When it comes to health, we often focus on what we’re eating and the workouts that we’re doing, but how often do we look at the environment that we live in every single day? Spring has officially sprung, and while we’re busy shedding winter layers, it’s the perfect time to shed the dust, clutter and toxins from our homes too, because a clean space isn’t just nice to look at, it’s a powerful boost for our health.
 
Australians spend about 90% of their time indoors, and an increasingly large chunk of that is being spent inside our own homes, particularly with the invention of Netflix and the fact that more people are working from home. With all this time that we spend inside and the fact that our environment plays a large role in determining the quality of our health, we think this should be getting way more air-time.
 
If you’re about to give your home a spring clean these are some healthy upgrades you can make to ensure you’re environment is working to support your health around the clock.
 
 
Deck out your place with indoor plants
Yes, we are 110% endorsing you to be that crazy plant person -  all in the name of health, of course. Not just an IG trend, indoor plants remove volatile compounds such as ozone and carbon dioxide from the air. Because they’re basically the givers of life and convert carbon dioxide into oxygen, having more plants in the house is a sure-fire way to improve your air quality. Different green guys are known for reaping different wellbeing benefits; for example, a peace lily reduces toxins such as benzene, ammonia, acetone and ethyl, while mother-in-law’s tongue emits oxygen which, if placed in the bedroom, can help improve your sleep quality. 
 
 
Toss out the toxic cleaning products
There are over 144,000 manmade toxic chemicals that exist in our current world, and they’re lurking in everyday products we use in our homes. Many of us barely glance over the labels of the cleaning products we buy off the supermarket shelf, but if we did we would find a cocktail of toxins that have been linked to an array of health conditions – ahh no thank you! If you’re clearing out the cupboards this spring, make sure to check the labels of all the bottles on your cleaning shelf and chuck out anything containing toxic nasties. Luckily for us, there are natural swaps we can use instead for all our cleaning needs and if you want to save yourself some time check out this year’s finalists of The Clean + Conscious Awards that celebrate the best of clean and sustainable brands across home, beauty, nutrition and more.


Ditch toxic candles and air fresheners
Just like household cleaning products, candles and air fresheners are products that can contain a myriad of toxic chemicals in their ingredients list to create those synthetic fragrances that we all know and unfortunately love. Never fear; this doesn’t mean you have to give up your candle collection. Instead, opt for candles made with natural ingredients such as soy or beeswax, or get yourself an essential oil diffuser and have some fun mixing together your own natural scent with essential oils. And if you need something that not only smells great but adds extra style to your bathroom, we love No.2 post flush drops – we can personally verify that they work!
 
 
Optimise your H2O  
If we’re drinking litres of something every single day it only makes sense that we should make sure that it’s good for us, right? Compared with other countries around the world, Australia is lucky to have tap water that is technically safe to drink BUT  as you may have heard a recent UNSW study revealed 21 newly identified PFAS “forever chemicals” in Sydney’s tap water, bringing the known total to 31 types of these contaminants.  Investing in a water filter for home will make sure your drinking water is as clean as can be and help minimise your exposure to toxic chemicals on an everyday basis. We also love Hydroco stainless steel filtering water bottles for on the go, and the soon to launch mrsippy – Australia’s first filtered water bottle made especially for little hands!
 
 
Get that air flow
Let it flow, let it flooow! No one likes sitting all day in a stuffy room, but proper air circulation goes beyond that. Letting in that breeze improves the air quality in your home, removing impurities, regulating temperature and preventing mould growth, a substance that can be potentially toxic to your body. Opening a window can also help filter out bad odours in rooms like the kitchen, laundry or bathroom, so you’re not spending all your dollars burning hundreds of candles on every surface. Throw open those windows and doors - it’s completely free! Want to take things one step further? You can consider investing in an air filtration system like this one.
 
 
Ditch single-use plastics and opt for re-usable solutions
Obviously single-use plastics are detrimental to the environment, but they're also harmful to our health, so it makes sense to try to minimise single use plastic around your home. Plastics contain toxic chemicals, heavy metals and carcinogens which, when exposed to our skin, inhaled or ingested, can affect our cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, respiratory, neurological and reproductive systems, resulting in chronic conditions like cancer and diabetes. Easy swaps like ditching plastic water bottles for a reusable option, swapping from plastic food containers to glass storage solutions, and plastic chopping boards for wooden or stainless-steel boards, are all small changes that can make a big impact. We also love these Ameli Home cleaning product vessels to store all your favourite eco cleaning options (or to store your own cleaning mixes) in a way that looks chic and adds some extra luxe to your home.
 
 
Keep your place spick and span
At the risk of sounding like your parents, it’s important to keep your space clean and tidy for your health.  Clean and organized homes support mental health, emotional balance, productivity, family harmony, and even recovery from stress or burnout. It highlights that clutter can make the brain feel cluttered too, while maintaining a tidy space fosters clarity and peace. In addition, our homes are practically breeding grounds for bacteria, viruses and mould, and while many aren’t harmful or can even be beneficial for our health, some nasty bugs can creep in and proliferate. Busting the dust will help prevent respiratory irritation and allergies, while regularly washing your sheets and towels and spraying your kitchen bench with a natural cleaner will help prevent overgrowths of bacteria, viruses and fungi. 
 
 
Small, simple changes can add up quickly, and spring is the perfect excuse to start fresh. At the end of the day, your home is your sanctuary, and the way you care for it shapes how it cares for you. This spring, ditch the clutter, detox your space and let your environment fuel your best health yet!


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