If you are trying to get pregnant it is particularly important to reduce your exposure to toxins in your environment. If you have children, you want to protect them as much as possible. Don’t worry…..there’s a lot you can do. Here are some more easy ways to help keep you healthy:
Leave your shoes at the front door
Taking your shoes off when you get home can dramatically reduce the number of toxins in your home. Professional cleaners estimate that you can reduce levels of dust in your home by 50% and grime by 85% by simply taking off your shoes as you walk in the door. Not only will your home and carpets stay cleaner but this reduces the level of irritants, particularly important if you suffer from asthma or allergies. Also you won’t need to use as many cleaning products – which may also contain toxins.
When we walk around outside traces of heavy metals, such as lead, from pollution and even the soil build up on our shoes. If you have been for a walk on grass in the park pesticide residues and allergens such as pollen will be carried on your shoes into the house.
Toxic residues on floors and carpets are a particular risk for small children playing on floors and for pets. So put a shoe rack in the porch or inside the front door, kick off your shoes and enjoy a healthier home.
Cleanse the air with indoor plants
The air inside our homes is generally considered to be about five times more polluted than the air outside. Volatile organic vapours are released into the air from carpets, paint, furnishings, cosmetics and equipment. Carbon dioxide levels accumulate from use of gas cookers.
House plants absorb these air pollutants. A study by Wood et al in 2006 reported that the use of a few indoor potted plants can significantly reduce levels of these indoor pollutants. Having only three potted plants in your office or around the home can make a real difference. Plants such as peace lilies or spider plants are relatively inexpensive and easy to care for.
Don’t use candles …..unless they are made from beeswax
Candles have become synonymous with relaxation but candles are not a healthy way to relax. Most candles are made from paraffin. Paraffin is a toxic by product from petroleum refining. The original product is a dirty grey colour, so it is bleached creating toxic dioxins. Then it is dyed with chemical dyes and then fragranced, usually with toxic artificial fragrances. Mineral oils used to scent some candles are petrochemicals. Some of the toxic chemicals in candle smoke, such as benzene and toluene, are known to be carcinogenic to humans. In addition, many paraffin candles are made with a lead core or zinc core wick adding to the toxicity.
Some candle makers use essential oils. Essential oils have some wonderful therapeutic properties when vapourised in a warmer, but they may produce toxic chemicals when combusted (burned).
For more ways to keep your home healthy, see my blog
For information on Acupuncture for Fertility
Further Information
Many of these tips to help detoxify your home have been taken from the following sources:
Less Toxic Living. How to reduce your everyday exposure to toxic chemicals – an introduction for families. Kirsten McCulloch, Green Gables Press
The Healthy Home. Simple Truths to Protect Your Family From Hidden Household Dangers. Dr M Wentz & D Wentz, Vanguard Press
