Breathe Magazine

Spring has finally arrived after one of the most brutal winters on record. And with spring, comes the need to detoxify. The term spring cleaning has real meaning. We are in hibernation throughout the winter time, covered in clothing, blankets, and weighed down by comfy foods. And this isn’t a bad thing, this is how it’s supposed to be. Going back to the caveman era, we store more fat and we sleep longer in the winter to survive. But as spring begins to come into bloom, it’s time to start anew.

Detoxifying your home is good for the planet and it’s good for your health. According to the EPA, the air inside the average home is two to five times more polluted than the air outside, largely due to toxic household cleaners and pesticides.

Here are some simple steps to removing toxins from your home:

1. Replace all cleaning products with plant-based cleaning products.

Everyone is doing it. People are starting to realize that bleach and poisonous cleaning products are making us sick. You shouldn’t have to hold your breath while you’re cleaning. That’s why large chain grocery stores are now carrying plant-based cleaning products like Seventh Generation and Clorox’s new Green Works products. Dispose of toxic cleaning products through the proper means at toxic drop-off sites. Don’t just pour them down the drain or throw them away. Soon you’ll realize that eco-friendly cleaning products are just as effective and you don’t feel light headed when you use them. This also includes laundry soap and dryer sheets. Look for products that are all natural, readily biodegradable, and free of phosphates. They cause less irritation on skin and they don’t pollute our water systems, choking aquatic sea life.

2.  Get rid of mold.

Mold is caused by excessive moisture. So you have to reduce the causes of moisture to deal with mold. First off, wash your shower curtain to get rid of the mold built up. Remove all clutter like excessive bottles from the shower that can cause water build up. Fix leaky faucets as well. And then use some elbow grease and eco-friendly bathroom cleaner to get rid of the mold that’s already there. In the future, leave the bathroom door open and a window open to increase air flow.

3. Clean the air.

Regularly cleaning or replacing air-conditioner and furnace filters and keeping air ducts clear is another effective step in removing pollutants such as bacteria, mold, viruses, and pollen from indoor air. Consider buying indoor plants that effectively clean the air like the Boston fern, Peace lily, or Reed palm. And remove shoes at the door so that you can avoid tracking toxins into your home.