It is no secret that modern-day life can become quite toxic (both literally and figuratively) despite all the commodities that we now have.
When it comes to your own house, many substances that you use might cause harm without you even realizing it. As such, we’ve thought about making a list with helpful suggestions so you can replace those nasty toxic things with natural or non-toxic alternatives.
1. Dishwasher Detergent
One of the most toxic things you’re probably using on a consistent basis is dishwasher detergent. While laundry detergent is no better, it’s at least a little gentler on fabrics. Dishwasher detergent, on the other hand, can cause real harm to septic systems (especially on septic tank baffle), grey water systems, and even to nearby plants if the resulting water gets drained near them. As such, we recommend you only chemical free detergent. You’ll not only help the environment, but you’ll also do less damage to your plumbing and decrease the risk of developing a rash in case your skin comes into contact with said detergent.
2. Switch to Beeswax Candles
Most scented candle makers use paraffin, which is a petroleum-based product. The material is chemically bleached and hardened, and burning it pollutes the air in the room. And the worst part? None of these scented substances are well-regulated, so you’ll never know for sure what toxins you’re releasing into the air.
Perfumes can contain one or more of over 3,000 ingredients that are toxic, unregulated and synthetic. Even worse, some candles can even contain lead. That’s enough said, right? Bottom line: switch to beeswax candles and leave the scented ones aside.
3. Get Rid of Plastic Storage Containers
Apart from the fact that plastic is a petroleum-based product, just like paraffin, it’s also hard to clean and can start looking nasty in time. We recommend switching to glass storage containers for these exact reasons.
They are far easier to clean, so you won’t spend as much time scrubbing. And one of our favorite benefits is the fact that you can easily see what’s stored inside, so you won’t have to mess around with labels if you want to get something out really quick. But by far the best reason to switch to a plastic container, especially for food, is because you can microwave it without anything leeching onto the food itself.
4. Reject Modern Pest Extermination
Embrace Diatomaceous Earth. DE, for short, is used effectively to control ants, roaches, and spiders. You can sprinkle this substance all around the house, including the garage, basement, under the sink, and behind appliances.
Unlike modern pesticides, Diatomaceous Earth isn’t toxic. Instead, it’s a white powder that is the fossilized remains of marine phytoplankton. How does this work exactly? Well, once a bug with an exoskeleton (a roach, for example) comes into contact with DE, the substance reaches under the shell and punctures the bug’s body, thus effectively killing it.
But it sounds dangerous, doesn’t it? Wrong. For mammals, DE is completely safe. You can read more about Diatomaceous Earth here so you can get a full understanding of what it is and how it works.
The Bottom Line
Did you find any of these tips useful? If so, please share our article with your friends and any other person that might be interested in this subject.