The old saying goes, ‘you are what you eat’, however it is more than just what’s in your fridge that is contributing to your family’s health. In fact, it’s what’s in your cleaning cupboard, bathroom drawers – and even the candle you light – that could be causing you more harm than good.
According to Professor Marc Cohen*, a recent study found that eating 80 per cent organic food over one week reduced pesticides metabolised by over 90 per cent.
To clean up your house and health, here are his top tips for ridding nasty toxins from your home.
The dirty dozen
There are certain fruits and vegetables that are soft skin and soak up the pesticide when they are sprayed! Ensure you switch these to certified organic when it comes to strawberries, spinach, nectarines, apples, peaches, pears, cherries, grapes, celery, tomatoes, capsicum and kale and other leafy veggies.
The chicken and the egg
Not only do fresh farm eggs taste better but organic chicken and eggs in your diet are essential when clearing toxins from your body due. Not only is buying organic better for your health but it is more ethical when it comes to meat, dairy and animal products! Remember what the animal is eating, you are eating too when it comes to eggs and dairy.
Burning the candle at both ends
When it comes to cleanliness, a clean house should smell like fresh air but not the kind produced with the word parfum or fragrance on the bottle. If you are a candle lover, switch to organic bees wax or make sure you are using pure essential oils.
If you can’t say it you shouldn’t buy it
If you cannot pronounce or identify any of the ingredients on the label, you should generally keep it out of the shopping trolley.
You wear what you wash with
When it comes to your clothes make sure you pay attention when purchasing commercial washing powders and liquids with many chemicals linked to skin irritations including eczema, rosacea and rashes. Keep your eye out for eco alternatives in the cleaning aisle and the Australian Certified Organic ‘Bud’ to keep the whole family itch free.
Your personal space
Your skin is your largest growing organ so make sure you keep an eye on all the creams, lotions and potions you are rubbing onto your body and are being absorbed through to your blood stream. There are amazing certified organic options now with more and more beauty brands moving towards a la natural ingredients.
The cleaning cloth
When it comes to cleaning surfaces, swapping out your usual products for toxin free alternatives will still have your house spick and span with none of the nasties. Also, a damp micro-fibre cloth does wonders and will help you cut back on products.
Pest management
Instead of spraying the creepy crawlies try using physical barriers and starve them of shelter, food and water so they don’t come back.
No more germs
Skip the antibacterial wipes and washes and make some simple changes like leaving your shoes at the door, investing in a great vacuum and airing out rugs and blankets in the sun which is the best antibacterial of them all.
This September is Organic Awareness Month. Look out for Australian Certified Organic ‘Bud’ logo displayed on products to ensure your purchases are in fact certified organic. Head to the website to find out more about Organic Awareness Month.
* Professor Marc Cohen is a registered GP with degrees in physiology and psychological medicine, as well as PhDs in Chinese medicine and biomedical engineering, he blends leading-edge evidence based medical science with holistic health approaches, creating accessible solutions for the wellness conscious community.
This article originally appeared on BHG.
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