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3 Simple Steps to a Safer & Greener Home
By
Are you overwhelmed by all of the “green” talk these days? If so, you are among many people who don’t know where to begin “Going Green”. The best and most productive place to start is in your own home. There are lots of things in our homes that pollute the air we breathe- from inside our home and our outside environment. Never mind polluting our own bodies! Here are three simple steps to get you started on your safer and greener home journey.
Replace Regular Household Cleaners with HomeMade or “Green” Cleaning Products.
Many of the regular household cleaners that we may have in our home contain toxic chemicals, which actually pollute our homes. Here are some interesting facts I found on the website for “Women’s Voices For the Earth” (http://www.womenandenvironment.org)
* Most affected by these toxic chemicals are women & children
* Today, women are still doing 70% of the housework
* Children have less mature systems and are less able to tolerate toxins than adults
* Chemicals in the cleaners are sprayed into the air we breathe and are poured down the drain.
* Studies have shown that exposure to cleaning chemicals increases the chance of asthma
What can you do to eliminate these toxins and keep them out of your home? Start by changing the chemicals you use most to either “green” store bought cleaners or make them yourself. There are great homemade recipes on http://www.womenandenvironment.org. While you’re on their website, find out how you can host a “Green Cleaning Party”! This is a fun gathering where you and your friends can learn how to make non-toxic cleaners from common household ingredients.
Replace Aerosol Fragrances and Paraffin Candles with Natural Wax Candles and Scent Warmers.
The National Candle Association estimates that more than 7 million people in the US alone burn candles. Many of these candles are made from paraffin. According to an article by Vicki Elmore in the Healthy & Natural Journal, paraffin is a chemical we should avoid. The article provided these eye opening facts about paraffin:
* Paraffin is the final byproduct in the petroleum refining chain.
* The soot given off by burning paraffin candles is the same as that given off by burning diesel fuel.
* The toxins emitted from paraffin candles are some of the same air “contaminants” found in paint, lacquer & varnish removers.
In addition to the toxic chemicals released from the paraffin while it is burning, many of the candles on the market today contain lead core wicks. Instead of purchasing candles made with the paraffin wax, choose ones made from all natural vegetable wax & beeswax. Also choose candles that have 100% cotton wicks.
If you like to use aerosol fragrances to scent your home, here are some eye opening facts
* The ingredients in air fresheners may include ingredients such as formaldehyde, ethanol & naphthalene (to name a few).
* These chemicals are known carcinogens that may cause asthma and allergies
* These chemicals could also lead to cancer and birth defects (red flag to expectant moms!)
If you prefer to fragrance your home without using a flame, try using a flameless melting pot and melting wax tarts.
Use the safer plastics, “Five, Four, One and Two, the rest are bad for you”
If you have children in your home, it’s hard to imagine a world before plastic. However, some of the plastics you have in your home may be among the “bad for you” group (the numbers can be found on the bottom of the plastic product). Here are some facts about the use of plastics:
* Plastics numbered 3, 6 or 7 are the most toxic types of plastic.
* Water bottles that have been left in hot cars should be thrown out because heat emits the toxins in the plastic.
* Food bought at the grocery store could be packaged in one of the harmful types of plastics.
* The heat from the microwave multiplies the harmful effects of the toxins in the plastics in contact with the food/beverage.
To begin eliminating these “bad” plastics from your home, start small. Start with replacing your plastic water bottles with a stainless steel version or a BPA free plastic version. If you have children, replace a few of their plastic toys with wooden ones, such as plastic blocks. When microwaving food, use wax paper or a paper towel instead of plastic wrap and use a glass or ceramic dish to hold the food or beverage. You can hand wash your plastic dishes to make them last longer. A great resource for additional information about the use of plastics in your home is www.healthychild.org
Start implementing these three ways to “green-up” your home today. Even if it is just one thing at a time, you will be on your way to having a healthier, greener home for you and your whole family.
If you’d like additional resources on other ways to make your home a “Greener” place, check out these websites:
www.safecosmetics.com
About the Author:
Jamie Nadeau is the owner of a gourmet home fragrance business. Visit her website, www.BurninForCandles.com, for more information on creating a “greener” home with fragrances.
You did your research.
This is a helpful article. A couple years ago, my husband & I converted over to all glass containers in our kitchen. We use glass for storing/reheating foods. We’re also aware of the “safe” plastics and always look at the tiny triangle on the bottom of a plastic bottle to see if it’s safe to consume the food/drink inside.
On one shopping trip, I picked up a bottle of cooking oil that was on my grocery list. I turned it over and saw it was in a #7 bottle — needless to say I returned that oil to the shelf and bought another brand in a safe container.
Yes, I really enjoyed doing the research for this article. It opened my eyes and I have since started implementing the 3 steps I outlined in the article.
I, like you was very surprised about food we purchase in the stores being sold & stored in the bad plastics. So, I too have started buying food sold in the safer plastics.
Not only have I eliminated most plastics in my house. I’ve converted over to green cleaners and personal care products for my family. There’s so much toxicity in the air in our homes that is harmful to our children, these green cleaners eliminate those toxins in our home.
Thanks for writing and sharing this article. We moms must take charge of the toxins that we bring into our homes, we need to eliminate them for the health of our families.