Even if you exercise regularly, go for walks, and eat healthy and nutritious food, you still cannot say you are living a healthy lifestyle. This might come as a shock to you but it cannot change the fact that our homes are refuge to a lot of toxic objects that we are too naïve to notice. They are so important for us that our lives depend on them even though they are causing our slow death. Which is exactly the meaning of a lifestyle — the whole picture, not just one little bit of it. 

Today, I am listing a few of these items that are highly harmful to your health. So, remove them from your home today to genuinely live a healthy lifestyle.

9 things you should toss to detoxify your home

1. Plastic food jars, bottles, and plastic wraps

Plastic is a slow-ticking bomb. Yet unfortunately, it has seeped into our lifestyle in such a way that

Nature Bee Wraps
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eliminating it requires us to make a lot of sacrifices.

Nevertheless, it cannot change the fact that eliminating plastic is necessary not only for our environment but our family’s health. It is made from harmful chemicals such as phthalates that can cause reproductive and, neurological damage in our system. In addition, food and water when stored in plastic can facilitate the release of such chemicals into these consumable items.

You can go for these alternatives instead – Glass containers, steel/copper bottles, and beeswax wrap. If you want to switch to beeswax wrap, we use Nature Bee Wraps  in our home and love the way they work! 

2. Non-stick pans

Non-stick pans can definitely make your lives easy given that you do not have to scratch and rub food off the

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The pan that does it all! The Our Place pan. Click to shop

pan’s surfaces. But it might be a piece of fresh news to you that some non-stick pans when exposed to high temperatures can release toxic gases and chemicals. (These chemicals lie in the coating of such pans.)

Thankfully, there are a bunch of non-toxic non-stick pans available in the market. You just have to do your research well before you shop. Check out this post if you are in the market for some better-quality non-toxic pans. 

3. Perfumes and deodorants

Perfumes and deodorants might solve your odor issues and give out a therapeutic fragrance but they are not

good for your skin at all. They can cause a lot of dermatological issues, to begin with – skin darkening, and redness, and irritation. Additionally, they contain harmful chemicals such as aluminum, parabens, Propylene Glycol, Benzyl Alcohol, that are toxic for you when inhaled, especially if you have asthma. 

You can look for organic alternatives to protect yourself from the harmful effects. Essential oils make great alternatives, but make sure you are using the best quality, like those available here. If you are looking for a good alternative for deodorant, this specific one is free from harmful chemicals. Other scents in their product line are made with Propylene Glycol, so be on the lookout for that. This is the exact brand and kind I use on a daily basis as well as what I have Leila using now that puberty is starting. It works equally as well for both of us. 

4. Fabric softeners

Fabric softeners do have one benefit but against a hundred stumbling blocks.  They are composed of

quaternary ammonium salts that can cause various skin problems – primarily skin irritation, redness; in addition to respiratory issues and migraines.

You can use vinegar as an alternative. Use it as a final rinse for your laundry after diluting it in water.

The same can be said for the static sheets you put in the dryer with the clothes. If you want to still use something similar, grab wool balls and put a few drops of Essential Oils on them for the scent you are looking for and static relief.

5. Bug sprays and mosquito repellents

Bug sprays and mosquito sprays are some of the most toxic things you can provide shelter to. It contains harmful chemicals that can be disastrous for you when inhaled. Additionally, according to scientific research, it can also cause cancer and various neurological effects in children.

You can switch to a homemade bug spray using ingredients such as 3-5 drops each of citronella, lemongrass, peppermint, and lavender.

6. Whitener Pen

The closest we have come to erasing pen inks is a whitener pen – considering it’s just a makeshift, not a reliable solution. Nonetheless, whitener pens are extremely toxic. One can easily see it for themselves when they breathe in the highly addicting smell. Inhaling whiteners is 300 times more harmful than alcohol; it can have adverse effects on the nervous system and can obstruct the functioning of the lungs, brain, and kidneys.

7. Shampoos with parabens and sulfates

The beauty and cosmetic fraternity are growing conscious of the harmful effects of parabens and sulfates on

hair health and overall health. They have been known to increase the chances of cancer – as they imitate estrogen hormone leading to the growth of cancer cells.

Having said that, consider going for sulfate and paraben-free shampoos. Don’t be fooled by the marketing labels, read the ingredients list to check. You can also make your homemade shampoos to avoid damage.

If you are looking for a new line, which is free from most chemicals, check out R+Co. They are the line I use on my hair as well as that of my girls. They do a great job, don’t add extra weight or build up on the hair, and last quite a long time for their price.

8. Laundry detergents and cleaning products

Bleach, carpet cleaner, dishwashing detergent, tile cleaner, toilet cleaner – basically all sorts of cleaners and detergents have harmful chemicals such as Diethanolamine, Fragrance, Petroleum distillates, DEA/TEA, ammonia, phosphates, to name a few.

You can instead make use of natural cleaning agents such as baking soda, white vinegar, and lemon to achieve your desired cleaning results.

9. Candles

Lighting candles might be a god-sent for stress and anxiety but they are harmful to you in numerous ways. It can not only cause cancer when inhaled but paraffin wax, used in most candles, can produce highly toxic benzene and toluene when burned.

Ergo you can go for fragrance-free soy candles. If you do want fragrance, consider going for electric diffusers. If you want to purchase high quality oils for your diffusers, here’s a link to get what we use in our home and consider the best. 

Finally,

Didn’t it come as a surprise to you? Did you know that these items were so harmful to you and your family’s health? Nevertheless, there’s no point in regretting now, it’s never too late to make a change. We have recently learned that our environment here in Arizona is becoming worse and worse for allergies, and will know what everyone is allergic to inside and outside and much of this listed above we will finally eliminate for good so we can have an easier time when the outdoors start affecting us. I hope you will consider these eliminations for you and your family’s sake! 

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