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DETOXING YOUR HOME for healthy hormones, enhanced fertility, pregnancy and

baby care

Adapted by Angela Hywood ND © 2012

THE BATHROOM

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Bathroom cleaners use toxins and harsh chemicals to get the job done, but can cause irritation to

your skin and respiratory system, as well as cause significant damage to the environment, in the

process. Luckily, a host of products is increasingly available that are kinder to your home, health,

children (in the making) and our planet. It's time to start making conscious and educated choices-

start overhauling your home and supplies! Replace either the cleaner that you use the most, or

the one that you're closest to running out of and look for brands that list all of their ingredients on

the label.

Make your granny proud!

With common household ingredients and a little elbow grease, you can get that porcelain

sparkling to an all-natural shine. Spray the surface of sinks, tubs and toilets, for instance, with

diluted vinegar or lemon juice; leave it for half an hour, then scrub. Remove lime scale by soaking

your showerhead in white vinegar for an hour, or whip up a simple mixture of baking soda, liquid

castile soap (Dr. Bronner's) and a touch of scented essential oil to create a simple, all natural

bathtub cleaner. Clove oil is the ultimate non-toxic mould buster for bathroom walls and any

household damp.

Conserve precious water

Lots of options help you conserve water in the bathroom. An inexpensive but effective choice is a

low-flow faucet aerator, which can be installed on your existing tap. It mixes air into flowing water,

thereby reducing water consumption by up to 70%. We live in a water conscious country, so do

your bit!

Low-flow faucets and showerheads also reduce water use without sacrificing comfort. You will

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save energy and money. Consider installing a chlorine filter on your showerhead. Toxic chlorine is

inhaled into your lungs and saturates your skin while you shower or bathe. Did you know that

chlorine also causes skin allergies and dermatitis? If your skin is sensitive, a chlorine filter will help

enormously. Check out The Water Shop (www.watershop.com.au) for some great ideas.

Kill the mould

Mould can quickly become a problem if leaky taps and pipes are left unchecked. Rising damp is a

problem in many humid states in Australia. Mould can be not only be structurally damaging and

unsightly, it can also cause or aggravate allergies, asthma and other health problems. So, the first

order of business is to stop the problem at its source, by fixing any leaks. Fight any nasty growth

with tea tree oil and clove oil, a natural way to fight bacteria and mould. Wipe down any mouldy

surfaces with a rag saturated in a tea tree-clove oil combination, then each week, spray the

surfaces with a solution of 10% clove oil to 50% vinegar and 50% water solution.

How safe is your personal care and make up?

Make up, skincare and grooming products can actually contain small amounts of toxic materials

such as formaldehyde, sodium lauryl sulfate, fluoride and mercury. While these are deemed safe

for use in small quantities, their effects on our bodies over time can lead to toxicity and subtle

health problems. To preserve your health and natural beauty, choose grooming products such as

shampoo and body washes made from organic and plant-based ingredients instead of synthetic

chemicals and avoid anything with "fragrance" or "perfume." To dig deeper into this topic, go to

http://www.treehugger.com/htgg/how-to-go-green-womens-personal-care.html - How to Green

Women's Personal Care and the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep cosmetics database

(http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/).

We recommend:

Skin Care: Antipodes from NZ, Dr.Hauschka (www.drhauschka.com.au); Kora Organics (the skin

care of the lovely and fabulous Miranda Kerr www.koraorganics.com), Melrose

(www.melrosehealth.com.au) and A’kin (www.purist.com).

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Personal care: Dr Bronner (www.drbronner.com.au), mineral deodorant sticks, A’kin personal care

products

Sanitary: Tom Organics (www.tomorganic.com.au) or Naturacare organic tampons and pads.

Remember, when that baby comes along baby wipes and nappies need to be chemical free too!

Your Pearly Whites

Choose toothpaste and mouth wash that is fluoride free. Fluoride competes with iodine for

absorption and can lead to iodine deficiency. Iodine is one of the most important minerals for DNA

health, pregnancy and healthy bright babies. Studies have shown that over 70% of Australian

school children are iodine deficient. Is toothpaste dumbing down our kids and making us less

fertile? YES! Swap to Grants fluoride free toothpaste and use a simple remedy of two drops of tea

tree oil or 1 mL of Echinacea extract in water as a mouthwash.

Fluoride is a natural trace element. We get plenty of natural fluoride in fruit, vegetables and

salads, your teeth will get ample amount to maintain your enamel, just through food! Many states

in the USA are now opting NOT to fluoridate the tap water, due to the increasing associated health

concerns.

Make sure that your diet is rich in iodine as this will offset any health detriments associated with

fluoride. So, eat up lots of seaweed and sea vegetables!

THE LAUNDRY

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Doing the laundry should be all about getting clean with green! Our tips for kinder, gentler

laundry, which are as gentle on your delicates as they are on the planet, while still getting the job

done with ease.

Clothes washing detergents and fabric softener

Eco-friendly detergents are gentler on the world outside, kinder to tender skin and can help

extend the life of your clothes. Look for products that are all natural, readily biodegradable and

free of phosphates, which can cause algal blooms that can effectively choke the aquatic

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ecosystems. Choosing concentrated and powdered detergents helps reduces the carbon footprint.

Check out EcoStore (www.ecostoreaustralia.com.au) and Method (www.methodhome.com.au)

Don't reach for bleach

Whiter whites are dreamy, but the chlorine in conventional bleach products is a harmful

respiratory irritant and reproductive toxin. Non-chlorine bleaches, often called "oxygen bleaches,"

from brands such as EcoStore (www.ecostoreaustralia.com.au) and Method

(www.methodhome.com.au) are readily available and really do work. Or, take a DIY approach: You

can add half a cup borax to the wash load.

Get a clothes line

A typical clothes dryer costs over $100 a year to run and racks up hundreds of kilos of carbon

emissions. Line drying, on the other hand, costs nothing to either you or the planet. Plus, air dried

clothes never suffer from static cling.

Use common scents

Dryer fabric softener and scented dryer sheets, new to the Australian market, contain chemicals

that are suspected carcinogens, but it is easy to reduce your exposure to these toxins and still get

fresh smelling laundry. Simply opt for homemade sachets that can be tossed in with the wash or

placed on a closet shelf. Adding half a cup of vinegar during the rinse cycles also does the trick and

adding a few drops of lavender, lemon and/or geranium oil to the rinse can help make things smell

dreamy.

Ditch your dry cleaner Most dry-cleaners rely on perchloroethylene, "perc" for short, which has

been linked to cancer, sub fertility and various other diseases. The good news: even if the label on

your clothes says, "dry clean only," gentle hand washing is actually OK for most garments, even

delicates such as wool, cashmere and silk. In fact, dry-cleaning delicate fabrics shortens their

lifespan. Some eco-friendly dry cleaners now use silicone solvent-based or liquid CO2 cleaning

methods, which are healthier alternatives.

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THE LIVING ROOM

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Off Gassing and Chemicals

Most of us think of our homes as sanctuaries from the hectic and toxic world beyond our front

doors. But indoor air pollution can actually be several times worse than that outside. Why?

Because things like furniture are made from particle board and medium-density fiberboard (MDF),

carpets with PVC backing and varnishes full of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can off-gas

chemicals such as formaldehyde and benzene.

You can improve your indoor air quality, without replacing your décor, by keeping rooms properly

ventilated and opening windows from time to time. Regularly cleaning or replacing air-conditioner

and heater filters, and keeping air ducts clear is another effective step in removing pollutants such

as bacteria, mould, viruses and pollen from indoor air, while helping keep equipment working at

maximum efficiency. Another simple tip: remove shoes at the door, which means you will track

fewer toxins throughout the house.

Air freshener

Air fresheners (actually, almost anything with artificial fragrances) are likely to contain phthalates,

a group of chemicals often used to "fix" scents or make them stay put. To freshen your home

naturally, choose all-natural, hypoallergenic products packaged in non-aerosol containers, such as

citrus sprays. You can also make your own room scent by simply filling a mister bottle with water

and a few drops of essential oil, or by placing sweet-smelling cut flowers in a vase. If you like to

use scented candles, opt for petroleum-free versions made from beeswax or soy wax.

Get the lead out

Lead is a commonplace and dangerous neurotoxin that can be found in paint, in many houses. As

it chips and chafes from walls, windowsills, woodwork and other surfaces it can get into dust from

which it can more easily enter our bodies. That goes especially for little ones, whose immune

systems are not as tough. Learn how to detect lead paint or have your home professionally tested,

then, if necessary, have the paint removed by a lead-abatement specialist. Whether you have got

a lead problem or not, when it comes time to repaint walls, look for low-VOC paints, which

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contains much fewer of the chemicals responsible for health problems, which range from

headaches to cancer.

Toxins in the floor coverings

Wall-to-wall carpeting can be a source of mould, dust mites and other allergens, as well as VOCs from plastic

backings. If you have the option, opt for wood or bamboo floors (ideally the wood will come from sustainably

managed sources) treated with a nontoxic finish, cork, which has natural antibacterial properties and comes

from a renewable resources, as well as linoleum (lino), which is made from linseed oil, are other good choices.

For added coziness, rugs made from wool, cotton, hemp, or jute add warmth but are easy to clean without

chemical cleaners.

Radon Alert!

To further ensure a healthy indoor environment test your home for radon, a radioactive gas. The U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency estimates that one out of every 15 American homes has elevated levels of

radon. To make sure yours does not, purchase an inexpensive do-it-yourself radon testing-kit from any

hardware store or hire a qualified radon tester. Frighteningly, radon toxicity has been linked to leukemia in

children.

THE NURSERY

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Dress organically While the pesticides used to grow conventional cotton will not rub off onto your baby's

skin, you can rest easier knowing that organic fabrics have done less harm to our fledgling planet. Fixatives

that make clothing wrinkle-free, stain-resistant, or flame-retardant, however, may affect your baby’s health.

For these reasons, baby gear made from hemp, organic Merino wool and organic cotton are preferable eco-

choices, while fair-trade clothes ensure your clothes were made for kids, not by kids.

Safe play Not all toys that seem cute are safe. Take the good old rubber ducky, for example, which can pack a

toxic punch if it contains PVC and no one can forget the lead-paint scare. To make sure they are not harmful,

look for labels that claim playthings are PVC-free and nontoxic and learn how to make sure that the toys you

bring home are toxin-free. We also like wood toys with non-toxic finishes, which not only have old-timey

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charm, but also last forever. Check out TreeHugger's guide on How to Green Your Kids Toys

(http://www.treehugger.com/htgg/how-to-go-green-kids-toys.html)

Decorate with care

As in the rest of house, decorating a nursery or playroom with green, natural materials will keep your little

one's indoor environment safe. To start, forego wall-to-wall carpets in favor of hardwood or cork flooring and

area rugs, and add color with low-VOC paints. To avoid exposure to formaldehyde and other VOCs, pass over

conventional pressed-wood furnishings made from materials such as MDF or plywood. Solid wood trumps the

cheap stuff every time, second-hand stuff is a great idea as well. You can throw on a new coat of non-toxic

finish to spruce up older pieces.

Food for thought

Who wants to spend time worrying about whether their baby's food is filled with refined sugars, genetically

modified substances, chemicals, preservatives or artificial additives and persistent organic pollutants (POPS!)?

Instead, know exactly what your little munchkin is eating by making your own baby food from organic fruit

and vegetables. It is a snap and I promise it will not take any longer than it would to vet what is on the

ingredients list of that store bought container. Special equipment includes a cooking-blender, ice-cube trays

and glass containers. Check out ThermoMix (www.thermomix.com.au).

Safe sipping

Dummies (pacifiers), bottles and sippy cups. Much of the current debate hovers around a chemical called

bisphenol A or BPA, which may leach from plastic into liquids and disrupt normal hormone function. Look for

bottles made without BPA or made from glass, although anyone who has seen a raging two year old toss his

milk across the room know this is not always the most feasible choice. This was until a Californian mum, with

a design background, started making glass bottles with silicon sleeves, which you can find at LifeFactory

(www.lifefactory.com). To further protect your little angel, opt for bacteria-resistant silicone nipples and

never PVC.

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THE BEDROOMS

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Sleep easier

For over five years now, all mattresses sold in the USA, UK and Australia are required to meet stringent fire

safety tests. While fire retardants serve the very important purposes of reducing risks associated with fire,

some, such as boric acid and antimony, have been identified as carcinogens. Greener mattress makers opt for

materials such as natural latex, wool and melamine, which reduce exposure to toxins and avoid stain- and

water-repellent finishes, which can be sources of formaldehyde. They may cost more, but trust me, you and

your family will sleep a lot more soundly. If you want to make bedtime safer, but are not ready to invest in a

new mattress, a hypoallergenic cover can create an added barrier between you and what you are sleeping on.

Furnishings

Materials such as varnishes, finishes, particle board and MDF in many furnishings can off-gas volatile organic

compounds which can cause poor indoor air quality and are associated with health problems such as eye and

skin irritation, respiratory problems, headaches, nausea and liver and kidney damage. To keep your interior

up to snuff, look for furnishings made from solid wood or that use low-VOC materials and finishes.

Get better linens and things

Cotton is the world's most-sprayed crop when it comes to pesticides and while those toxins will not likely rub

off on your skin, keeping them out of the ground makes a big difference in eco-systems where the crop is

grown. Luckily, organic cotton sheets are increasingly easy to find, as are eco-friendly pillows stuffed with

buckwheat or natural latex.

Cozy and warm

Bedtime should be all about getting snuggly, so throw an extra blanket on that bed and then turn down the

heat a few degrees before hitting the sack in winter, which will help you save energy and a few dollars on

your bills. Worried about waking up to a chilly house? Using a programmable heater, which works like a timer,

means you can get your house all toasty again before morning.

Electric blankets emit radiation that can adversely affect your fertility and immune health. Go back to a good

old-fashioned feather doona or woollen blankets with a hot water bottle, it is far more romantic and cuddly!

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Candles in the house Everyone knows that cigarette smoke clogs up the air, but most people don't consider

the soot that traditional paraffin candles spit out. If you love the mood of a dimly lit room, but dislike the idea

of compromising your health, soy or beeswax candles, which are virtually free from soot and toxins, offer a

terrific alternative. Look for varieties scented with essential oil and those that have wicks containing no

metals.

THE KITCHEN

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Consider the health of your kitchen by removing some everyday kitchen products and replacing them with

safer alternatives (even if you do this over time). Many of the products that I recommend you remove have a

negative impact on your endocrine system, central nervous system and reproductive system. Lower the stress

with these “top swaps” to reduce the chemical load in your kitchen.

1. Replace synthetic food dyes: Switch to natural food colours for baking, etc. Benefit = calmer kids!

2. Replace plastic: Package food in glass and skip containers #3, #6 and #7 by understanding kitchen plastic.

Look for PCB free plastic or buy Pyrex glass to store food in- glass if much safer, more sterile and easier to

clean. Ditch the cling film. The more flexible the plastic, the more dangerous it is (ie higher phthalate

content).

3. Replace Teflon-coated cookware. For healthier options choose stainless steel, glass, or porcelain-coated

pans. Trash the Teflon.

4. Replace disinfectants. Check your soap, sponges and sprays to see if they are made with triclosan or other

synthetic disinfectants. Go instead for natural soap with antibacterial essential oils.

