In recent years, my wife and I, both in our mid-30s and early 40s, decided to embark on an exciting new chapter of our lives—we wanted to have a baby. As we prepared for this significant milestone, we became increasingly aware of the potential impact of environmental toxins on fertility and overall health. We were constantly bombarded with information about how toxins in our environment could affect people’s fertility and exacerbate autoimmune diseases. Determined to give ourselves the best chance of conceiving and ensuring a healthy environment for our future child, we committed to ridding our home of as many toxins as possible.
Understanding Toxins
A toxin is any substance that can cause adverse effects on humans, animals, plants, or other organisms. They are prevalent in everyday items like cleaning products, cosmetics, and personal care items. Many toxins are artificially produced for industrial use, such as lead, mercury, arsenic, pesticides, and radiation, which are commonly used to create more potent or long-lasting products. These toxins have been linked to severe health issues, including cancer, asthma, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and other chronic conditions. Understanding these dangers fueled our commitment to transitioning to a toxin-free lifestyle.
Understanding that many “toxins” are deemed safe in a small dose is true. Consider that water at the wrong dose will kill you; Wikipedia puts it at 6 liters of water in 3 hours, which could cause serious problems. Something that my wife and I found when looking at ingredients was that several products with different uses had the same “toxic chemical” at a safe dose. Our thinking is that, yes, one small dose of the chemical could be deemed safe, but regulations don’t look at a cumulative dose. When several products in your environment have the same chemicals in them, the dose changes, and how is this accounted for? This is the train of thought we had. When we decided to embark on this journey, we weren’t trying to be paranoid or extreme about it; we were looking to see what would work for us in our household and what chemicals are realistic for us to remove or reduce in our environment.
Transitioning to a Non-Toxic Lifestyle
At first, the idea of eliminating toxins from our lives felt daunting. The costs of organic items and doubts about the efficacy of natural products were significant barriers. However, as we delved deeper into this journey, the transition became more manageable and second nature. We learned to be more aware of our sensitivities to toxins and found ways to reduce costs significantly. The long-term benefits, particularly in light of our desire to conceive, made the effort worthwhile.
Product Labelling and Certifications
Understanding product labels and certifications was crucial in our journey. We learned to distinguish between terms like biodynamic, certified organic, and natural. Biodynamic farming, for instance, is a form of organic agriculture that balances nature’s cycles with human needs, while certified organic products must be free of various synthetic chemicals and animal testing. Knowing how to prioritize these certifications helped us make informed decisions when purchasing toxin-free products.
Improving Indoor Air Quality
Improving the air quality in our home was a top priority. We started by opening windows to allow for better air circulation and added air-purifying plants throughout our home. We also invested in Air Doctor air purifiers, which significantly improved the air quality in our home and office.
Non-Toxic Kitchen
One of our first significant changes was in the kitchen. We replaced all non-stick cookware with cast iron, stainless steel, and ceramic options. We upgraded from plastic to glass food storage containers and started using Stasher bags and wax wraps to eliminate plastics. We also focused on buying organic produce, especially the “dirty dozen,” and sourced our food from local farmers’ markets whenever possible.
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Non-Toxic Cleaning Solutions
For cleaning supplies, we switched to Branch Basics and Nature’s Miracle, which are both non-toxic and effective. Buying store-bought cleaners isn’t required; homemade cleaning solutions with baking soda and vinegar work just as well as store-bought cleaners without hazardous chemicals. Reducing the number of specific cleaning products by using multipurpose cleaners also made our cleaning routine simpler and safer. One great benefit of Branch Basics is that it’s the same cleaning solution at different concentrations for each use. Using it for laundry, it is quite concentrated, but for general purposes and glass cleaning, it is very dilute. I was skeptical about this at first, but once I saw it in action, I feel like Branch Basics is a useful product if you’re trying to go chemical-free.
Essential Oils and Pet Safety
It is often stated that if you make your own cleaning solutions at home, add some essential oils to make them smell better. As nice as this is, I would caution against it if you have pets at home, as it is found that some essential oils may be safe for us but are toxic to cats and dogs.
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Personal Care and Cosmetics
Our skin, being the largest organ, absorbs many toxins through personal care products. We switched to natural and organic alternatives for items like toothpaste, deodorant, cologne, and makeup. Finding high-quality natural products for skincare and cosmetics was a challenge, but the health benefits made the effort worthwhile.
Household Items and Practices
We made several changes to reduce toxins in our household items and practices. We replaced plastic shower curtains with fabric ones, avoided using dryer sheets, and opted for natural materials like wood and wool for household items. Regular cleaning, not wearing shoes inside, and using doormats helped reduce allergens and dust particles.
Cost-Effective Strategies
Maintaining a toxin-free lifestyle can be expensive, but we found ways to manage costs. Using baking soda and vinegar for cleaning, buying in bulk, and sourcing locally helped us stay within budget. Additionally, we realized the importance of advocating for better regulations to ensure harmful chemicals are not used in household products.
Conclusion
Our journey towards a toxin-free home has been both challenging and rewarding. By making informed choices and gradually incorporating non-toxic practices into our daily lives, we have created a healthier environment for ourselves and our future child. We encourage anyone considering this lifestyle to start small, stay committed, and prioritize their health and well-being. The benefits of a toxin-free home extend beyond personal health, contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly world.