Healthy Body, Healthy Home: Say No to Toxic Cleaning Supplies

After getting Lap Band surgery, it is time for you to re-dedicate your whole mind and body to achieving better health. As the weight falls off and you are improving your diet and increasing your exercise, it is time to evaluate your home.

A home is a reflection of the self.

Have you ever noticed when you are visiting a friend that is always cheerful and happy that their house is often just as bright and inviting? What about that friend that is always a bit of a mess, with her hair-frazzled and always running just a little bit late—chances are her house is a little bit of a mess as well.

Your body goes through a lot of changes following Lap Band surgery. Instead of fighting the changes that are taking place, embrace the new healthier you and let the well-being spread throughout all the aspects of your life. The more you give in to the healthier habits that you are developing, the healthier you will ultimately become.

Treat your home as an extension of your body.

One change that many people don’t think of making is in their cleaning supplies. Think about how your body feels after you load it with fattening chemicals from fast-food restaurants and candy bars. It is hard to run at 100% when you are not putting in the best fuel. Your home runs the same way. You cannot expect your home to have a fresh smile and an inviting sparkle if you are spreading grime in circles on the counter tops or are spraying harsh chemicals that are nestling into the couch fibers.

One EPA study found that in-home air is actually two-to-five times more polluted than outdoor air. It is time to do something about that!

When you treat your home as an extension of yourself you are more likely to show it the tenderness and care that it deserves. You are working hard towards losing weight and becoming healthier. Think about how rewarding it would be to come home every day to a house that reflects the new you—the healthy, happy and motivated you!

Here are a few tips for switching out your old cleaning habits for healthy non-toxic cleaning supplies!

• In the Kitchen, switch out the spray cleaners for natural ingredients like vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda and hot water. With a little bit of extra elbow grease you can get the same stains off of the counter tops without spraying any hazardous chemicals in your home. Think about all of the food that you prepare in your kitchen—you don’t want harmful chemicals floating around!
• When washing the windows, skip the paper towels and glass cleaner and opt instead for white vinegar, water and newspaper. Paper towels actually cause streaking, so a newspaper will provide a better shine when you are finished.
• Instead of reaching straight for the vacuum, take your rugs outside and let them get some fresh air. Beat out rugs by draping them over a chair or clothes line and hit them with a tennis racket. In addition to getting rid of hidden dust balls, this is actually a pretty decent arm workout!
• There are many different ways to replace toxic cleaners with items that you already have around the house. Focusing on enhancing the well-being of your entire environment is a great way to stay motivated as you work towards meeting your weight loss goal.

If you have any more DIY toxic-free cleaning tips, please share!