Where to start
If you want to ensure that your home is free of toxins, you should first have the water and air in your home analyzed to determine if there are any dangerous pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, radon and lead. This is especially important if you live in an older home or near an area with a lot of industry. To help ensure your safety, use air and water purifiers, as well.
Quite simply, toxin-free living is avoiding the use of chemical products in daily life. Not only does this include products used at home and work, it also covers food. An easy way to start is to eat organic food and ensure that the air in your home is chemical free.
Household Products
Using all-natural cleansers is a critical part of a toxin-free lifestyle, because chemicals can be inhaled or absorbed through your skin while you’re cleaning. Household products are among the most toxic substances we encounter on a daily basis. Avoid products with chlorine, lye and ammonia. Instead, use baking soda, white vinegar, borax, lemon juice, olive oil, alcohol and salt.
There are dozens of cleaning product recipes, most of them involve some combination of the following five ingredients that can be safely mixed together. Store mixtures in spray bottles and label them. Here are some good recipes you might want to try:
Lemon-scented all-purpose cleaner
1 tbsp borax, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 cup hot water
Mix ingredients in spray bottle (the lemon scent lingers). Use for cleaning bathroom and kitchen surfaces, as well as other water-safe surfaces. Discard any remaining cleaner and make a fresh batch next time.
Toilet bowl cleaner
1 cup white vinegar, 1/2 cup baking soda
Pour the vinegar directly into the toilet bowl and let stand for 30 minutes. Sprinkle baking soda onto toilet brush and scour. To keep bowl fresh, pour 1 cup of vinegar into the toilet bowl once a month and let stand overnight. Alternatively, pour 1 cup of borax into the toilet bowl before going to bed; in the morning, scrub and flush.
Glass Cleaner
1 part white vinegar, 1 part alcohol, 1 part water
Mix in a spray bottle and use to clean windows or any other glass, chrome and stainless steel surfaces and tile.
Furniture polish
1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup white vinegar, 2 tsp lemon juice
Mix in spray bottle. Spray liberally on wood surfaces and wipe dry.
Drain Opener
1-1/2 cups white vinegar, 2 tbsp baking soda
Pour the ingredients into the clogged drain. Wait 5 min, and turn on the hot water. Repeat if necessary
Polishing silver
Line a glass pan or pot with tinfoil; add 1 tablespoon or 2 of baking soda and salt. Pour in boiling water. Leave silverware to soak. Polish with toothpaste and rinse.
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