I find it ironic that this one space of our home, called “the Living Room” can be the host of so many toxins and unhealthy hidden dangers that they can be literally be taking a toll on “our living-selves”. Our body’s are delicate and intricate biological systems and more people are taking notice of all of the “small” yet significant dangers that we are bombarded with on a daily basis – potentially upsetting this inner balance.
So today is the last part of our series on “The Home Detox”…and if you missed any other posts and you want to know more on how to create your own healthy home – you can find them here!
Week 1. The Bathroom
Week 2. The Bedroom
Week 3. The Kitchen
Some simple ways that you can make a big difference in your living room is by first recognizing that some of the things that you do or don’t do, can be changed with minimal effort and/or money. These changes do not have to cost a lot to be worth a lot and you may find that you will be able to save money by implementing them.
1. Keep the dirt outdoors – By simply taking your shoes off at the door, you can greatly reduce many toxins that you might be carrying in. Think about that bathroom that you stood in at the gas station – do you want THAT where your kids lounge? What about the gas spills at the pump – on your shoes! And yesterday, you chased your toddler into that gorgeous CHEMICALLY SPRAYED lawn? Yep – lounging in pesticides and fertilizers. I say “yuck, gross and no thanks”.
2. Breath in Fresh – open your windows and let some fresh air in to circulate out any of the “stale” air inside. You can also purchase an air purifyer for a minimal amount!
3. Low VOC paints: Volatile organic compounds, or VOC’s found in many traditional paints can emit toxic fumes that can last for years. “The EPA has found concentrations of VOCs in indoor air to be 2 to 5 times greater than in outdoor air due to paint and other products” The Good Human- who also has a fantastic list of healthier paint brands to get you started.
4. HEPA Vacuum Cleaner – These are excellent choices to help control dust and allergens in your home. They have the ability to capture very small particles that other vacuum cleaners would potentially be recirculating back into the air you are breathing. HEPA filters can benefit allergy sufferers and others with health problems by reducing or eliminating those particles making for cleaner indoor air. 
5. Carpet Cleaner – Purchase a carpet cleaner and do it yourself. This option can then eliminate the need for professionals who will come into your home and “clean” your carpets with all kinds of chemical based cleaners. Some companies are now claiming to have healthier and “green” options, however, a solution of hot water and vinegar in your personal carpet cleaner will be much safer, less expensive and truly green! For stubborn stains, try scrubbing with baking soda or Borax.
6. Bamboo Flooring – Sustainable and does not harbor the dirt, germs and dust that carpet can hold!
7. Check your filter on your furnace – Regular replacement (at least every 6 months or more frequently where there are dusty conditions) of dirty filters reduces fuel use, lowers greenhouse gas emissions and reduces wear on your furnace – all the while improving the reduction of dust particles! Consider a HEPA filter as your replacement to capture even the smallest of particles.
8. Dust regularly – Dusting should be done on a regular basis, using a damp cloth, to remove dirt and debris from the inside of your home. Note: Dust accumulates on everything! Don’t forget to wash curtains and other fabrics as part of your dusting routine.
9. Wash Windows with vinegar – Using pure vinegar to clean your windows is a fantastic green and healthy option. It works! Personally, I have tried the vinegar and water solution to clean my windows, but it did not do nearly as great of a job as 100% white vinegar. I have a spray bottle labeled “window cleaner” that is nothing more than vinegar. I spray my mirrors and windows and clean using a “squeegee” thing! This is the best! 
10. No sythetic fragrances – Use oils with a diffuser! Those aeresol room sprays are nothing more than synthetic chemical fragrances containing unhealthy ingredients such as ethanol – besides being horrible for our environment. I highly recommend purchasing some pure essential oils (Young Living is a a great one) and a room diffuser! They smell divine and they do not have harmful ingredients and artificial fragrances. They can in fact be beneficial to your health! I also add water and some oil into a little bottle and spritz it around the room occasionally…..mmmmm…… 
11. Fire and Carbon Monoxide Detectors – Necessary and essential in protecting your family from a potentially life-threatening situation.
12. Plants: Plants not only create a lush and inviting atmosphere in your home, but they have many benefits to the state of your mental health as well as your physical health! How? Not only do they have the ability to reduce stress, but they can help with indoor air quality as well. NASA did a study to find out which plants were best to filter the air of the space station and they have made this list available to all of us too! Some of the key pollutants that they can help remove are formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene (TCE). Check out this list here! If this doesn’t make you want to have a green(er) thumb – I just don’t know what could 
13. Ambiance – Create a peaceful and comfortable place for your spirit to unwind by incorporating a “minimalist” attitude! Here is a wonderful article by Simple Marriage entitled “A guide to creating a simple home” Check out some tips on how to live a simple and abundant lifestyle! 
14. Laughter: I just have to add this because studies show how powerful an effect laughter has on creating wellness within. A living room – a healthy living room, should be a place for friends and family to gather and feel the joy of one another and really “live” and love…all in the comfy coziness of a healthy home. 
Great things can come from just putting one step forward. My challenge to you is to put YOUR foot forward and take some, all or even more steps than mentioned, into transforming your home into one that offers wellness in every room! What will you do? What have you done already that you feel great about? I would love to hear your thoughts 
I’m about to paint my living room, and I’m detoxing it too! i found that vinegar is a HUGE help in removing old wallpaper and wallpaper glue. Love vinegar!
Hey Friend! That is so awesome about vinegar helping to remove old wallpaper – wow! Is there anything vinegar cannot handle LOL? I have used vinegar to remove price tags too – it must be great for getting adhesive off of things!
When I was really small, if I complained of a headache my grandmother would soak strips of brown paper in malt vinegar and lay it on my forehead. It was really cooling and the vapors from the vinegar seemed to disperse the pain. Now I’m totally addicted to vinegar – bless my nan. And of course it’s not just an old wives tale. If you recall your nursery rhymes – Jack and Jill went up the hill….. they broke their “crowns” (heads), trotted home and soaked them in vinegar and brown paper!!!!
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Good article, girlie! Have you heard of Norwex? It’s another home party kind of business. They have a glass cloth that rocks my world. Spritzer bottle of water and the cloth. Don’t even use vinegar. (Can you imagine all the glass I clean in my office???)
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