{"id":9214,"date":"2025-09-08T12:32:23","date_gmt":"2025-09-08T16:32:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/valuecare.wpgamma.com\/?p=9214"},"modified":"2025-09-08T12:32:23","modified_gmt":"2025-09-08T16:32:23","slug":"how-to-reduce-toxic-exposure-in-your-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/valuecare.wpgamma.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/08\/how-to-reduce-toxic-exposure-in-your-home\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Reduce Toxic Exposure in Your Home"},"content":{"rendered":"<header><\/header>\n<div class=\"post-meta\"><\/div>\n<section class=\"entry\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-162390\" title=\"How to Reduce Toxic Exposure in Your Home\" src=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20140920120543im_\/http:\/\/www.natural-holistic-health.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/reduce-toxic-exposure-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"How to Reduce Toxic Exposure in Your Home\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" \/>Now that we\u2019ve covered how\u00a0<a title=\"26 \u2018Oh My Gawd\u2019 Facts About Your Toxic World Read More of This Article Here: http:\/\/www.natural-holistic-health.com\/26-facts-about-your-toxic-world\/\" href=\"\/26-facts-about-your-toxic-world\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">chemical and environmental toxicity is all around us<\/a>, and especially in our homes, let\u2019s take a look at some simple ways we can can reduce the amount of toxins we\u2019re exposed to at home.To\u00a0<a href=\"\/recommends\/DetoxDrops\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">detoxify<\/a>\u00a0your home, properly dispose of all cleaners that you suspect are toxic, or if the label says \u201cWarning,\u201d \u201cDanger,\u201d or \u201cPoison.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Do not dispose of them down the drain or in the garbage; your local Department of Public Works can tell you where to take these hazardous household wastes.<\/p>\n<h3>Purchasing Non-Toxic Cleaners<\/h3>\n<p>When you buy new cleaning products, look for manufacturers who list their natural ingredients on the label and purchase cleaners containing non-petroleum-based surfactants, that are chlorine and phosphate free, that claim to be \u201cnon-toxic,\u201d and that are biodegradeable.<\/p>\n<p>Awareness of this issue is growing, and product lines of environmentally sound cleaning products (such as\u00a0<a href=\"\/recommends\/MyCleaningProducts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">My Cleaning Products<\/a>) are available in natural food stores, many commercial supermarkets and online.<\/p>\n<p>A note of caution: Some cleaners may advertise that they are \u201cenvironmentally safe\u201d but will fail to provide a full list of ingredients. Remember, the manufacturer that gives you the most information about its product is usually the one you can trust.<\/p>\n<p>You can also\u00a0<a title=\"Clean and Green Part I\" href=\"\/clean-and-green-part-i\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">make your own non-toxic mixtures<\/a>\u00a0from common household ingredients to help accomplish tasks around the house.<\/p>\n<h3>Cautions When Mixing Your Own Cleaning Agents<\/h3>\n<p>Although the following suggested mixtures have few hazardous ingredients than many commercial cleaners and pesticides, they should be used and stored with similar caution. DO NOT mix anything with a commercial cleaning agent.<\/p>\n<p>If you do store a homemade mixture, make sure it is properly labeled and do not store it in a container that could be mistaken for food or beverage. When preparing alternatives, mix only what is needed for the job at hand and mix them in clean, reusable containers.<\/p>\n<h3>Homemade Cleaner Ideas to Get You Started<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Sponges<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If you use sponges to clean any part of your home, make sure they are pure cellulose sponges that are not treated with a synthetic disinfectant. Most sponges sold in U.S. supermarkets these days are saturated with triclosan or other synthetic disinfectants and are easy to distinguish because of their packaging which claims the sponge \u201ckills odors\u201d or \u201cresists odors\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>In reality, a disinfectant-laden sponge is ineffective at sterilizing countertops or other surfaces. The disinfectant simply gives you a \u201cgerm-free\u201d sponge. This, in and of itself, is not a bad thing. Sponges by nature are perfect breeding grounds for germs since they are a moist, warm habitat and come into close and frequent contact with bacteria when wiping up spills, meat juices, etc.<\/p>\n<p>However, the disinfectants used in these sponges may help contribute to the evolution of drug-resistant \u201csuper germs\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>It is easy to keep pure, cellulose sponges germ-free by boiling them in a pot of water for 3-5 minutes or tossing them in the top rack of the dishwasher with your next load of dishes. Pure cellulose sponges can be found in natural food stores and hardware stores.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Cleaning Your Oven<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Baking soda and water are excellent for cleaning the oven. Sprinkle a cup or more of baking soda over the bottom of the oven, then cover the baking soda with enough water to make a thick paste. Let the mixture set overnight.<\/p>\n<p>The next morning the grease will be easy to wipe up because the grime will be loosened. When you have cleaned up the worst of the mess, dab a bit of liquid detergent or soap on a sponge, and wash the remaining residue from the oven.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Clogged Drains<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Products for unclogging drains are some of the most dangerous ones found in the typical home. You\u2019re better off with an ounce of prevention: Use a drain catch or screen to keep hair and food from clogging pipes, and periodically pour boiling water down the drain.<\/p>\n<p>If you do get a clog, pour 1\/2 to 1 cup of baking soda down the drain and then slowly pour 1\/2 to 1 cup of vinegar in after it. Cover the drain and let it sit for 15 minutes. It might bubble up like a volcano, but that just means it\u2019s working. Finish by flushing the drain with a gallon of boiling water. For tougher clogs, use a plumber\u2019s snake.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Furniture Polish<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Mix 1 teaspoon of lemon juice in 1 pint of mineral or vegetable oil. Apply a small amount to a clean cotton cloth and wipe wooden parts of furniture.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Rug Deodorizer<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Deodorize dry carpets by sprinkling liberally with baking soda. Wait at least 15 minutes and vacuum. Repeat if necessary.