’t even require inspections by home safety specialists. All that’s needed is a little knowledge regarding the worst offenders in your home and some simple elbow grease to replace or eliminate them.
Natalie is a stay-at-home mom who loves to blog about parenting and happy homemaking tips.
