11 Ways to Detoxify Your Baby’s Environment and Have a Chemical-Free Home
I don’t know about you, but when spring comes around I get super motivated to clean things out, declutter, and detoxify. There is just something about every change in season that invigorates me to want to make changes and have a fresh start— but especially the spring season. I guess that’s why they say “spring cleaning” not “fall cleaning”(fall just makes me want to bake and further clutter my life with books and blankets.)
Now that I’m a new mom, I’m even more motivated to simplify and make my baby’s environment as clean and toxic free as possible.
Here are eleven things you can do this spring to get a fresh start in your home and detoxify your baby’s environment!
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1. Clean your house with chemical-free cleaning products
The most common cleaning products used in homes are FULL of harmful chemicals and toxins that we probably don’t want our babies to be exposed to on a daily basis (and when you’re a mom, you’re definitely cleaning on a daily basis!)
This article further explains the dangerous effects of household cleaners and gives great suggestions for natural alternatives.
You can even make your own cleaning products with baking soda, vinegar, and essential oils. This girl has some great recipes! Not only do they work just as well as regular cleaners, but you can have peace of mind using them around your little ones.
2. Get some house plants
What could welcome spring better than some fresh new house plants! Studies have shown that having plants around the house can lower stress levels and improve the air quality. Put a few extra in your bedroom, or the baby’s bedroom, to clean the air and help improve your sleep! Some of the best air purifiers are
- snakes plants
- ficus trees
- bamboo palms
- spider plants
Just be sure to do some research before you choose your plants since some plants can pose a health risk for children and pets.
3. Make bath time chemical-free
If you are already planning on decluttering and cleaning out under your bathroom sink, why not give your baby skin-care products a revamp too! Throw out any products that include harmful ingredients like
- fragrance
- parabens
- sulphates
- phthalates
And find products made with natural ingredients! This article has a nice comprehensive list of some tried and true natural alternatives.
Also, be selective with the bath toys you choose. Toys that have holes in them, like squeaky balls or even the classic rubber ducky, can trap water and get moldy. If you have your heart set on keeping bath time classic with a rubber ducky, buy this one instead! No holes to trap water, and it doubles as a thermometer to make sure the water is at a safe temperature for baby. 🙂
4. Clothe them with organic, natural fibers
There are a lot of chemicals in baby clothing, so try to find clothing that is organic and made with natural fibers like organic cotton, linen, and bamboo. Bamboo is typically grown without pesticides and fertilizers, so even if it’s not labeled “organic” it can still be a healthy, eco-friendly choice.
My all-time favorite sleepers and rompers are these. They are made of bamboo and SUPER soft and breathable. They are a perfect choice for the upcoming warm weather!
5. Open the windows
There are so many benefits of fresh air, including improving oxygen levels in your blood, boosting your mood, and cleansing your lungs, so why not bring that fresh air into your home!
When we are inside a lot (especially while quarantining during a global pandemic) the air in our homes can become stagnant and imbalanced. Whenever the weather permits, open doors and windows to get cross ventilation and get fresh air flowing through your house. Fresh air can help clear out pollutants in your home and have major benefits for our babies and pets.
6. Use non toxic diapers
When you think about how many diapers a baby goes through (average 10 a day for a newborn) you understand why it can be hard to value the quality of a diaper over the best deal. But really, diapers are the one thing touching our baby’s skin ALL THE TIME, and in a very sensitive area. Shouldn’t they be the most natural and chemical free product we use?
Unfortunately, most diapers are made with synthetic materials and contain chemicals that can irritate your baby.
Try using diapers that are organic and made with natural materials. I personally love Honest diapers! They are made without fragrance or harsh chemicals, they are hypoallergenic, and made from sustainably harvested wood from pine and spruce trees. Plus they have super cute prints!
Or you could go all out and give cloth diapers a try! They are much more user friendly than they used to be (I always pictured cloth and an oversized safety pin lol.) Plus, they are eco-friendly and leave a smaller footprint on the environment. =) These diapers are beautiful, easy to clean, and come with a bamboo insert.
7. Choose wood toys
Spring is also a great time to declutter and get rid of unwanted (or annoying) baby toys! If you want to make sure your baby toys are non toxic, get rid of all the mysterious plastic toys and replace them with silicone or wood toys. Not only are wood toys more aesthetically pleasing (even when they are strewn about your living room) they are also naturally antimicrobial and don’t hold onto bacteria and pathogens as well as plastic does, making them a cleaner option. Plus babies love their natural texture!
If you do go with plastic, make sure they are BPA, PVC, and lead free (and preferably not made in China.)
8. Eat organic
Is eating organic just an expensive hippie fad, or is there actually value to it? The answer is yes… and yes! Hippies do tend to love organic food, lol, it IS more expensive, BUT it is definitely worth the value! =)
Regular ol’ fruits and veggies are doused in pesticides and chemicals, which have been linked to all sorts of problems including birth defects, cancer, and infertility. Even dairy contains added hormones and antibiotics, which can mess with our own hormonal imbalance and throw off our gut health.
When we introduce solids to our little one for the first time, feeding them organic food gives them a clean start in their life-long journey with food and ensures they are getting nourishing whole foods, without added chemicals.
9. Switch to glass baby bottles and food storage containers
Let’s move this spring cleaning party into the kitchen shall we?!
Another way we can cut down on our toxic load is switching from plastic Tupperware to glass storage containers. And yes, you can even switch to glass baby bottles!
Glass is endlessly reusable, easy to clean, and much prettier than plastic. 🙂
The more we can cut down on our plastic usage, the better it is for our health and the environment.
10. Get rid of non stick cookware
I feel like I’m being a bit redundant, but guess what’s in non stick cookware…
You guessed it! Chemicals!
In this case, the main culprit is PFAS, which is a common chemical found in Teflon. As this article on Earthjustice.org states, “PFAS don’t easily break down, and they can persist in your body and in the environment for decades.” If we are cooking for our babies everyday in that, that’s a lot of chemical buildup!
When I decided to get my health together, I threw out all my non stick cookware and replaced it with stainless steel and cast iron. I thanked my old non stick pots and pans for all their hard work, dumped them in the trash, and happily moved on! Now I cook with so much more piece of mind (the wine probably helps too lol).
11. Cool it on the sanitizer
If there is one trend 2020 got us all hooked on, it’s hand sanitizer.
Besides all the chemicals in sanitizers, too much sanitation can lead to antibacterial resistance, leading to even more super bugs. A common chemical in antibacterial products is triclosan, which can disrupt hormonal regulation and contribute to antibiotic resistance. It’s been banned in many countries but is still considered “safe” in others, so it may be in your sanitizer.
The best way to fight germs and bacteria after your kid as been frolicking in the mud or swinging from the monkey bars is good ol’ soap and water. Sometimes we don’t have a choice, but when you do, it is always better to opt for soap and water over hand sanitizer.
If you must use sanitizers, here’s a list from the FDA about which ones to avoid.
In conclusion…
Some of these suggestions may not seem like they will make a big difference in your baby’s health. But even just making one of these changes can lessen the toxic load of your little one and help their growing little bodies stay in balance.
I hope these tips have given you some ideas for detoxifying your baby’s life and help you create the natural environment your hoping to achieve. =)
Happy Spring!
