The Top 10 Ways To Make a Cleaner, Greener, Healthier Home

1.     Open windows. Even a few minutes of fresh air a day can significantly improve indoor air quality.

2.     Leave shoes at the door. This easy tip prevents people from tracking in dirt, lead dust, pesticides, gasoline residue, and more.

3.     Grow indoor plants.   Many plants naturally absorb and filter air impurities. 

4.     Simplify your cleaning routine. Water is the universal solvent and if you need a little more oomph - simple ingredients like vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice are safer, cheaper, and effective.

5.     Go back to basics for beauty and personal care. Cosmetics and care products contain hundreds of chemicals and many have not been thoroughly tested for health impacts. Try olive or coconut oil for a wonderful moisturizer, oatmeal as a nice face mask, and look for other DIY recipes on-line.

6.     Wash hands often. Not only does regular hand-washing reduce exposure to germs and viruses, it also reduces exposure to chemical contaminants that cling to dust (and then to hands). Ditch the antibacterials because research shows plain soap is just as effective. Sing the ABC’s while vigorously lathering palms, between fingers, around nail beds, and the backs of hands.

7.     Store food safely. Many plastics can leach chemicals into food and it’s easy to switch to glass (the safest option) if you re-use things like spaghetti sauce and salsa jars. 

8.     Ban the can. Most metal cans are lined with a plastic resin that contains the hormone disruptor BPA. Choose fresh, frozen and dried foods.

9.     Get cooking. Buy whole foods and try making meals from scratch (or close) to reduce your exposure to the many synthetic additives found in processed foods. Also, involving your children in the process will foster healthy habits. Kids are more likely to eat new foods if they are involved in choosing, buying, and preparing.

10.   Purge plastics. Use alternatives to plastic as much as possible (glass, stainless steel, wood, cloth). If you need to use plastic, opt for plastics numbered 2, 4 or 5, hand wash them and avoid microwaving in it and using with hot, acidic or fatty foods or beverages.

To learn more ways to create a cleaner, greener, safer home visit: http://www.healthychild.org