Day #8 and #9:

What Toxins Are In Your Home?

For the last two days of the observation portion of the Challenge we will focus on the broad topic of toxins in your home and the environment. 

Ridding your home of toxins could be a two week challenge all by itself so for the purposes of our time together we are going to get specific.  We are going to focus in on the cleaning products you use to clean your home.

For the next two days, anytime you reach for a cleaner – surface cleaner, dish soap, laundry detergent, etc. – flip over the bottle and take a look at the ingredients.

Do you see any of these?

• Phthalates
• Perchloroethylene or “PERC”
• Triclosan
• Quarternary Ammonium Compounds, or “QUATS”
• 2-Butoxyethanol
• Ammonia
• Chlorine
• Sodium Hydroxide

On your worksheet, jot down a few of the ingredients you see, being sure to make a note of any of the above.

These are some of the top culprits that can cause harm to the health of your family and the planet.

Why is removing toxins from your home and the environment important?

We bring so many things into our homes that are constructed of different materials, include a variety of ingredients and are sourced from different places around the world. We may not even realize that some of these things may pose a risk to our health by introducing toxins into our homes – and the environment. 

According to the Environmental Protection Agency the air in your home can be more polluted than the outdoor air in a large, industrialized city.

And, because effects from exposure to toxins are difficult to identify, it can be years before problems from exposure develop into a disease or chronic ailment like cancer or an autoimmune disease.

The good news is that you can take steps to reduce the toxins your family is exposed to by creating a healthier home. And, a healthy home that is free of toxins inside also helps to support and protect the environment by reducing the toxins that pollute the air and water sources.

For more info, check out this video for a quick overview of the toxins that can be lurking in your home: