As I’m writing this, we are still amidst a global pandemic and many people are stuck indoors. I thought, what better timing to write about air quality in our homes than when we are spending so much time inside of them!
You spend so much time in your home, so ensuring the air quality is pure and safe is essential to your overall health.
Check out a few of the ways I purify the air in my home, naturally!
Indoor Plants
Many houseplants have been found to filter the air of harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene, to name a few. Houseplants are typically low-maintenance, so if you, like me, have a “black thumb” (aka- you kill any plant you own) then these are great for you! I have a pothos plant in my bedroom. Other popular houseplants are the snake plant, dracaena, and the spider plant.
Essential Oils
Diffusing essential oils not only purifies the air, but they smell great, too! Essential oils offer a myriad of health benefits- I love diffusing citrus oils to purify the air during the day (such as lemon, grapefruit and orange) and then I diffuse lavender and eucalyptus oil while I sleep. You always want to use a cold diffuser and don’t heat the oils because they lose many of their antibacterial and antimicrobial properties when heated. Not all essential oils are created equal- go for therapeutic- grade or “food grade” essential oils to ensure they are safe for you and your family.
Beeswax Candles
Throw out your paraffin candles- those things release contaminants when they are burning! (I seriously can’t believe the FDA still allows companies to sell paraffin candles… but I digress). Beeswax burns clean and has actually been shown to clean the air as it burns. Beeswax produces negative ions when it burns, and those ions neutralize pollutants in the air. Beeswax also burns more slowly than paraffin, so these candles last a lot longer!
Salt Lamps
Himalayan Salt Lamps have increased in popularity in the last few years, and for good reason! Just like the beeswax candles, salt lamps release negative ions into the air, neutralizing pollutants. They also have been known to neutralize odors. These are great for people with allergies or asthma, and great as a source of light at night.
Green Cleaning Products
Pay attention to the ingredients list on your cleaning products- you could be spraying toxic chemicals into the air all day, and you and your family are breathing them in! I personally love to use natural cleaning products such as vinegar, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide whenever possible. I also love Thieves essential oil mixed with water to clean surfaces- it’s a natural antibacterial and smells great, too.
Pest Control
Many pesticides are extremely harmful to humans and pets (I’m looking at you, Ortho and Raid!). Of course, we don’t wants bugs in our homes, but spraying toxic chemicals inside and outside your house to prevent bugs is like one step forward and two steps back for your overall health and wellbeing.
My favorite natural pest control is Diatomaceous Earth. It’s cheap, works great, and is safe for humans and animals to consume. It’s a fine white powder that kills anything with an exoskeleton- it’s great for fleas, ants, and roaches to name a few. Sprinkle a thin layer on the floor around doors, under cabinets, and in corners. Use it when you have an infestation, or for bug prevention.
Got fruit flies in your kitchen? Fill a small cup with a bit of apple cider vinegar, then put a piece of plastic wrap on top, using a rubber band to seal it tautly. Using a knife, poke tiny holes in the plastic. Leave it by your sink and after a couple of days, all the flies will have gone in the cup!
What are your favorite chemical-free ways to purify the air in your home?
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