Any chemical can be harmful or toxin under certain condition.
They include cosmetics, fuel oil, pesticides, alcohol, gasoline, over-the-counter drugs, household cleaners, and so on.
While we obviously can’t remove all of them out of our life, we can limit using these items to the minimum and learn some ways to reduce toxins in your home.
And below are the 6 easiest methods I’d like to share to you:
Indoor Plants
This natural, budget-friendly method has been so popular.
By producing oxygen, increasing humidity, and absorbing toxins, indoor plants help improve indoor air quality significantly. While most plants are natural air purifiers, some are more effective than others, such as:
- Hedera Helix (or English Ivy)
- Zamioculcas (ZZ Plant)
- Spathiphyllum (Peace Lily)
- Sansevieria trifasciata (Mother-In-Laws Tongue/Snake Plant)
- Dracaena fragrans (Janet Craig)
- Aglaonema (Chinese Evergreen)
Most of them are very easy to plant and take care of, which is perfect for gardener starters. Just remember to place them in sunny positions in the room and water at least once a week.
One thing to note: Indoor plants DO emit toxins if placed in airtight space with limited to no air circulation, especially at night. These toxins are toluene, xylene, trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, and benzene, all have negative effects on human health.
So, make sure the indoor air is well circulated in your room and even your house.
Vacuum Cleaners
Not only cleaning the house but vacuum cleaners are also specifically designed to improve the indoor air quality by reducing allergens, dust, and pet hair, protecting you from allergies and illness.
A basic rule of thumb is the stronger the motor, the smaller dust particles can be cleaned.
In the long run, it is considered as a low-cost tool that saves plenty of energy and time. With advanced vacuum cleaners, it is even able to clean your house while you’re away.
If you’re looking for the best vacuum cleaner for toxin reduction, I highly recommend trying the model with a water filtration system. The reason is compared to other types of vacuum cleaners, this is superior in purifying the air in addition to trapping pet hairs and allergens.
For the best performance, don’t forget to clean its filter and broom frequently, otherwise, it will spread dust and spills around your house.
Air Purifiers
As its name defines, the major function of air purifiers is purifying the indoor air.
BUT only certain product lines are able to reduce toxins and in general, they must include a deep-bed activated carbon filter and HEPA filtration system.
While carbon is the most effective filter media out there to trap odors, gases, and airborne chemicals, HEPA filtration system can remove particles greater than or equal to 0.3μm in diameter.
And the efficiency rating is up to 99.97%, meaning that for every 10,000 0.3μm particles, only three will pass through it.
In fact, this wonderful filter is widely applied in hospitals and now, it has been used more and more at home. If you want to learn more about the efficacy of this filter, read here.
Filter Water
Having a good water filter is the No.1 method to reduce toxins in your house.
Aside from air, water is another thing that you consume the most, for basic hydration, cooking, washing clothes, and showering. And you might know that nowadays water is hugely exposed to a wide range toxic chemicals from industrial toxins, pesticides, and led contamination.
Thinking the right way to filter your water is essential and in fact, there are a lot, such as using:
Portable ultraviolet water filters – UV rays are proved to kill harmful bacteria effectively, meaning that it can work as a water air purifier
Stabilized oxygen – the easiest, fastest way to filter water and allow for consuming instantly. It is a natural antibiotic and safe for human health.
Commercial filters – with high success in reducing toxins in the water and it includes various sizes and shapes for specific needs
Essential Oil Diffuser
This tool is known for numerous benefits and air purifying is one of them.
The key here is choosing the right essential oils with toxin reduction and air purifying properties. And the machine plays a huge role in how effectively that oil is diffused to the air.
There are 4 main types of essential oil diffusers at the current but most of them are very oil-efficient and easy to use. What you should care about is whether it fits your budget, aroma preference, and the way of operation.
In terms of essential oils, here are the best options in air purifying:
- Rosemary essential oils
- Peppermint essential oils
- Grapefruit essential oils
- Lavender essential oils
- Lemon essential oils
It would be best if you use these oils for alternative man-made air fresheners.
Take Your Shoes Off
Shoes are one of the most favorite hidden places of toxins, such as viruses, bacteria, contaminated dust, pesticides, and more, no matter how vigorously you wide them at the front door.
Some research has pointed out that shoes lead 98% of dust to the house.
If you’ve babies who usually put their fingers into their mouths after crawling around on the floor or even licking it, that would be a nightmare.
So, I suggest taking all shoes off the house.
Avoid/limit using:
- Colognes and perfumes
- Air fresheners
- Beauty products that contain phthalates and parabens
- Products made of acrylic, nylon, and polypropylene
- Plastic bottles
Conclusion
While cutting off as much as chemicals and man-made materials out of the house, adding more and more organic stuff, including foods, clothes, and so on will add dividends in indoor air improvement.
Above are all I’d like to share with you on how to reduce toxins in your home.
Thanks for reading!
