Furnish a healthy home

The dangers and growing presence of microplastics in all aspects of our lives have been in the news lately. They are in the food we eat, the water we drink, the clothes we wear and the furniture and furnishings of our homes.

It is not surprising, then, with ailments such as asthma, allergies, hyper-sensitivity and hyperactivity in children being linked to exposure to chemicals, that families are increasingly looking for ways to maintain a healthy, chemical-free home.

Apart from the ubiquitous microplastics, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) can also be found in many common household products including paints, glues, cleaning products, disinfectants, dry-cleaned clothing through to underarm deodorants. And they all contribute to an unhealthy indoor environment.

That might sound dire, yet it is surprisingly easy to minimise the effects of chemicals in your home – (1) keep it clean, (2) ensure good ventilation and (3) avoid harmful chemicals wherever possible.

Here are some ways you can make your home cleaner and safer for everyone:

- Use natural, chemical-free cleaners, which are available from most retailers, though it’s always wise to check the fine print. Even better, vinegar, bicarb soda, or lemon juice will work in most instances.

- Avoid buying food that is packaged in plastic, use glass containers for storage and swap out any plastic utensils for metal or bamboo alternatives.

- Run tap water through a filter for drinking and cooking. Most filters will remove the larger particles, but for optimum filtration, a reverse osmosis system will be more efficient.

- Ensure good ventilation so mould cannot grow. If any does appear, treat immediately with vinegar and remedy the source.

- Avoid using air fresheners, as they can actually contaminate the air with (usually) synthetic fragrance – the best way to freshen air is to open a window, but a few tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda mixed with 10 drops of essential oil in a bowl will also cover any unpleasant odours.

- Place healthy indoor plants around the house to absorb VOCs and other pollutants. The most effective include Mother-in-Laws Tongue (Sanservera), Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum), or Draecena.

- Choose natural furnishings and finishes such as untreated cotton, linen, canvas, hemp, wool, silk, rayon, feathers, down, latex rubber, linoleum.

- Build and renovate using natural materials like plantation or recycled wood, stone, clay, steel, brick, glass.

- Finish surfaces with natural oils, waxes, and plant-based, non-toxic paints or varnishes.

- Buy and use recycled items where possible, as a lot of the active plastics will have been diminished.

It might not be practical to make all these changes at once, but each one will be a step towards a toxic-free environment for your family to enjoy.