5. Replace pesticides. Avoid any and all-synthetic pesticides or pesticide servicing for integrated pest

management and choose non-toxic alternatives. Make sure you have a fruit and vegie rinse (ie white vinegar)

to wash the surface agricultural chemicals off your food.

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6. Replace all cleaning products that have a “signal word” like “caution”. Clean the oven for the holidays

with baking soda, no elbow grease and no fumes.

7. Replace dishwashing powder and dishwashing detergents. Find eco friendly non-toxic alternatives, such as

Eco Store products. Dishwashing tablets wrapped in dissolvable plastic are even more toxic, as the plastic

dissolves and leaves additional chemical residue on your dishes and glasses, from which you eat and drink.

8. Ditch the surface spray. Replace it with an eco friendly version or a simple solution of tea tree and

eucalyptus oil in a water solution. You can pop this into a spray bottle and refill, as you need. This will cut

surface grease and grime while also disinfecting and removing biofilms.

9. Clean up your tap water. Remove the hundreds of chemical and toxins in your tap water by investing in a

good quality water filter. Look for a Doulton carbon-ceramic filter system or a reverse osmosis system.

Alkaline water is also great for your health. The Water Shop (www. watershop.com.au) is a great Australian

supplier of premium quality water filters for all budgets and households.

10. Rethink the microwave. The microwave is the most powerful source of household radiation toxicity. Every

time you use it, it emits EMF’s and irradiates your food, damaging and denaturing proteins, minerals, vitamins

and enzymes. Please, I beg you never microwave your food, not even to reheat or defrost. Unplug it and

dump it on the side of the road at our next counsel pick up! If you don't have one, you can’t be tempted into

using it!

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AND FINALLY THE DIRTY DOZEN- THE WORSE AND MOST TOXIC CHEMICALS AT HOME!

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Arsenic

Arsenic is a chemical element that occurs naturally in the environment. Where it is found: contaminated

drinking water and copper-chromium-arsenate treated timber. Linked health risks: developmental delays,

lowered IQ, behavioural problems and infertility.

Bisphenol A

Bisphenol A is a synthetic chemical. Where it is found: plastic baby bottles, teethers, some plastic water

bottles, lining of metal food cans and some other products made from plastic. Linked health risks: endocrine

problems, cancer, infertility and hyperactivity. Thankfully it is now possible to buy glass baby bottles and

other storage and beverage containers that do not contain Bisphenol A.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is a highly toxic gas. It does not have a smell or colour. Where it is found: gas stoves and

auto exhaust (from nearby traffic or your garage attached to your house). Linked health risks: headaches,

dizziness, cardiovascular failure, nervous system failure and death.

Chlorine Bleach

Chlorine is a highly toxic gas. It is one of the most common household toxins. Many people like to use it to

clean, brighten and whiten their laundry. Where it is found: household cleaners and chlorine bleach. Linked

health risks: eye irritation, skin irritation, respiratory problems and infertility.

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is used as a preservative and disinfectant. It is a common ingredient in textile finishing

products. It is also used to make resins for different purposes. Where it is found: anything made from

particleboard, furniture, carpets, some latex paints, dish washing liquids, carpet cleaners, some permanent

press fabrics, fabric softeners, adhesives, glues, nail polish and nail hardener.

Linked health risks: nausea, dizziness, fatigue, sore throat, burning eyes, burning nose and infertility.

Lead

Lead keeps epidemiologists returning to the drawing board, says Soloway, "mostly because we know more

now about the adverse effects of low-level exposure". Levels once thought to be acceptable are now known

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contributors to learning disabilities and behavioural problems. Lead is found in paint in older houses, old

plumbing and soil near highways and busy roads. Linked health risks: it causes neurological and kidney

damage, high blood pressure, disrupted blood cell production and reproductive problems.

Perchloroethylene (Perc)

Perc is a volatile organic compound that is mostly used in the dry cleaning process. Where it is found: newly

dry-cleaned clothing. Linked health risks: drowsiness, loss of coordination, mild memory loss and dizziness.

