DETOXING YOUR HOME for healthy hormones, enhanced fertility, pregnancy and baby care

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1 DETOXING YOUR HOME for healthy hormones, enhanced fertility, pregnancy and baby care Adapted by Angela Hywood ND 2012 THE BATHROOM Bathroom cleaners use toxins and harsh chemicals to get the job done, but can cause irritation to your skin and respiratory system, as well as cause significant damage to the environment, in the process. Luckily, a host of products is increasingly available that are kinder to your home, health, children (in the making) and our planet. It's time to start making conscious and educated choicesstart overhauling your home and supplies! Replace either the cleaner that you use the most, or the one that you're closest to running out of and look for brands that list all of their ingredients on the label. Make your granny proud! With common household ingredients and a little elbow grease, you can get that porcelain sparkling to an all-natural shine. Spray the surface of sinks, tubs and toilets, for instance, with diluted vinegar or lemon juice; leave it for half an hour, then scrub. Remove lime scale by soaking your showerhead in white vinegar for an hour, or whip up a simple mixture of baking soda, liquid castile soap (Dr. Bronner's) and a touch of scented essential oil to create a simple, all natural bathtub cleaner. Clove oil is the ultimate non-toxic mould buster for bathroom walls and any household damp. Conserve precious water Lots of options help you conserve water in the bathroom. An inexpensive but effective choice is a low-flow faucet aerator, which can be installed on your existing tap. It mixes air into flowing water, thereby reducing water consumption by up to 70%. We live in a water conscious country, so do your bit! Low-flow faucets and showerheads also reduce water use without sacrificing comfort. You will 1 P a g e

2 save energy and money. Consider installing a chlorine filter on your showerhead. Toxic chlorine is inhaled into your lungs and saturates your skin while you shower or bathe. Did you know that chlorine also causes skin allergies and dermatitis? If your skin is sensitive, a chlorine filter will help enormously. Check out The Water Shop ( for some great ideas. Kill the mould Mould can quickly become a problem if leaky taps and pipes are left unchecked. Rising damp is a problem in many humid states in Australia. Mould can be not only be structurally damaging and unsightly, it can also cause or aggravate allergies, asthma and other health problems. So, the first order of business is to stop the problem at its source, by fixing any leaks. Fight any nasty growth with tea tree oil and clove oil, a natural way to fight bacteria and mould. Wipe down any mouldy surfaces with a rag saturated in a tea tree-clove oil combination, then each week, spray the surfaces with a solution of 10% clove oil to 50% vinegar and 50% water solution. How safe is your personal care and make up? Make up, skincare and grooming products can actually contain small amounts of toxic materials such as formaldehyde, sodium lauryl sulfate, fluoride and mercury. While these are deemed safe for use in small quantities, their effects on our bodies over time can lead to toxicity and subtle health problems. To preserve your health and natural beauty, choose grooming products such as shampoo and body washes made from organic and plant-based ingredients instead of synthetic chemicals and avoid anything with "fragrance" or "perfume." To dig deeper into this topic, go to - How to Green Women's Personal Care and the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep cosmetics database ( We recommend: Skin Care: Antipodes from NZ, Dr.Hauschka ( Kora Organics (the skin care of the lovely and fabulous Miranda Kerr Melrose ( and A kin ( 2 P a g e

3 Personal care: Dr Bronner ( mineral deodorant sticks, A kin personal care products Sanitary: Tom Organics ( or Naturacare organic tampons and pads. Remember, when that baby comes along baby wipes and nappies need to be chemical free too! Your Pearly Whites Choose toothpaste and mouth wash that is fluoride free. Fluoride competes with iodine for absorption and can lead to iodine deficiency. Iodine is one of the most important minerals for DNA health, pregnancy and healthy bright babies. Studies have shown that over 70% of Australian school children are iodine deficient. Is toothpaste dumbing down our kids and making us less fertile? YES! Swap to Grants fluoride free toothpaste and use a simple remedy of two drops of tea tree oil or 1 ml of Echinacea extract in water as a mouthwash. Fluoride is a natural trace element. We get plenty of natural fluoride in fruit, vegetables and salads, your teeth will get ample amount to maintain your enamel, just through food! Many states in the USA are now opting NOT to fluoridate the tap water, due to the increasing associated health concerns. Make sure that your diet is rich in iodine as this will offset any health detriments associated with fluoride. So, eat up lots of seaweed and sea vegetables! THE LAUNDRY Doing the laundry should be all about getting clean with green! Our tips for kinder, gentler laundry, which are as gentle on your delicates as they are on the planet, while still getting the job done with ease. Clothes washing detergents and fabric softener Eco-friendly detergents are gentler on the world outside, kinder to tender skin and can help extend the life of your clothes. Look for products that are all natural, readily biodegradable and free of phosphates, which can cause algal blooms that can effectively choke the aquatic 3 P a g e

