I hope this post finds you doing well during this really crazy season in ALL of our lives! I’m finding so many people posting things about wellness and unity and it is SO inspiring.! Months back I made the choice to live the most toxic free life that I can in my household and it is one of the best decisions I have ever made. Especially in light of everything going on in our world. The importance of taking care of your mind body and soul has never been more important. For me this “journey” really started for me after watching the Netflix documentary “Stink”. I literally felt sick to my stomach knowing that my own children were exposed to sooooo many toxins in our home-OUR HOME! Geese it hit me like a pile of bricks. I am so mad that some of these things are even allowed on store shelves! Our lifestyle has never been the healthiest but I did feel like I knew the “do’s and dont’s” of healthy living. Little did I know I really only scratched surface of it. I wanted to go into detail on the documentary I watched but honestly-you should watch it. You will thank me later. lol… Today I’m sharing 10 steps my family has taken to living in a toxic free home. 

1.Swap your Cleaning Supplies-

I have to admit it. Those organic looking labels totally had me thinking I was taking home a safe product. There are over 84,000 chemicals in the world of cleaning supplies and only around 200 have them have been tested by the FDA with only a few of them even regulated.! We have little oversight of the chemicals within our home and in the world of business and money, unfortunately many big companies are not looking out for our best interest. Be mindful about what you bring into your home. Use THINKDIRY app to scan your house products and get its rating. Some recommended brands for your home are Seventh Generation, Norwex, and biokleen. 

2.Replace Candles, Plug Ins and Air Fresheners. 

These synthetic fragrances and ingredients are some of the most toxic items found within the home. Choose natural options such as essential oil diffusers, homemade sprays made with essential oils, and beeswax or soy candles scented with oils.  Stop using synthetic fragrances for a toxin free home and opt for essential oils for scent instead. Our diffuser has been a great addition to our home. 

3.Ditch the Dryer Sheets. 

Many dryer sheets contain fragrance and other chemicals that can trigger asthma and disrupt hormones. In one study, researchers tested five name brand dryer sheets. The findings showed that the dryer sheets emitted 15 endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) and chemicals associated with asthma. Evidence from studies suggests that EDCs can affect developing reproductive and nervous systems, metabolism, and cancer.(source) Try wool dryer balls scented with essential oils (2-3 drops per ball)

4. Switch your Beauty & Skin Care Products. 

Now I have to be completely honest about this topic. I personally have dropped the ball when it comes to beauty and skin care lol… It’s so easy to get overwhelmed with finding the right toxic-free products that I opted out altogether for along time. ALL NATURAL (yikes lol). One trusted source is the EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database. Like the THINKDIRTY APP the database will return a rating and risk information for your product. The database also provides safer alternatives.

If you are not a super big Beaty guru like me (lol) and don’t mind testing out a few products, here are some highly rated brands.

Andalou

Avalon Organics

Beauty without Cruelty

Desert Essence

Dr. Bronner’s

Honeybee Gardens

Hugo’s Naturals

Juice Beauty

ShiKai Borage

5. Change your hand soap

A Triclosan-free soap is what you want. Read the label on your liquid hand soap. Does it contain Triclosan and triclocarban? They are antibacterial chemicals commonly added to consumer products. Studies show they disrupt hormones and can encourage the growth of drug-resistant bacteria or “superbugs.” (THEY ARE ALTERING YOUR VERY BEING! SCARY!)

6. Ditch your vinyl shower curtain. 

Plastic shower curtains made with Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) are toxic to your health.That odd smell coming from your curtain when it comes out of package- its a chemical. 

Compounds found on plastic curtains are shown to cause developmental damage as well as damage to the liver and central nervous, respiratory and reproductive systems.

This is not the only scary thing about owning a plastic shower curtain… I can go on… 

Your best bet is to look for shower curtains with a vinyl-free or PVC-free label or ones made of organic cotton. Side note: if possible, shop for mats made with silicone instead of vinyl. Trust me… 

7. Avoid non-stick cookware. 

Overheated non-stick cookware pans, pie tins, and cupcake tins, and cookie sheets can literally make you sick! It’s called Polymer Fume Fever in humans. These fumes are sometimes fatal to birds.

Get rid of the risk of fumes released by opting for these:

Stainless Steel (actually better for cooking than non-stick)

Cast Iron

Ceramic Baking Dishes

Glass Baking and Pie Dishes

8. Clean Your Fruits and Veggies

Remember that just because your produce is organic, doesn’t mean it’s free from germs, pinworms, and other icky stuff. In fact, if it’s locally grown without pesticides, that’s all the more reason to give them a good wash! My go to: https://www.youngliving.com/en_US/products/thieves-fruit-veggie-soak

9.NO SHOES POLICY

We enforce and no shoe past this point policy!  This way I know we are doing our best to reduce allergens and dust particles entering and circulating in out home. Keep a doormat near your doors and clean regularly, simple enough right 🙂 

10. Open your windows. 

One of the simplest things you can do to make your home healthier is to open your windows.

Indoor air is dirtier than outdoor air. EPA studies confirm that indoor air pollutants are typically 2-5 times higher than outdoor air.  Airing out your house periodically will improve the air you breathe and who doesn’t love a little fresh breeze?

The THINKDIRTY APP played a major role the first couple months of this journey before I decided to completely switch to YoungLiving products. Not only are they an essential oil line, they cary an awesome line of cleaning supplies, beauty products, health & fitness products and more… They eliminated the stress of finding the right products in stores and are a brand that I trust. Every month I get toxic free product straight to my doorstep. YESSSS! Feel free to reach out to me for more info on how to get started with YL. 

Id love to hear any changes you’ve decided to make after this or if there are any other tips you have for me that I can do in my home.