Perfluorinated Chemicals (PFC)

PFC's are used to make non-stick surfaces and stain-repellents. Where they are found: microwave popcorn

bags, non-stick pans, carpets, scratch and stain resistant materials, fabric and cleaning products. Linked health

risks: developmental problems in children and may cause cancer.

Pesticides

Chlordane, aldrin and dieldrin were all banned for nearly two decades, however continue to show up,

airborne, in older houses. Where they are found: food (mostly non-organic produce), bug sprays and grasses

that has been sprayed. Linked health risks: nerve damage, cancer, birth defects, developmental problems and

reproductive problems.

Phthalates

Phthalates are "plasticizers." They are used to soften plastics and make them more flexible and resilient. They

give lotions their consistency. Where they are found: plastics (bottles, toys, storage containers, teethers,

shower curtains, plastic bags, food wraps), cosmetics, personal care products (nail polish, soap, perfume,

deodorant, shampoo and hair spray), detergents and vinyl flooring. Linked health risks: developmental

problems in children, hormone disruption and reproductive problems.

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

PVC is the source of "new car smell": The plastic interior of a new car off gasses this known carcinogen. Water

sitting in PVC pipes overnight may also be steeping into a toxic tea. Very large exposures can lead to "vinyl

chloride disease," which causes severe liver damage. PVC is a plastic that is used to make many different

products. Where it is found: shower curtains, bottles, imitation leather, flooring, window frames, window

blinds and pipes. Linked health risks: liver damage, damage to your lungs, central nervous system problems

and reproductive problems.

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Triclosan

Triclosan is antibacterial. Where it is found: liquid hand soaps, dish detergents, cleaning products, some

toothpastes, toys and bedding. Linked health risks: endocrine system dysfunction and immune system

dysfunction.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

VOC's are gases and vapours that contain carbon. They contribute to the formation of smog. Where they are

found: cleaning products, hair spray, cosmetics, deodorants, perfume, cleaning products, carpets, paint, paint

strippers, varnishes, air fresheners and dry cleaning. VOC's are released into the air as gases. Linked health

risks: cancer, allergies, asthma, neurological problems, reproductive problems and developmental problems.

Radon

is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, warns the Surgeon General. Radon is a natural

radioactive gas that can seep into homes through cracks in the basement, the surrounding foundation and in

well water. It enters the body quietly through the airways.

BRANDS OF STUFF WE LOVE:

Eco Store www.ecostoreaustralia.com.au Method www.methodhome.com Dr Bronner

www.drbronner.com.au Enjo www.enjo.com.au

POT PLANTS FOR THE HOME AND OFFICE THAT AID DETOXIFICATION OF YOUR LIVING AND WORKING

SPACE

These are the top 10 plants that aid in

the removal of indoor toxins, according

to Dr Bill Wolverton’s studies at NASA.

IVY

Excellent for an overall clean-up of toxins

from the air

DRAGON TREE

This evergreen is ideal for the office as it

absorbs tricloroethylene and xylene from

computers, printers and chipboard desks.

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ARECA PALM Humidifies the air and removes all toxins

that science has identified from the air.

The Malaysian native plant looks like a

typical palm tree.

BOSTON FERN Boosts humidity and removes chemical

vapours, such as formaldehyde, which

can be found in some furnishings.

WEEPING FIG A good all-round air filter.

PEACE LILY Very good at filtering benzene,

formaldehyde and bio-effluents from the

air. It improves moisture content of dry

indoor areas.

GERBERA Removes chemical vapours while

humidifying the air.

DRACENA Exceptionally cleansing for air, it

tolerates poor light and dry air and filters

benzene from any indoor areas.

RUBBER PLANT This perennial favourite is very good at

clearing formaldehyde.

CHRYSANTHEMUM One of the best flowers for removing

formaldehyde, benzene and ammonia

from the air.