As I continue to make healthy changes in my
    home, I often think back to the way that my
    grandmother and great-grandmother did
    things. It was a much simpler time, a less
    disposable time, and definitely a less toxic time.

    By turning back the clock, and adapting a less
    is more approach, it is easy to create a clean
    and healthy environment. There are hundreds
    of commercial cleaning products on the
    market designed to do the job quicker. They
    are not necessary, and can be very harmful.
    Doing things "the old fashioned way" may not
    be quite as convenient, but is well worth the
    extra effort.

    Less is more. Once I eliminated all of the  
    unnecessary products, chemically treated
    fabrics, and other sources of toxic clutter  in
    my home and moved towards a more simple
    approach to life; it has helped create not only
    a healthier environment, but a less stressful
    one.


  • When possible, open windows to let in fresh air.

  • Add plants such as Peace Lily, Spider Plants, Golden Pothos,
       Philodendrum, or Bamboo Palm to naturally clean the air inside.

  • Use a good vacuum with a HEPA filter.

  • Install a water filtration system, a shower filter, and reverse
       osmosis system for clean drinking, cooking, and bathing water.

  • Install carbon monoxide detectors.

  • Plant an organic garden. If you do not have a lot of yard space,
    use a window box or pots.

  • Use an air purifier with a HEPA filter.

  • Use flannel or untreated cotton percale sheets instead of
       cotton/polyester blends (treated with formaldehyde)

  • Cover synthetic pillows with organic cotton slipcovers, or use  
    feather pillows.

  • Store food in steel, glass, or ceramic instead of plastic
    containers.

  • Choose wood furniture instead of pressed wood.

  • Choose tile or bamboo flooring over carpet.

  • Go to environmentally friendly dry cleaners, or do not buy clothes
    that require dry cleaning.

  • Use biodynamic insect repellents or natural herbal repellents.

  • Use organic cleaning products, or make your own.
Autism Angels Network
Healthy Changes For A Less Toxic Home
"The ability to simplify
means to eliminate the
unnecessary so that the
necessary may speak."  
~Hans Hofmann

    Laundry tip:

    Buy laundry detergant free of dyes, fragrances, masking agents, and chlorine when on sale.
    Use 1/3 baking soda, 1/3 borax, and 1/3 laundry detergent in your washing machine. This
    cleans, deodorizes, and stretches your dollar while doing laundry.

    Fabric softener:

    Because of his sensitivities to fabric, I used to overuse fabric softener in Jake's laundry. I
    now use vinegar in place of fabric softener, and it works just as well, without the
    overpowering chemicals. Vinegar also eliminates odors from clothing.

    For a wonderful book of 150 easy herbal formulas for green cleaning, you can purchase The
    Naturally Clean Home through our online store.

 Healthy Changes You Can Make:

    You can find many of the
    recommended             
    products listed at the
    right through our
    online store.

    A percentage of each  
    purchase made will be
    donated directly to
    Autism Angels Network,
    and help us fulfill our
    mission to help children
    on the autism spectrum.
     
                                                                           Toxins in Textiles

    Most synthetic fabrics are treated with chemicals either during or after processing. The addition of chemicals such as
    formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds, perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) and petrochemicals to man-made fabrics are used
    for many reasons:  

  • To  make fibers suitable for spinning and weaving.  

  • To prevent shrinkage.

  • To add coloring.  

  • To make clothing softer, wrinkle-free, fire-retardant, moth repellant, and stain resistant.

  • To make clothing last longer.

    If possible, stay away from synthetic clothing. Synthetic fibers treated with polycrylonitriles may be carcinogenic. Those made
    from petrochemicals, create nitrous oxide (which is 310 times more potent than carbon dioxide). Others are made from wood
    pulp, that has been treated with caustic soda and sulphuric acid.  Clothing and fabric made with flame-retardant chemicals emit
    formaldehyde gas. The chemicals used in the production of synthetic clothing have been linked to cancer,
    immune system damage, behavioral problems, and hormone disruption.

    Synthetic Fibers To Avoid:

  • Acetate
  • Acrylic
  • Nylon
  • Polyester
  • Rayon
  • Triacetate

    If natural fabrics are not an option, wash synthetic clothing several times in warm soapy water to reduce
    chemical exposure.


    Natural Fabrics to Choose:

  • Cashmere
  • Cotton
  • Hemp
  • Linen
  • Silk
  • Wool

    Choose organic cotton when possible, to avoid chemicals, as cotton is treated with pesticides when grown.

    *Avoid dry cleaning when possible, or look for environmentally friendly dry cleaners. The chemical
    perchloroethylene, used in dry cleaning, is a volatile organic compound which is known to cause cancer in
    animals.