Home is where we recharge, relax and spend the majority of our time. In fact, according to the EPA, Americans spend nearly 90% of their time indoors .¹ With so much of our lives happening at home, the choices we make and the products we use can directly impact our health and well-being.

Now, more than ever, families are prioritizing a healthier home environment. And here's the good news: creating a healthier, non-toxic home doesn't require perfection, expensive upgrades, or a lifestyle overhaul.

Below are five simple habits you can start incorporating today:

1) Choose Non-Toxic Home Cleaning Products

Many conventional cleaning products contain harsh chemicals that stay on surfaces and linger in the air long after cleaning.

Harmful Ingredients Commonly Found in Home Cleaning Products:

• Ammonia
• Bleach (sodium hypochlorite)
• Phthalates
• Triclosan
• Synthetic fragrances
• Formaldehyde
• Dyes

Short-term exposure to these harmful chemicals can cause health problems such as irritation to the eyes, skin, and throat, headaches, and dizziness.² Long-term exposure can lead to even worse health issues like hormonal disruption, nervous system damage, and respiratory conditions.³

Instead, look for:

• Fragrance-free or naturally scented formulas
• Gentle, plant-based ingredients (like soap-based cleaners or glucides)
• Simple ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, or hydrogen peroxide

Remember, you don't need to replace everything at once. Start with the products you use most often. Then, you can slowly start swapping out your other products.

2) Avoid Using Air Fresheners and Scented Candles

A home that smells "clean" isn't always a healthy home. Many people use air fresheners and scented candles to create a cozy environment. While these products can improve how a space smells, they can also release harmful chemicals into the air you breathe.

Many scented candles and fragranced products release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) when burned or sprayed. They contain phthalates, which are linked to hormone disruption, and formaldehyde, a known carcinogen. Some of these products can also release alkanes and alkenes, commonly found in car exhaust.

Over time, repeated exposure to these airborne chemicals can irritate the respiratory system, and contribute to your home's air pollution.

For a healthier approach, choose candles made from 100% natural wax, such as soy or beeswax, and avoid products with added synthetic fragrances. In general, less fragrance means fewer hidden chemicals.

3) Choose Non-Toxic Furniture and Home Materials

Many everyday household items such as sofas, mattresses, rugs, cabinets, and flooring can release chemicals into your home through a process known as off-gassing. Off-gassing happens when VOCs slowly release from materials over time – contributing to poor indoor air.

While some VOCs may only cause mild irritation, others have been linked to more serious health effects over time. They can also contribute to indoor air pollution, making them harmful not just to our bodies, but our environment.

To reduce long-term exposure, look for furniture home materials labeled low-VOC, non-toxic, and free from added flame retardants. Solid wood, natural latex, wool, and untreated or minimally finished materials tend to release fewer chemicals than synthetic alternatives.

Ventilating new furniture and allowing it to "air out" before regular use can also help limit initial chemical buildup.

4) Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

Did you know? The air inside your home can be up to 100 times more polluted than outdoor air.⁴

That's because pollutants from everyday activities like cooking and cleaning, and building materials such as paint, carpet, and furnishings, and even outdoor sources get trapped indoors, contributing to poor indoor air quality.

A powerful air purifier can help you breathe easier by capturing harmful pollutants from your indoor air – including pet dander, dust, bacteria, viruses, mold spores, toxic gasses, and wildfire smoke. When shopping for an air purifier, look for a 3-stage filtration system that utilizes a HEPA filter and Carbon VOC filter (like AirDoctor).

Another effective way to improve your indoor air quality is to open your doors or windows for at least 10 minutes each day.⁵ Even in winter, opening your windows will help improve your air. This dilutes the pollution inside your home, making it healthier to breathe.

5) Drink Pure, Healthy Water

One of the easiest ways to create a healthier home for you and your family is by ensuring your everyday drinking water is clean, and free from harmful contaminants (like lead, arsenic, lead, nitrates, microplastics, bacteria, and viruses ).

Sadly, millions of people across the country unknowingly drink water containing chemicals that have long term, negative effects on their body, health and well being. In fact, almost half of the tap water in the U.S. is contaminated with "forever chemicals", according to a recent USGS study.

In this video, Dr. Steven Gundry (Best-selling author) and Helen Christoni (Ideal Living’s VP of Business Development) have an eye-opening conversation, and reveal the shocking truth about what's really in your tap water

Thankfully, AquaTru water purifiers use a patented 4-Stage Reverse Osmosis system to remove 84 contaminants, and transform your tap water into pure, delicious, clean water you can trust.

Drinking healthy, pure water everyday can boost hydration, help with energy levels, and give you peace of mind knowing your home is free from harmful toxins.

It’s no surprise when AquaTru customers were surveyed, 98% said their drinking water is cleaner, safer, and healthier.

Plus, What Customers Are Saying:

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It's important to remember that creating a healthier, non-toxic home isn't about doing everything perfectly. The small, intentional habits all add up to make an impactful difference on our overall health and well-being. As we start the new year, we should think of our homes as not just a place to live in, but a place to thrive. Because when your home is healthier, you are too!

Key Takeaways:

CITATIONS

• Choose Safer Products & Materials: Swap conventional cleaners, scented candles, and furniture with non-toxic, low-VOC, & naturally sourced alternatives.
• Breathe Cleaner Air: Improve indoor air quality by ventilating daily and using a high-quality air purifier to remove dust, allergens, VOCs, & other pollutants.
• Drink Pure Water: Use a trusted water purifier to remove harmful chemicals and contaminants, supporting hydration, health, and peace of mind.

1) https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/improving-your-indoor-environment

2)https://www.lung.org/clean-air/indoor-air/indoor-air-pollutants/cleaning-supplies-household-chem

3)https://fmj.ifma.org/the-hidden-dangers-of-everyday-cleaning-products

4) https://www.lung.org/clean-air/indoor-air

5) https://www.lung.org/blog/indoor-air-quality-improvements