4 ecosystems. Choosing concentrated and powdered detergents helps reduces the carbon footprint. Check out EcoStore ( and Method ( Don't reach for bleach Whiter whites are dreamy, but the chlorine in conventional bleach products is a harmful respiratory irritant and reproductive toxin. Non-chlorine bleaches, often called "oxygen bleaches," from brands such as EcoStore ( and Method ( are readily available and really do work. Or, take a DIY approach: You can add half a cup borax to the wash load. Get a clothes line A typical clothes dryer costs over $100 a year to run and racks up hundreds of kilos of carbon emissions. Line drying, on the other hand, costs nothing to either you or the planet. Plus, air dried clothes never suffer from static cling. Use common scents Dryer fabric softener and scented dryer sheets, new to the Australian market, contain chemicals that are suspected carcinogens, but it is easy to reduce your exposure to these toxins and still get fresh smelling laundry. Simply opt for homemade sachets that can be tossed in with the wash or placed on a closet shelf. Adding half a cup of vinegar during the rinse cycles also does the trick and adding a few drops of lavender, lemon and/or geranium oil to the rinse can help make things smell dreamy. Ditch your dry cleaner Most dry-cleaners rely on perchloroethylene, "perc" for short, which has been linked to cancer, sub fertility and various other diseases. The good news: even if the label on your clothes says, "dry clean only," gentle hand washing is actually OK for most garments, even delicates such as wool, cashmere and silk. In fact, dry-cleaning delicate fabrics shortens their lifespan. Some eco-friendly dry cleaners now use silicone solvent-based or liquid CO2 cleaning methods, which are healthier alternatives. 4 P a g e

5 THE LIVING ROOM Off Gassing and Chemicals Most of us think of our homes as sanctuaries from the hectic and toxic world beyond our front doors. But indoor air pollution can actually be several times worse than that outside. Why? Because things like furniture are made from particle board and medium-density fiberboard (MDF), carpets with PVC backing and varnishes full of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can off-gas chemicals such as formaldehyde and benzene. You can improve your indoor air quality, without replacing your décor, by keeping rooms properly ventilated and opening windows from time to time. Regularly cleaning or replacing air-conditioner and heater filters, and keeping air ducts clear is another effective step in removing pollutants such as bacteria, mould, viruses and pollen from indoor air, while helping keep equipment working at maximum efficiency. Another simple tip: remove shoes at the door, which means you will track fewer toxins throughout the house. Air freshener Air fresheners (actually, almost anything with artificial fragrances) are likely to contain phthalates, a group of chemicals often used to "fix" scents or make them stay put. To freshen your home naturally, choose all-natural, hypoallergenic products packaged in non-aerosol containers, such as citrus sprays. You can also make your own room scent by simply filling a mister bottle with water and a few drops of essential oil, or by placing sweet-smelling cut flowers in a vase. If you like to use scented candles, opt for petroleum-free versions made from beeswax or soy wax. Get the lead out Lead is a commonplace and dangerous neurotoxin that can be found in paint, in many houses. As it chips and chafes from walls, windowsills, woodwork and other surfaces it can get into dust from which it can more easily enter our bodies. That goes especially for little ones, whose immune systems are not as tough. Learn how to detect lead paint or have your home professionally tested, then, if necessary, have the paint removed by a lead-abatement specialist. Whether you have got a lead problem or not, when it comes time to repaint walls, look for low-voc paints, which 5 P a g e

