8 Simple Steps to Detoxify Home for a Healthier Living Space

Did you know that the air inside your home could be up to five times more than the air outside? In some cases, it can even be 100 times worse - That's why it's crucial to detoxify home environments from harmful toxins and improve your air quality!

Over 99% of the world's population live in homes that exceed the World Health Organisation's (WHO) indoor air quality limits. Household air pollution contributes to over 3.2 million deaths globally every year, which is shocking considering that our homes are meant to be our safe haven.

What's Polluting your Home?

While burning solid fuels like wood and coal is a major contributor, everyday activities like cooking, cleaning and even lighting candles can release dangerous chemicals into your space, affecting indoor air quality. From furniture, mattresses and clothing to laundry detergents, many common household products are packed with toxic chemicals that cause a plethora of health problems like allergies, hormone imbalances, and chronic health problems.

But here's the good news: you can detoxify home easily with a few simple changes! This non-toxic living guide will walk you through eight easy steps to help you to reduce toxins, improve air quality and swap harmful products with non-toxic home essentials - helping you create a healthier, happier living space for you and your family.

What is Home Detoxification?

Think of home detoxification as a health upgrade. It's all about reducing your exposure to dangerous chemicals lurking in everyday items and making mindful choices to switch to safer, non-toxic products. It's not about it being perfect, but rather enjoying the process of making your home toxin-free one step at a time.

A study published in Environmental Science & Technology found 45 potentially harmful chemicals in household products like vinyl flooring, home furnishings, and personal care products. Co-author Veena Singla warns "Harmful chemicals used in everyday products and building materials result in widespread contamination of our homes - these dangerous chemicals should be replaced with safer alternatives."

Why its important?

Even if you're don't realize it, you're constantly exposed to toxins that accumulate in your body over time. Scientists refer to this as your 'body burden' - the total chemical load from all the various products you use daily.

Even at low exposures, these chemicals build up and can affect multiple organ systems, increasing the risk of long-term health problems.

Home Detoxification: Identifying Sources of Pollution

A 2020 study found 271 compounds in household dust. These included pesticides (38 types), surfactants (30 types), cosmetic-related chemicals (28 types), which many detected in 50% of all dust samples from peoples homes!

So, even if you keep your home spotless, invisible pollutants can still linger - some of the biggest sources include:

• Toxic cleaning products - Many contain ammonia, chlorine, and artificial fragrance release harmful fumes that irritate your lungs and skin

• Kitchen Hazards- Nonstick cookware (Teflon) and gas stoves release toxic fumes that can linger in your kitchen air

• Off-gassing furniture and flooring - Pressed wood furniture, vinyl flooring, paints and carpets emit VOCs (volatile organic compounds) over time

• Hidden allergens in household dust - Dust mites, mold spores, pet dander and dangerous chemicals settle in household dust, affecting air quality

• Personal care product overload - Many shampoos, body washes and cosmetics sneak in endocrine-disrupting chemicals masked under vague terms like 'fragrance'

• Hidden toxins in bedding and upholstery - Pillows, sofas and mattresses may contain flame retardants and shed microplastics!

• Water contamination risks - Tap water may contain lead, pesticides and even forever chemicals (PFAS), which do not break down in the body

How Do You Detox Your House? Practical Steps

1. Improve Indoor Air Quality Naturally

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) most people spend 90% of your time indoors - so the quality of your home's air matters! Poor air quality has been linked to health problems like asthma, cognitive issues, and even cancer. But don't worry - you can freshen your air naturally - it can be as simple as opening your windows!

How to Detox Your Air from VOCs

• Open your windows daily - Let the fresh air in and stale air out - by keeping humidity levels between 30-50%you reduce mold and dust mite build-up and improve indoor air quality

• Use air-purifying plants - Snake plants, peace lilies and aloe vera act as natural air filters. (Seriously, my snake plant has made a significant difference!)

• Invest in a HEPA air purifier - These trap fine particles, allergens and VOCs to keep your air fresh

• Leave shoes at the door - Outdoor pollutants like pesticides and dirt can easily track inside and bring contaminants indoors. Get yourself a shoe rack near your door, and remember to always remove your shoes when you walk inside

• Ditch the toxic candles - Paraffin wax candles release harmful VOCs. Swap them for beeswax or soy candlesthat burn cleanly!

2. Say Goodbye to Toxic Cleaning Products & Air Fresheners Riddled with Fragrance and VOCs

Many store-bought cleaning products and air fresheners contain harsh chemicals like ammonia, chlorine, and hormone-disrupting chemicals like phthalates and synthetic fragrances. These linger in the air and can trigger health issues like allergies, hormone imbalances, and even respiratory problems.

