Protect Your Family, Room-By-Room!

With 2010 almost here and the holidays past us, many of us start feeling a need for change. The New Year represents a time for reinventing oneself and starting “fresh” and while improvement in any area is important, making your home healthier is a great place to jump-start this “new you” transformation!

Making your home healthy isn’t just good for the Earth, it is good for you and your family! There are many ways big and small to create a home that fosters green, clean and healthy living. Some of these are simple and cheap to do, while others may seem a bit pricey – the savings will quickly add up for a lifetime of benefit to your pocket-book and your health!

The bathroom….ah, a place of peaceful tranquility where we often-times go to escape the realities of our day. Unfortunately, this “safe-haven” actually poses many health risks for you and your family. When considering changes for a new and healthy year – the bathroom is a great place to begin your home detox!

Flooring: Consider cork or bamboo! Both are great options for the eco-conscious homeowner as they are not only durable but they are naturally resistant to mold, mildew and bacteria due to their moisture repelling qualities. These stylish flooring options are sustainable and continue to replenish themselves every few years.

Fix leaks! The amount of water leaking from a  toilet or faucet can add up to a flood of money wasted down the drain over time.

Install a low flow showerhead and faucets. Look for models with aerators and flow restrictors which can cut your home water use by as much as 50%, and reduce your energy cost of heating the water also by as much as 50%.

Consider organic cotton, bamboo or hemp bath and hand towels offering a safe and irritant free drying for your skin. Choosing eco-friendly towels for your bathroom means using products made from fibers grown without pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, and made without chemicals that could be harmful to your health.

Choose replaceable options versus disposable in your personal care products such as razors and toothbrushes.

Use eco-friendly cleaning supplies or make your own!

For vanities and cabinets, avoid materials such as particleboard that contain formaldehyde.

Use recycled materials for anything from decorations, soap dishes and recycled materials for walls and countertops. http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/green-remodeling-countertops-460205

Bath tub toys: Say good-bye to the traditional plastic bath toys which are made with phthalates and Bisphenol-A. Instead look for eco-friendly bath toys that are safe and healthy made by such companies as http://www.booninc.com/ or http://www.thesoftlanding.com/.Consider your products! Look for healthy organic versions of the products you use such as cosmetics, creams, bath soaps and shampoo. Not only are they healthier for you, but for the planet too. The cumulative effect of these chemicals can have a large impact on our world.

Small changes can have a huge impact and there is no better place to begin than in our homes. Our home should be a place without worry, a place where we can relax and feel at peace. What better way than to know our sacred retreat is non-toxic and fosters heath and wellness for our whole family!

Next week: The non-toxic bedroom, “Sweet Eco-Dreams”