This winter, as you batten down the hatches and spend more time indoors, have you considered what kind of toxins you’re shutting in with you?
Here are three areas to focus on if you would like to lighten your household’s toxic load.
1. Materials
Our homes are full of stuff. The more of it that is low tox, the better. That’s why opting for natural materials like wood, metal, glass, stone and ceramic surfaces, cookware and storage solutions makes sense.
When it comes to soft furnishings, bedding and clothing, go for materials like linen, cotton, silk and wool. Not only do they look lovely, they are breathable and easier on your skin. And if you consider that textiles made from plastic (like polyester, nylon or acrylic) shed at every stage of their lives, it’s no wonder that microplastics are showing up in the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat.
2. Toiletries
According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, some chemicals can enter the body through the skin and cause us damage and even disease. Many readily available skin and beauty products contain toxins and questionable ingredients that may at the very least irritate our systems and disrupt our hormonal balance. The trick is to choose products that are clearly labelled and avoid harsh chemical ingredients.
3. Cleaning Products
Thanks to developments in green chemistry, there are products now available that will leave your home perfectly clean, fresh and germ free without eye-watering toxic fumes, nasty residues, petrochemicals or synthetic fragrances. So when a baby crawls across a freshly mopped floor, a pet licks at a spill or a teen chops veggies directly on the bench, they’re not getting more than they bargained for.
Looking for more low tox living ideas? You’ll find kitchen utensils, baby clothing, home care items, cleaning products, body care goodies and more at ecostore’s Freemans Bay shop.
ECOSTORE, 1 Scotland Street, Freemans Bay, T: 09 360 8477, www.ecostore.co.nz
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