Did you know many air fresheners release over 100 chemicals - including VOCs and carcinogens like benzene and toluene? Even the ones labeled 'natural' or 'green' aren't always safe!

Try These Safer Solutions

• Switch to non-toxic cleaning products - some great options are Branch Basics, Seventh Generation (my personal favourite, all of my products are from here, as they're available from the supermarket), ECOS

• Look for fragrance-free options - Avoid synthetic scents in cleaning products and air fresheners, these often contain phthalates- the hormone disrupting chemical!

• DIY your cleaners - Vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils make powerful natural cleaning products and work wonders. Don't believe me? Give it a go and check out our DIY natural cleaners article for a step by step guide in making your own homemade cleaners!

• Ditch synthetic air fresheners - Instead use non-toxic air fresheners, essential oil diffusers, natural potpouurri or simmer herbs and citrus peels on the stove - for a natural aroma that circulates your whole home!

3. Creating a Healthier Kitchen: Smarter Food Storage & Safer Cooking

Your kitchen may be one of the most toxic rooms in the house containing many toxic home products! Cooking alone releases harmful chemicals like particulate matters (PMs), VOCs, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. If your kitchen isn't well ventilated, these toxins can reach harmful levels and even increase risk of respiratory health issues like asthma.

Easy Kitchen Home Detox Swaps

• Upgrade your non-stick cookware (Teflon) - Overheating teflon pans releases toxic PFAS, also known as "forever chemicals", which are especially hard to get rid of, in the environment and in your body too! Toss the teflon and try a cast-iron or stainless steel - these options are long lasting and free from toxic emissions!

• Switch to glass (my favourite) or stainless steel rather than plastic containers for your food avoid endocrine disruptors - plastic containers contain BPA and phthalates that leach into your food, especially when microwaved and can deposit microplastics in your food.

• Go wooden with cutting boards - I have and never looked back - wood is durable, better for the environment and can reduce microplastic contamination in your food

4. How to Detoxify your Bedroom?

Ever wonder why you wake up feeling groggy? It may not be your sleep but the toxins in your bedding or surroundings - Your mattress and even sofas 'off-gas' chemical like VOC for years after they enter your home. Your mattress, bedding, and pillows are filled with flame retardants, synthetic dyes, and VOCs that pollute your indoor air quality!

How to Detox Your Bedroom from VOCs:

• Choose organic bedding made from natural fibers opt for cotton, wool, or linen that are free of toxic dyes and treatments! Your skin will thank you!

• Go non-toxic with your mattress - GOTs-certified or natural latex mattresses are best to avoid VOCs and flame retardants

• Use fragrance-free laundry detergent - skip the synthetic fragrance, and try out a more gentle, eco-friendly alternative that keep your bedding fresh and clean without irritating your skin.

• Let your new furniture breathe - new furniture must air out before bringing it inside your home, to prevent VOCs accumulating in your house!

5. Water Purification: Ensuring Safe Drinking Water Free From PFAS

We all assume our tap water is safe, but did you know it could be loaded with toxins like lead, pesticides and pharmaceuticals, and PFAS? All these chemicals resist in our environment - and in our bodies - for years!

Eliminating toxins from your water

• Filter it out - thankfully, water filters like NSF-certified filters (carbon filters, gravity-fed filters or reverse osmosis systems) are great for removing contaminants and improving your water quality. I use a Brita, and you'd be surprised the difference in taste too!

• Ditch plastic bottles - be a convert to glass or stainless steel bottles to reduce microplastic exposure, and this will also save you buying bottles when you're out and about!

6. Declutter and Dust: Minimize Toxin-Trapping Surfaces

Dust is loaded with chemicals, like VOCs, heavy metals and flame retardants. So, best believe if you do not regularly clean, these will build up overtime and impact your air quality - the more clutter you have, the more places these toxins can accumulate!

How to Reduce Household toxins:

• Vacuum with a HEPA-filter - these filters great for trapping fine particles and allergens effectively that regular vacuums miss, give your home a deeper clean

• Adopt a minimilist approach - fewer knickknacks means fewer places to collect, and fewer things to clean. Plus, your space will feel more open and relaxing

• Use cloths and wet mops - say goodbye to your dry duster that pushes dust around. Cloths are better at trapping dust, and a wet mop will ensure this dust is gone!

• Wash soft surfaces regularly - curtains, rugs and bedding are dust magnets, toss them in the wash to keep your home cleaner and your air fresher

7. Detox Your Bathroom: Ditch the Phthalates and Parabens!

Your bathroom may be hiding many hidden chemicals like parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrance - even some of the so-called 'natural' products organised on your shelves can hide harmful organic chemicals that contribute to hormone disruption and skin irritation.

