Our domestic aroma was a chemical-soaked mix of bleach, Renuzit, and my mothers Merit 100s.
Once on my own, my version of cleanliness smelled of blackcurrant candles and traces of Comet.
(No cigarettes, though.)
Natural ones, like cooking garlic or fresh flowers, were fine.
I replaced my typical cleaning supplies with fragrance-free versions, and I stopped burning scented candles.
My headaches decreased, which prompted me to wonder what else in my home might be causing problems.
non-toxic living expert and founder of Ruan Living
What I found was not encouraging.
Since living outdoors was not an option, I set out to make my home as healthy as possible.
Since living outdoors is not an option, I set out to make my home as healthy as possible.
Unlike me, she has dedicated her career to helping people find safer alternatives.
Detoxing your home is not about being perfect, she told me.
Its about taking steps toward minimizing your exposure to substances that can potentially affect your health.
Honestly, I thought Id get a home-detox gold star.
But as it turns out, there was room for improvement.
The actual house
I live in Los Angeles, whose air is notoriously polluted.
non-toxic living expert and founder of Ruan Living
Still, some locations have safer air quality than others.
How close is the nearest highway?
Ruan Gushee asked me.
So, location-wise, nottoobad for city living.
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She pointed out that gas stoves emit carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and formaldehyde.
(Also, in May, areportcame out linking gas stoves with an increased risk of asthma.)
Not something I want to be inhaling regularly.
Cook with the fan running and the windows open, she said.
She also recommendedrunning an air purifier, which would have the added benefit of clearing out cooking smells.
Then it was on to everyday chemicals in the kitchen.
MyBar Keepers Friendscrubbing powder that had replaced the Comet of yesteryear?
Not so friendly, from a chemical standpoint.
(Regarding concerns about COVID-19, she suggestsdisinfectingwith hydrogen peroxide or isopropyl alcohol.)
She is not wrong.
But she also recommended turning our wifi off at night with akill switchto minimize exposure to its low-level radiation.
One less smart-home gadget doing its thing while we sleep.
As for the rest of the little things that make a house feel like home?
For fragrance, I dont do scented candlesthe smoke and fumes are too much for my delicate sniffer.
And in a detox twist I wasnt anticipating, Ruan Gushee closed our session by recommendingmore houseplants.
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