Tips to Detoxify Your Home 

We all know how important it is to rid our bodies of toxins. Clean eating and clean living 
make you glow with positive energy. But it's just as important to detoxify your 
environment and freshen up the air you breathe every day.

Our homes are full of toxins, and even if you live green and keep a squeaky-clean 
house, allergens and irritants from cleaners, paints, pesticides and other chemical 
products can linger in the air long after they're gone. Here's a guide to making sure the 
air you breathe is as pure and healthy as it can be.

Kick Your Shoes Off

The easiest way to keep your house clean is to keep dirt from getting inside in the first 
place. Your shoes walk through an unbelievable amount of grime every day, and they 
also bring in pollen, mud and germs. In winter, you can add toxic ice melts to the mix. 

Keep this nasty brew out of your house by taking your shoes off at the door, and ask 
your guests to do the same. Wear socks or slippers indoors and you'll keep your 
furniture and rugs clean too.

Stay Planted

Almost any type of green plant will help detoxify your home by filtering out chemicals 
and releasing pure, detoxified air. Luckily, some of the best choices are also those that 
are easy to grow:

Warning: If you have pets, consult this guide from the ASPCA to know whether the 
potted wonder you're buying will be toxic to cats, dogs and other pets.
English ivy
Boston fern
Wax begonia
Bamboo palm

Blooms are Best

Flowers play a role, too. They'll fill the room with natural fragrance that has no chemical 
residue. Studies have found that seeing flowers first thing in the morning puts you in a 
good mood all day, so go ahead and indulge yourself with some bright bouquets. 

Mold Matters

Mold grows when water leaks into the house and gets trapped. Mold can cause flu-like 
symptoms including rashes, sore throats and nasal problems like sniffing and sneezing. 

To stop mold from growing, eliminate leaks in your home and make sure it's properly 
sealed at the doors and windows. Open the windows in your bathroom for a short time 
after taking a shower or bath, to help the walls dry and prevent mold from taking hold.

Open the Windows

Open the windows every day to get a breath of sunshine and fresh air. It will lift your 
spirits and help circulate the air. Let nature lend a hand in lifting away toxins and 
allergens. 

Be careful not to leave windows open for a long time if you have allergies. You don't 
want to fill up the house with pollen or ragweed.

Lemon Lift

For a simple, natural air freshener, forget scented sprays or wax candles. Instead, slice 
a lemon and set the slices out on bowls around the house. They'll absorb odors and 
leave behind a beautiful fresh scent. As a bonus, the bright color of lemons is an instant 
mood lifter.

Choose Natural Flooring

Carpets are a major source of volatile organic compounds (VOC), which have been 
linked to several cancers. Wall-to-wall carpeting is the worst, because the glue used to 
install it is packed with toxins and VOCs. 

To detoxify your home, get rid of carpets and choose flooring that's sustainable and free 
of toxins, like hardwood or bamboo. Stick to area rugs that you can wash. 

Breathe Easy 

Detoxifying your home should be part of your routine, just like watching what you eat 
and what chemicals you allow into your daily life. With these tips, you'll enjoy a fresh, 
clean home where you can breathe easy every day
