How to Reduce Chemical Use in Your Home

• April 25, 2016

People are exposed to all kinds of chemicals everyday. From the food we eat to the way we clean our houses, chemicals have played an increasing role in our lives over the past few decades. However, reducing the levels of toxic chemicals in your home can improve the health of your family and the environment. Although it might seem like a passive decision, every time you choose to purchase a product you are contributing to the industry and its practices.

When purchasing a product there are some important things to keep in mind:

• Read the label: keep an eye out for dubious ingredients. There are warning signs that will tell you when a product might be unhealthy. Look for anything that contains warning signs such as caution, danger or poison. Choose the least hazardous products to use in your house.
• Carefully read the directions: follow the instructions described on the packaging. Don’t use too much – why increase the amount of chemicals used if it is unnecessary?
• Try to find cleaning products from plant-based or natural ingredients: look for cleaners that come from oils such as citrus, seed or pine. These are biodegradable and offer a natural and safer way of keeping things tidy.
• Opt for pump spray containers over aerosol: the aerosol spray requires pressurization, which produces a finer mist that is easily inhaled.
• Avoid bleached products: this is often seen in paper towels. These products often result in a lot of pollution during the manufacturing process.

Some tips for cleaning your house:

• There are a number of simple options to reducing the use of chemicals when cleaning your house: baking soda, lemon juice and vinegar can all be used for a number of household cleaning tasks.
• Purchase ethically sustainable and natural cleaning products