A Better, Healthier Home

I was just reading through the March issue of the Better Homes and Gardens magazine and loved the article titled "Be It Ever So Healthy..." on page 196. It gives some great tips on keeping a better, healthier house. Some of the things they suggest are super simple, and for me the simpler the better! I love the thought of having a toxic-free home, and there is no better way to start than with small, easy steps. Some of my favorite ideas from the article are these, summarized in my own words:

-Go No-Hands Buy a trashcan where you don't have to touch the lid to open it. There are versions that can detect movement and flip its own lid, or you can buy one with a foot pedal.

-A Better Dishrag Microfiber sponges are woven with more pores on the surface so they remove more bacteria than a regular rag. Sign me up for some of those!

-Know What's Inside It is important to know what kind of ingredients you are introducing into your home. Manufacturers aren't required to put ingredients on the label, so use a cleaner where you know what is inside. I personally love Thieves Household Cleaner not only because it is safe for you to clean your home with but because it smells good, too.

-Fantastic Fans Bathrooms can be a breeding ground for mold, but one way to keep it from growing is to dissipate the heat and humidity. BHG suggests to leave your exhaust fan running for 20 minutes or so after showering. I also suggest diffusing Thieves essential oil, which is proven to eliminate mold and purify the air.

-Please Remove Shoes Harmful things can be tracked into your home unseen--from dog droppings to herbicides that were sprayed on the grass. Keeping a no-shoes policy keeps those things out of your home as well as keeps your carpet looking new.