6 contains much fewer of the chemicals responsible for health problems, which range from headaches to cancer. Toxins in the floor coverings Wall-to-wall carpeting can be a source of mould, dust mites and other allergens, as well as VOCs from plastic backings. If you have the option, opt for wood or bamboo floors (ideally the wood will come from sustainably managed sources) treated with a nontoxic finish, cork, which has natural antibacterial properties and comes from a renewable resources, as well as linoleum (lino), which is made from linseed oil, are other good choices. For added coziness, rugs made from wool, cotton, hemp, or jute add warmth but are easy to clean without chemical cleaners. Radon Alert! To further ensure a healthy indoor environment test your home for radon, a radioactive gas. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that one out of every 15 American homes has elevated levels of radon. To make sure yours does not, purchase an inexpensive do-it-yourself radon testing-kit from any hardware store or hire a qualified radon tester. Frighteningly, radon toxicity has been linked to leukemia in children. THE NURSERY Dress organically While the pesticides used to grow conventional cotton will not rub off onto your baby's skin, you can rest easier knowing that organic fabrics have done less harm to our fledgling planet. Fixatives that make clothing wrinkle-free, stain-resistant, or flame-retardant, however, may affect your baby s health. For these reasons, baby gear made from hemp, organic Merino wool and organic cotton are preferable ecochoices, while fair-trade clothes ensure your clothes were made for kids, not by kids. Safe play Not all toys that seem cute are safe. Take the good old rubber ducky, for example, which can pack a toxic punch if it contains PVC and no one can forget the lead-paint scare. To make sure they are not harmful, look for labels that claim playthings are PVC-free and nontoxic and learn how to make sure that the toys you bring home are toxin-free. We also like wood toys with non-toxic finishes, which not only have old-timey 6 P a g e

7 charm, but also last forever. Check out TreeHugger's guide on How to Green Your Kids Toys ( Decorate with care As in the rest of house, decorating a nursery or playroom with green, natural materials will keep your little one's indoor environment safe. To start, forego wall-to-wall carpets in favor of hardwood or cork flooring and area rugs, and add color with low-voc paints. To avoid exposure to formaldehyde and other VOCs, pass over conventional pressed-wood furnishings made from materials such as MDF or plywood. Solid wood trumps the cheap stuff every time, second-hand stuff is a great idea as well. You can throw on a new coat of non-toxic finish to spruce up older pieces. Food for thought Who wants to spend time worrying about whether their baby's food is filled with refined sugars, genetically modified substances, chemicals, preservatives or artificial additives and persistent organic pollutants (POPS!)? Instead, know exactly what your little munchkin is eating by making your own baby food from organic fruit and vegetables. It is a snap and I promise it will not take any longer than it would to vet what is on the ingredients list of that store bought container. Special equipment includes a cooking-blender, ice-cube trays and glass containers. Check out ThermoMix ( Safe sipping Dummies (pacifiers), bottles and sippy cups. Much of the current debate hovers around a chemical called bisphenol A or BPA, which may leach from plastic into liquids and disrupt normal hormone function. Look for bottles made without BPA or made from glass, although anyone who has seen a raging two year old toss his milk across the room know this is not always the most feasible choice. This was until a Californian mum, with a design background, started making glass bottles with silicon sleeves, which you can find at LifeFactory ( To further protect your little angel, opt for bacteria-resistant silicone nipples and never PVC. 7 P a g e

8 THE BEDROOMS Sleep easier For over five years now, all mattresses sold in the USA, UK and Australia are required to meet stringent fire safety tests. While fire retardants serve the very important purposes of reducing risks associated with fire, some, such as boric acid and antimony, have been identified as carcinogens. Greener mattress makers opt for materials such as natural latex, wool and melamine, which reduce exposure to toxins and avoid stain- and water-repellent finishes, which can be sources of formaldehyde. They may cost more, but trust me, you and your family will sleep a lot more soundly. If you want to make bedtime safer, but are not ready to invest in a new mattress, a hypoallergenic cover can create an added barrier between you and what you are sleeping on. Furnishings Materials such as varnishes, finishes, particle board and MDF in many furnishings can off-gas volatile organic compounds which can cause poor indoor air quality and are associated with health problems such as eye and skin irritation, respiratory problems, headaches, nausea and liver and kidney damage. To keep your interior up to snuff, look for furnishings made from solid wood or that use low-voc materials and finishes. Get better linens and things Cotton is the world's most-sprayed crop when it comes to pesticides and while those toxins will not likely rub off on your skin, keeping them out of the ground makes a big difference in eco-systems where the crop is grown. Luckily, organic cotton sheets are increasingly easy to find, as are eco-friendly pillows stuffed with buckwheat or natural latex. Cozy and warm Bedtime should be all about getting snuggly, so throw an extra blanket on that bed and then turn down the heat a few degrees before hitting the sack in winter, which will help you save energy and a few dollars on your bills. Worried about waking up to a chilly house? Using a programmable heater, which works like a timer, means you can get your house all toasty again before morning. Electric blankets emit radiation that can adversely affect your fertility and immune health. Go back to a good old-fashioned feather doona or woollen blankets with a hot water bottle, it is far more romantic and cuddly! 8 P a g e

