What’s the best way to detox your home? Short answer: one room at a time. It’s tough to grasp just how many harmful toxins are leaked into our homes – from pesticides to mold, to PVC, and even paints! The following are 10 ways that you can work towards a green and toxin-free kitchen.
1. Install a water filtration system
While many don’t exactly know what’s in their water, there are several harmful contaminants that very well may live in your water. Some common contaminants include bacteria, nitrate, as well as heavy metals such as lead, iron and arsenic.
While it’s recommended that we test for these every 1 to 3 years, it’s best to install a water filter to give you some peace of mind.
2. Compost
Sure, we know that composting does a lot to preserve our planet, but it also helps to detoxify pollutants in your kitchen and around your home. Plus, composting doesn't take a lot of effort at all.
You can purchase a compost bin for your home to decompose biodegradable food garbage from your kitchen, such as banana peels and egg shells, turning them into essential material for planting your garden.
3. Reduce and Replace Plastics
Years ago, the attempt to detoxify your kitchen would have been as simple as making a BPA (Bisphenol-A) free rule. While this harmful chemical has been removed from some plastics, it can still be found in many more commonly used kitchen items.
In addition to BPA, however, other toxins you’ll find in plastics include phthalates (plastic softeners) and PVC that could leach through the plastics into your foods and, ultimately, into your body. Some of the health issues that have been linked to these chemicals include reproductive harm, hormone disruption and cancer.
4. Don't Buy Non-Stick Pans
Brace yourselves - non-stick pans are not your friends! Far from it, actually. The Teflon coating and (alleged non-toxic replacements) disguised as a modern day convenience are actually the culprit of many serious health risks as these chemicals leach to your food through cooking.
While some ceramic pots do provide a safer alternative to non-stick pans, they aren’t without harm either. In fact, in a recent investigation, Xtrema Cookware was recognized as the ONLY ceramic cookware that does not contain any toxic coating and is 100% ceramic.
5. Try to Microwave Less
While kitchens can't always be microwave-free zones, opt to try to heat things up on the stove if you can. It will save you some nasty radiation. Also, don't open the microwave before the five-second cooldown!
