10 Super-Simple Ways to Detox Your Home

Creating a greener home can be a daunting task, so we've rounded up the 10 easiest ways to start clearing your home of toxins. It all starts by leaving your shoes by the door.

By: Chelsey Bowen

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Seriously, Shoes Stay Out

Have everyone slip off their shoes and leave them by the door. Most dirt, pesticides and germs come in on the bottom of your shoes (eek!), so you'll keep a lot of contaminants out of your home if your shoes never walk in. Go barefoot or have slippers handy for chilly days.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Use Green Plants as Natural Detoxifiers

Houseplants have a natural ability to clean air, removing pollutants, such as formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene and carbon monoxide. Breath easier by adding plants that will improve the air quality of your home.

From: Dan Faires

So Long, Dryer Sheets

Opt for wool dryer balls for a chemical-free and all-natural way to soften your laundry. Since they last up to a thousand loads, they're eco-friendly — that's 1,000 less dryer sheets in the landfills. They also reduce your drying time, which lowers your energy usage.

Get the How-To: DIY Reusable Dryer Balls

Cleaner Cleaning Products

Go green with your cleaning products. So many of our household cleaners are full of toxic chemicals and harsh additives. Make your own with everyday ingredients, like vinegar, baking soda and lemon.

Bring on the Filters

Add filters that remove fluoride, chemicals and heavy metals from your drinking water and showerhead. You can install whole house filtration systems or, if you need a more budget-friendly or renter option, look into filters you install on individual sink faucets, showerheads and bathtub faucets.

From: Tiffany Brooks

Ditch Your Shower Curtain

Vinyl shower curtains are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a plastic that releases potentially harmful gases into your home. Keep your air free of phthalates by using cotton liners instead.

From: Kirsten Holmstedt

From the Floor Up

Using a vacuum with a HEPA filter not only helps with allergens in your home, but it also aids in creating a healthier environment. The HEPA filter traps dust, bacteria, pathogens and particles, as well as reduces the levels of many chemicals.

Watch Out for Plastics

Eliminate as many plastics as you can, and keep a close eye on the plastics you do bring into your home. In particular, avoid numbers 1, 3, 6 and 7. By staying away from those, you'll greatly reduce your exposure to BPA, phthalates and styrene.

Sleeping Clean

We spend one-third of our lives in our beds, so make sure you're not breathing in harmful toxins. Change out your mattresses to certified organic ones that are made by using no pesticides and manufactured by chemical-free processes.

Dry Cleaning Know-How

If you can't switch to a green cleaner (search "wet-cleaning method" in your area), make sure to take the bags off as soon as you get your clothes home. Then, before you stick them in a small space, like closets, let them air out in a hall or garage for a couple of days to release some of the perchloroethylene solvents.

From: Dave Stimmel

10 Super-Simple Ways to Detox Your Home

Related To:

Shop This Look

Seriously, Shoes Stay Out

Use Green Plants as Natural Detoxifiers

So Long, Dryer Sheets

Cleaner Cleaning Products

Bring on the Filters

Ditch Your Shower Curtain

From the Floor Up

Watch Out for Plastics

Sleeping Clean

Dry Cleaning Know-How

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