Since 2009, 595 cosmetic manufacturers have reported using 88 harmful chemicals in over 73,000 products, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG). Many of these chemicals have been linked to birth defects and reproductive harm, and some have even been banned in other countries—yet they still appear in everyday personal care products.

Upgrade Your Bathroom: Clean Beauty Essentials

• Go organise with personal care products - Look for brands free of parabens, sulphates and synthetic fragrance, many brands will proudly label these on their packaging. You will also notice a significant difference in your skin - I did!

• Avoid products with 'fragrance' on the label - The word 'fragrance' is catch-all term for all undisclosed chemicals that are linked to hormone disruption. Stick to unscented or naturally scented products instead

• Check product safety - use the EWG Skin Deep Database or the Think Dirty app to find safe, non toxic cosmetic products

• Look for trusted certifications like EWG Verified, USDA Organic, Made Safe Certified and Leaping Bunny are all solid labels to trust when looking for new products

• Go low-COV or no-VOC with bath accessories - Choose non-toxic shower curtains and bath products to minimize air pollutants in your bathroom

8. Go Green with Sustainable & Non-Toxic Home Upgrades

Revonovating your home or redecorating? Be mindful with the products you use as many paints, flooring and building materials off-gas harmful chemicals like VOCs linger in the air for months - or even years! Plus, if you live in an older home lead paint can pose serious health risks - espeically for children - this paint can be harmful as it can chip over time and release into the air.

Safer Home Upgrades:

• Choose low-VOC or no-VOC paints - traditional paints can release toxic chemicals like benzene and toluene (known carcinogens) and formaldehyde that can linger in the air for years! Low-VOC paints are a safer, and healthier option - you can find them by looking at packaging at hardware shops!

  • Look for products with a green label certifications - products like Green Seal, Greenguard Gold or EcoLogo should be your go-to for safety

• Go natural with flooring - Choose sustainable materials like cork, bamboo or reclaimed wood are all non-toxic and sustainable options, and help you avoid toxins found in synthetic flooring

• Opt for sustainable home decor - avoid synthetic rugs and curtains, instead choose organic cotton, jute, hemp or wool or even upcycle vintage furniture instead of buying new items that may contain toxins

Key Takeaways:

• Indoor air can be up to 100x more polluted than outdoor air - ventilate daily or invest in an air purifier to freshen up your space naturally

• Cut down on hidden toxins - swap synthetic cleaning supplies, air fresheners, and personal care products for non-toxic, eco-friendly alternatives

• Your kitchen could be a hidden toxin zone - avoid nonstick cookware and plastic food storage —go for cast iron, glass, and ensure kitchen is always properly ventilated especially when cooking!

• Furniture and bedding can off-gas harmful chemicals - opt for organic, GOTS-certified bedding and non-toxic mattresses to reduce exposure to flame retardants and VOCs

• Your water isn’t always as clean as it seems - filter your tap water to remove contaminants like PFAS and ditch plastic bottles for glass or stainless steel!

• Declutter and dust often to reduce toxic buildup! Household dust traps harmful chemicals, so vacuum with a HEPA filter and wipe those surfaces with microfiber cloths!

• Sustainable swaps = healthier home & planet - opt for low-VOC paints, natural flooring, and upcycled furniture to create a toxin-free, eco-friendly living space

Detoxifying your home doesn’t have to be overwhelming—small, intentional changes can make a big difference in your air quality, health, and overall well-being. By swapping out toxic household products, improving ventilation, and choosing safer materials, you’re creating a cleaner home, and also protecting your family from harmful chemicals.

Start today—because a non-toxic home is a healthy home!

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Frequently Asked Questions to Home Detox

How can I detox my home?

You can detox your home by reducing indoor air pollution, switching to non-toxic cleaning products, improving ventilation, using air-purifying plants, and avoiding synthetic materials that off-gas VOCs. Simple swaps like glass food storage containers, organic bedding, and a HEPA air purifier can significantly improve indoor air quality.

How do I detoxify my body at home?

Detoxifying your body starts with hydration, a nutrient-rich diet, and lifestyle changes. Drink plenty of water, eat antioxidant-rich foods, sweat through exercise or saunas, and use dry brushing to support lymphatic drainage. Reducing toxin exposure in your home and personal care products also helps lighten your body’s toxic load.

How do I remove toxins from my house?

Start by replacing conventional cleaning supplies, candles, and air fresheners with non-toxic alternatives. Improve ventilation by opening windows daily, use HEPA filters, and minimize household dust, which often contains pollutants. Switching to organic or sustainably made furniture, bedding, and flooring can also help eliminate long-term exposure to VOCs.