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Silver Polish<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Boil 2-3 inches of water in a shallow pan with 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of baking soda and a sheet of aluminum foil. Totally submerge the silver and boil for 2-3 minutes more. Remove silver from the pan and wipe away tarnish with a clean cotton cloth.<\/p>\n<p>Repeat if necessary. (Do not use this method with antique silver knives. The blade may separate from the handle.) Another alternative is to use non-abrasive toothpaste.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ants<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In a bowl, mix one cup\u00a0<a href=\"\/recommends\/StarWestBotanicals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">borax<\/a>, one cup sugar, and three cups water. Place a loose wad of toilet paper into four different screw-top jars that are about the size of shallow chip dip or marinated artichoke jars. Pour the mixture into the jars until it is about one inch from the top.<\/p>\n<p>Screw the lids on the jars, and with a hammer and nail, make four to eight holes in the lid. Place the jars in areas where you have ants, and watch them line up in rows and march in. Keep away from children.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Plant Sprays<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>To rid your plants of many common pests, gently wipe leave with a solution of mild soap and water. Or mix the solution in a spray bottle and spray leaves and stems.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Moths<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Use cedar chips or a sachet with any or all of the following;\u00a0<a href=\"\/recommends\/StarWestBotanicals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">lavender<\/a>\u00a0flowers,\u00a0<a href=\"\/recommends\/StarWestBotanicals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">rosemary<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"\/recommends\/StarWestBotanicals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">mint<\/a>, and white peppercorns.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Fleas and Ticks<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Put brewer\u2019s yeast or garlic in your pet\u2019s food; sprinkle\u00a0<a href=\"\/recommends\/StarWestBotanicals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">fennel<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"\/recommends\/StarWestBotanicals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">rue<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"\/recommends\/StarWestBotanicals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">rosemary<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"\/recommends\/StarWestBotanicals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">eucalyptus<\/a>\u00a0seeds or leaves around your animal\u2019s sleeping areas.<\/p>\n<p>There are many more natural cleaners that you can make to help you keep your home sparkling and toxin free. We have a pretty comprehensive list here:\u00a0<a title=\"Clean and Green Part I\" href=\"\/clean-and-green-part-i\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Clean and Green<\/a>, and we highly recommend Annie Berthold-Bond\u2019s book:\u00a0<a title=\"\" href=\"\/http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/The-Green-Kitchen-Handbook-Transforming\/dp\/0060951869?SubscriptionId=AKIAINQW6FGHX4NEZT6A&#038;tag=naturalpethea-20&#038;link_code=as3&#038;creative=373489&#038;camp=211189\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">The Green Kitchen Handbook<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 Practical advice, References, and sources for Transforming the Center of Your Home into a Healthful, Livable Place.<\/p>\n<h3>Naturally\u00a0<a href=\"\/recommends\/DetoxDrops\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Detoxify<\/a>\u00a0Your Body<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20140920120543\/http:\/\/www.natural-holistic-health.com\/recommends\/DetoxDrops\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Detox Drops<\/a>\u00a0is a natural, safe and effective liquid herbal formula that is especially formulated to cleanse and\u00a0<a href=\"\/recommends\/DetoxDrops\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">detoxify<\/a>\u00a0the system, rejuvenate liver functioning, eliminate bloating and kick-start your body back to life!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"\/recommends\/DetoxDrops\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Detox Drops<\/a>\u00a0assist in the elimination of toxins in the body; improve liver functioning; stimulate bile production and the breakdown of dietary fat; boost the effectiveness of Weight Management Programs;\u00a0<a href=\"\/recommends\/FatigueFighter\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">increase energy<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"\/recommends\/VitaliTonic\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">stamina<\/a>; reduce feelings of fatigue and listlessness; improve skin condition and improve the body\u2019s ability to fight disease by facilitating immune functioning.<\/p>\n<p>Formulated by our team of experts in natural medicine,\u00a0<a href=\"\/recommends\/DetoxDrops\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Detox Drops<\/a> is pharmaceutically manufactured to the highest standards.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p>Read More of This Article Here:\u00a0<a href=\"\/http:\/\/www.natural-holistic-health.com\/how-to-reduce-toxic-exposure-home\/\">http:\/\/www.natural-holistic-health.com\/how-to-reduce-toxic-exposure-home\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Now that we\u2019ve covered how\u00a0chemical and environmental toxicity is all around us, and especially in our homes, let\u2019s take a look at some simple ways we can can reduce the amount of toxins we\u2019re exposed to at home.To\u00a0detoxify\u00a0your home, properly dispose of all cleaners that you suspect are toxic, or if the label says \u201cWarning,\u201d [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9214","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-home-and-family"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/valuecare.wpgamma.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9214","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/valuecare.wpgamma.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/valuecare.wpgamma.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/valuecare.wpgamma.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/valuecare.wpgamma.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9214"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/valuecare.wpgamma.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9214\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/valuecare.wpgamma.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9214"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/valuecare.wpgamma.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9214"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/valuecare.wpgamma.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9214"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}