9 Candles in the house Everyone knows that cigarette smoke clogs up the air, but most people don't consider the soot that traditional paraffin candles spit out. If you love the mood of a dimly lit room, but dislike the idea of compromising your health, soy or beeswax candles, which are virtually free from soot and toxins, offer a terrific alternative. Look for varieties scented with essential oil and those that have wicks containing no metals. THE KITCHEN Consider the health of your kitchen by removing some everyday kitchen products and replacing them with safer alternatives (even if you do this over time). Many of the products that I recommend you remove have a negative impact on your endocrine system, central nervous system and reproductive system. Lower the stress with these top swaps to reduce the chemical load in your kitchen. 1. Replace synthetic food dyes: Switch to natural food colours for baking, etc. Benefit = calmer kids! 2. Replace plastic: Package food in glass and skip containers #3, #6 and #7 by understanding kitchen plastic. Look for PCB free plastic or buy Pyrex glass to store food in- glass if much safer, more sterile and easier to clean. Ditch the cling film. The more flexible the plastic, the more dangerous it is (ie higher phthalate content). 3. Replace Teflon-coated cookware. For healthier options choose stainless steel, glass, or porcelain-coated pans. Trash the Teflon. 4. Replace disinfectants. Check your soap, sponges and sprays to see if they are made with triclosan or other synthetic disinfectants. Go instead for natural soap with antibacterial essential oils. 5. Replace pesticides. Avoid any and all-synthetic pesticides or pesticide servicing for integrated pest management and choose non-toxic alternatives. Make sure you have a fruit and vegie rinse (ie white vinegar) to wash the surface agricultural chemicals off your food. 9 P a g e

10 6. Replace all cleaning products that have a signal word like caution. Clean the oven for the holidays with baking soda, no elbow grease and no fumes. 7. Replace dishwashing powder and dishwashing detergents. Find eco friendly non-toxic alternatives, such as Eco Store products. Dishwashing tablets wrapped in dissolvable plastic are even more toxic, as the plastic dissolves and leaves additional chemical residue on your dishes and glasses, from which you eat and drink. 8. Ditch the surface spray. Replace it with an eco friendly version or a simple solution of tea tree and eucalyptus oil in a water solution. You can pop this into a spray bottle and refill, as you need. This will cut surface grease and grime while also disinfecting and removing biofilms. 9. Clean up your tap water. Remove the hundreds of chemical and toxins in your tap water by investing in a good quality water filter. Look for a Doulton carbon-ceramic filter system or a reverse osmosis system. Alkaline water is also great for your health. The Water Shop (www. watershop.com.au) is a great Australian supplier of premium quality water filters for all budgets and households. 10. Rethink the microwave. The microwave is the most powerful source of household radiation toxicity. Every time you use it, it emits EMF s and irradiates your food, damaging and denaturing proteins, minerals, vitamins and enzymes. Please, I beg you never microwave your food, not even to reheat or defrost. Unplug it and dump it on the side of the road at our next counsel pick up! If you don't have one, you can t be tempted into using it! 10 P a g e

11 AND FINALLY THE DIRTY DOZEN- THE WORSE AND MOST TOXIC CHEMICALS AT HOME! Arsenic Arsenic is a chemical element that occurs naturally in the environment. Where it is found: contaminated drinking water and copper-chromium-arsenate treated timber. Linked health risks: developmental delays, lowered IQ, behavioural problems and infertility. Bisphenol A Bisphenol A is a synthetic chemical. Where it is found: plastic baby bottles, teethers, some plastic water bottles, lining of metal food cans and some other products made from plastic. Linked health risks: endocrine problems, cancer, infertility and hyperactivity. Thankfully it is now possible to buy glass baby bottles and other storage and beverage containers that do not contain Bisphenol A. Carbon Monoxide Carbon monoxide is a highly toxic gas. It does not have a smell or colour. Where it is found: gas stoves and auto exhaust (from nearby traffic or your garage attached to your house). Linked health risks: headaches, dizziness, cardiovascular failure, nervous system failure and death. Chlorine Bleach Chlorine is a highly toxic gas. It is one of the most common household toxins. Many people like to use it to clean, brighten and whiten their laundry. Where it is found: household cleaners and chlorine bleach. Linked health risks: eye irritation, skin irritation, respiratory problems and infertility. Formaldehyde Formaldehyde is used as a preservative and disinfectant. It is a common ingredient in textile finishing products. It is also used to make resins for different purposes. Where it is found: anything made from particleboard, furniture, carpets, some latex paints, dish washing liquids, carpet cleaners, some permanent press fabrics, fabric softeners, adhesives, glues, nail polish and nail hardener. Linked health risks: nausea, dizziness, fatigue, sore throat, burning eyes, burning nose and infertility. Lead Lead keeps epidemiologists returning to the drawing board, says Soloway, "mostly because we know more now about the adverse effects of low-level exposure". Levels once thought to be acceptable are now known 11 P a g e

