Let's Detoxify Your Home

 

By: Yolanda Vasquez President of Zenful Cleaning Solutions of South Florida

Zenful Cleaning Services has got your back! 

Are you ready to Detox your home? Well lets get to it. ;)  

The fact that we live in a world full of chemicals, pesticides, and other harmful substances can't be denied. Sure, we strive to eat good food and use natural cleaners, but what do we do about the unclean air and the unhealthy things that have already made their way into our homes and bodies?

Perhaps you live in the city with a lot of pollution or you have furniture and carpeting that may be off-gassing extra toxins into your home; what can be done about these?

Worrying about such things makes me want to head for the hills and build my own log cabin in the woods. This is not always feasible (although perhaps it can be in our long-term plans), so it's important to find other ways to cope.

Thankfully our bodies were created with natural detoxification systems and there is a lot we can do to enhance those systems.

Today we will look at a few simple ways to detoxify your home and body so you can feel comfortable and healthy in your home and world.

My goal here is not to provide extreme detoxification practices, but rather simple steps to help you gently detoxify on a daily basis.

1.) Plants

Scientific studies show that plants really do reduce toxins in the air. It's not just an old wives tale.

Pollutants such as formaldehyde, ammonia, and benzene are all absorbed by the humble plant (as are a number of less common contaminants). This is great news for those of us who spend a good deal of time indoors!

Some of the best plants for cleaning indoor air include:

• Ferns
• English Ivy
• Palms
• Ficus
• Peace Lily
• Chrysanthemums
• Spider Plants
• 
  

2.) Keep dust to a minimum

As a busy mom, I do find it difficult to keep up with dusting! Sigh. But the fact is, dust contains an array of toxins that are in easy-to-breathe form.  Yuck.

Mop wood floors on a regular basis (as regularly as you can, anyway) and wipe down furniture with a microfiber cloth.

3.) Eat lots of fresh vegetables (preferably organic)

Vegetables are an excellent source of antioxidants. The antioxidants found in vegetables have the job of removing an over-abundance of free radicals from the body.

Usually, the brighter and darker the vegetable's color, the higher amount of antioxidants it contains. Organic and locally grown vegetables are generally the richest sources of antioxidants.

Asparagus, kale, broccoli, tomatoes, spinach, carrots, and artichokes are all rich in antioxidants.

Bitter greens such as arugula, endive, dandelion greens and spinach increase bile flow which helps detoxify the liver (Source)Garlic is known to cleanse the blood. Add it freely to soups, stews, sauces, and even kale chips!

As a general rule, eating a wide variety (and decent amount) or vegetables on a daily basis is helpful in boosting your body's natural detoxification processes. Just another reason to eat more veggies!

4. Drink detoxifying beverages

A number of healthy beverages boost liver function, which in turn improves our body's ability to detoxify harmful substances.

Some of the most effective (and simple) detoxifying beverages are:

*Lemon water

• Begin the day by sipping on a glass of lemon water to kick-start your body's natural detoxifying processes. Simply mix the juice of half a lemon with 8 ounces of water and you're good to go.For more information see: Why You Should Drink Lemon Water First Thing in the Morning

• Probiotic beverages (such as Kefir and Kombucha)
  Also known as fermented beverages, drinks like Kombucha and Kefir help create a healthy inner ecosystem and detoxify the body.
  
  These drinks are relatively easy to make at home but are also readily available in many health food stores as well as some mainstream grocery stores.
• Dandelion Tea
  An herbal tea brewed from the leaves and/or roots of the dandelion plant is an effective detoxifier. (Don't worry, you can buy it in tea bag form!)
  In her book, 20, 000 Secrets of Tea, Victoria Zak explains it well:“Chronic conditions are treated with dandelion root. It removes pesticides, pollutants, contaminants, wastes, and toxins that collect in your joints. In turn, this helps prevent arthritic inflammations from toxins in joints, and cell damage from free radicals.”

  Buy dandelion tea at the health food store or make your own by pouring one cup of hot water over 1 teaspoon of dried dandelion leaves/roots. Leave for at least five minutes before straining out the herbs. Then drink.

  My favorite dandelion tea is this Roasted Dandelion Root from Traditional Medicinals.

Also, try these...

1. Open your windows on a daily basis. Recycling the air is so important!
2. Get rid of artificial air fresheners. Essential oils diffused into the air are a great alternative that smell wonderful.
3. Are you drinking enough water? Get a water filter system for your drinking water. 
4. Use a shower head water filter that will take out the chlorine and other harmful chemicals.
5. Use untreated fabrics as much as possible. Stain-resistant furniture's have volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde. The same is true for flame-retardant clothing, such as children pajamas. Look for tight-fitting pajamas that are not flame-retardant for your children.
6. If you dry clean your clothes, let them air out outside for a few hours before bringing them into the house.
7. Change your filters for your furnace and air conditioner often, and if possible upgrade to an allergy reduction filter.
8. Stop using dryer sheets. Wool dyer balls are an excellent, natural alternative.
9. Be on the look out for mold. Beware of areas in the home that may have too much moisture in the air and seek to control it. Use a dehumidifier for any area that you aren’t able to keep the relative humidity below 60%.
10. Add Himalayan Salt Lamps to as many rooms in your home as you can.
11. Use organic sheets and bedding, especially for babies and kids.
12. Use potted plants to help purify the air.
13. Use non-VOC paint.
14. Allow new products, such as stuffed furniture that may contain toxins, to off gas outside or in the garage for a few days before bringing into the house.
15. Use organic mattresses. If you can’t (they are very expensive), cover your regular mattresses with an organic mattress cover.
16. Clean your surfaces with antibacterial cloths, such as e-cloths and water.
17. Dust and vacuum often, as “dust bunnies” are found to be magnets for chemicals.
18. Seek out natural pest control methods rather than harsh, chemical-based pest control products.
19. Turn your phone to airplane mode when you sleep, especially if it’s in the same room with you.
20. Regularly vacuum your mattress and furniture.
21. Replace your pillows every five years.