10 Ways to Detox Your Home
4/9/2019 (Permalink)
Create a Healtheir Home for You and Your Family
The average home contains hundreds of toxins, many of which we are unable to see, smell or taste. While these toxins may be tolerated individually and in small doses, problems can arise when one is exposed to them in combination or in larger doses. Everyone’s tolerance level is different depending on genetics, nutritional status and previous or ongoing exposure to toxins.
There are many things you can do to “detox” your home, some more practical than others. Here are a few suggestions to help you get started.
Take Your Shoes Off
- Go barefoot or wear slippers. Outdoor shoes bring in dirt, pesticides and even lead.
- Place floor mats vertically by your entryways to wipe your shoes. A clean mat will trap more dirt and residue from your shoes.
Keep the Air Clean
- Keep your windows and doors open as much as possible to ventilate.
- Use green plants as natural air detoxifiers.
- Remove odors with baking soda or contact SERVPRO of Bear/New Castle to effectively deodorize your home.
- Use fresh flowers or bowls of herbs like rosemary and sage to add a pleasant fragrance to rooms.
- Have your air ducts and vents cleaned by SERVPRO of Bear/New Castle, DE.
- Get a portable air cleaner/purifier, especially for the bedrooms.
Safer Cleaning Products
- Start replacing commercial cleaning products with safer, greener ones.
- Don’t be afraid of DIY; there are many effective and safe cleaners that can be made out of non-toxic household staples like baking soda, plant-based dish soap, vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide.
RELATED: 11/26/2017 - 6 Cleaning Products You Should Never Mix
Use Plastic Wisely
- Most plastics contain the toxic compound Bisphenol A, a hormone disruptor.
- Choose products that are BPA-free especially when it comes to food containers
- Do not use plastic containers in the microwave.
- Choose baby bottles made from glass or BPA-free plastic.
- Stay away from children’s toys marked with a “3” or “PVC.”
Avoid Non Stick Pans, Bakeware & Utensils
PTFE, a polymer used in nonstick cookware as well as in food packaging, can release potentially hazardous fumes.
- PFOA, a chemical used in nonstick coatings, like Teflon, is a human carcinogen that many companies plan to phase out of their products.
- Replace your pots and pans with healthier alternatives that won’t leach chemicals into the air. Try glass, cast iron or stainless steel.
Remove Dust
- More dust means more toxins. Dust your furniture using a microfiber cloth.
- Mop all surfaces at least once a week.
- Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter, for your carpets. HEPA-filter vacuums capture the widest range of particles and get rid of allergens.
Prevent Mold
- Keep moisture levels to a minimum to stop the growth of mold and mildew.
- Monitor the areas where mold most commonly grows (bathroom, kitchen and basement) for moisture accumulation or leaks.
- Regularly clean surfaces where mold usually grows – around showers and tubs and beneath sinks.
- If You See Signs of Mold, Call SERVPRO of Bear/New Castle Today – (302) 392-6000
Purify Your Water
- Filter tap water to eliminate toxins by using a carbon filter (pitcher, faucet-mount or dispenser).
- Use a showerhead filter to remove chlorine and other potentially harmful chemicals.
Check Radon Levels
- Radon is an odorless gas that forms as uranium in rocks and soil breaks down. Check Radon levels in poorly ventilated basements that have cracked walls and or floors.
Monitor Carbon Monoxide (CO) Levels
- Leaks are most commonly found in leaking gas stoves, gas fireplaces, furnaces and chimneys and gas water heaters.
- Use a certified CO detector to check your home for carbon monoxide leaks in furnaces and other home appliances.
SERVPRO of Bear/New Castle: Air Ducts and HVAC Cleaning
Ventilation systems are often the biggest culprit in poor indoor air quality. Make it a priority to inspect the duct work of your home or business.
If your HVAC has been operating for some time without attention, it could be circulating one or more of the following:
- Dust
- Pollen
- Odors
- Dirt and debris
- Other contaminants
SERVPRO of Bear/New Castle routinely inspect the heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit (HVAC). Keeping them clean can extend the life of the equipment. This can in turn save you money and give you cleaner air to breathe. However, duct cleaning is not always necessary. We will make recommendations about the best way to address any indoor air quality concerns. This can save you money and provide peace of mind on the health of your system.
The benefits of servicing your HVAC unit include:
- Helps to restore peak energy efficiency.
- May help to eliminate offensive odors.
- Helps reduce the potential for mold growth.
Call SERVPRO of Bear/New Castle at (302) 392-6000 to schedule your air duct and HVAC cleaning.
Why Choose SERVPRO of Bear / New Castle?
SERVPRO of Bear/New Castle is locally owned and operated, and serves Bear, New Castle, Glasgow, Christiana, Delaware City, St. Georges, Corbit, Wilmington Manor, Minquadale, and the surrounding New Castle County communities.
Our certified cleaning and restoration specialists are faster to any size disaster. Providing emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including all holidays. You can expect an immediate response time, day or night.
24/7 Fire Damage Restoration Service - 24/7 Water Damage Restoration Service - 24/7 Flood Damage Service - 24/7 Sewage Damage & Sewage Removal Service - 24/7 Mold Remediation Service - 24/7 Bio-hazard Cleanup - 24/7 Suicide & Crime Cleanup - 24/7 Board-up and Roof Tarping