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Most people tend to think of toxicity in the extremes -- swallowing poison, inhaling exhaust fumes, sticking your head in a microwave. But the truth is that damage to your health can happen in far more subtle ways. Here’s a room-by-room guide to help you detox your life a little.

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KITCHEN
    
Don’t microwave food in plastic. Instead, use ceramic or glass, and cover with a paper towel or wax paper.
        
Filter your drinking water.
    
Keep cleaners out of reach of little and make sure lids are tightly sealed.

Use nontoxic, biodegradable dishwasher soap without phosphates, chlorine, or nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPE). Check for the green-seal label on products <www.greenseal.org> and look for these brands:

Biokleen
Ecover
Shaklee Get Clean
Greening the Cleaning
Mrs. Meyer's
Orange Plus
Seventh Generation
Sun & Earth
    
Don’t resort to spray cans of toxic bug killer. Instead, use boric-acid based bait stations and be rigorous about keeping your house clean.

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BEDROOM

Protect your pillows and mattresses from dust mites. If you’re sensitive to allergens, get a set of tightly woven (1 micron pore) sheets and pillowcases to block microdust from these minute organisms.

Use cedar chips instead of mothballs to keep insects away from your clothes and bed linens.

Dust and vacuum frequently to prevent a build-up of animal dander, pollen, dust, and dust mites. Make sure to vacuum upholstered furniture and mattresses as well the floor.

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BATHROOM
    
Use deodorant instead of antiperspirant. Sweat is normal; blocking the pores is not. Opt for deodorants that are aluminum-free, paraben-free, and phthalate-free (check the label).

Use nontoxic products to clean your bathroom. Simple baking soda can be great for cleaning sinks and tubs; just add a little vinegar or lemon juice and watch it work.

Make sure your bathroom is well ventilated. Open windows and use an extraction fan to reduce moisture and prevent molds and mildew.

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GARAGE
       
Don’t stockpile old solvents and paints that may contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as toluene. Consider buying low-VOC, nontoxic paints, and buy only as much as you need. When you’re done with your project, make sure all the lids are on good and tight. If you have a lot of leftover paint, ask friends and neighbors if they could use it or donate it to a local school or community center.

If you just want to get rid of your solvents and oil-based paints, contact your city or county waste-management department to find out where you can drop them off for safe disposal. Don’t dump them in the trash or down a drain.
 
Air out your new car. You might think that new-car smell is better than fresh-baked pie, but it’s also rife with chemicals.

More Information

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NHNE Body Burden Resource Page