12 contributors to learning disabilities and behavioural problems. Lead is found in paint in older houses, old plumbing and soil near highways and busy roads. Linked health risks: it causes neurological and kidney damage, high blood pressure, disrupted blood cell production and reproductive problems. Perchloroethylene (Perc) Perc is a volatile organic compound that is mostly used in the dry cleaning process. Where it is found: newly dry-cleaned clothing. Linked health risks: drowsiness, loss of coordination, mild memory loss and dizziness. Perfluorinated Chemicals (PFC) PFC's are used to make non-stick surfaces and stain-repellents. Where they are found: microwave popcorn bags, non-stick pans, carpets, scratch and stain resistant materials, fabric and cleaning products. Linked health risks: developmental problems in children and may cause cancer. Pesticides Chlordane, aldrin and dieldrin were all banned for nearly two decades, however continue to show up, airborne, in older houses. Where they are found: food (mostly non-organic produce), bug sprays and grasses that has been sprayed. Linked health risks: nerve damage, cancer, birth defects, developmental problems and reproductive problems. Phthalates Phthalates are "plasticizers." They are used to soften plastics and make them more flexible and resilient. They give lotions their consistency. Where they are found: plastics (bottles, toys, storage containers, teethers, shower curtains, plastic bags, food wraps), cosmetics, personal care products (nail polish, soap, perfume, deodorant, shampoo and hair spray), detergents and vinyl flooring. Linked health risks: developmental problems in children, hormone disruption and reproductive problems. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) PVC is the source of "new car smell": The plastic interior of a new car off gasses this known carcinogen. Water sitting in PVC pipes overnight may also be steeping into a toxic tea. Very large exposures can lead to "vinyl chloride disease," which causes severe liver damage. PVC is a plastic that is used to make many different products. Where it is found: shower curtains, bottles, imitation leather, flooring, window frames, window blinds and pipes. Linked health risks: liver damage, damage to your lungs, central nervous system problems and reproductive problems. 12 P a g e

13 Triclosan Triclosan is antibacterial. Where it is found: liquid hand soaps, dish detergents, cleaning products, some toothpastes, toys and bedding. Linked health risks: endocrine system dysfunction and immune system dysfunction. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) VOC's are gases and vapours that contain carbon. They contribute to the formation of smog. Where they are found: cleaning products, hair spray, cosmetics, deodorants, perfume, cleaning products, carpets, paint, paint strippers, varnishes, air fresheners and dry cleaning. VOC's are released into the air as gases. Linked health risks: cancer, allergies, asthma, neurological problems, reproductive problems and developmental problems. Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, warns the Surgeon General. Radon is a natural radioactive gas that can seep into homes through cracks in the basement, the surrounding foundation and in well water. It enters the body quietly through the airways. BRANDS OF STUFF WE LOVE: Eco Store Method Dr Bronner Enjo POT PLANTS FOR THE HOME AND OFFICE THAT AID DETOXIFICATION OF YOUR LIVING AND WORKING SPACE These are the top 10 plants that aid in the removal of indoor toxins, according to Dr Bill Wolverton s studies at NASA. IVY DRAGON TREE Excellent for an overall clean-up of toxins from the air This evergreen is ideal for the office as it absorbs tricloroethylene and xylene from computers, printers and chipboard desks. 13 P a g e

14 ARECA PALM BOSTON FERN WEEPING FIG PEACE LILY GERBERA DRACENA RUBBER PLANT CHRYSANTHEMUM Humidifies the air and removes all toxins that science has identified from the air. The Malaysian native plant looks like a typical palm tree. Boosts humidity and removes chemical vapours, such as formaldehyde, which can be found in some furnishings. A good all-round air filter. Very good at filtering benzene, formaldehyde and bio-effluents from the air. It improves moisture content of dry indoor areas. Removes chemical vapours while humidifying the air. Exceptionally cleansing for air, it tolerates poor light and dry air and filters benzene from any indoor areas. This perennial favourite is very good at clearing formaldehyde. One of the best flowers for removing formaldehyde, benzene and ammonia from the air. 14 P a g e