The top 5

October 9, 2008 | Print

Five Simple Steps for a Healthier Home

We can create a strong base for our children’s health with a few changes at home. As with any new endeavor for the sleep deprived, our approach is slow and steady. We feel empowered by even the simplest step of making sure we open the windows ten minutes a day.

1. Food. Choose organic food whenever possible, especially fruits and vegetables with higher pesticide residue.

2. Water. Water districts vary in their testing policies, and water is often not tested for potential contaminants like pharmaceuticals. We use an osmosis water filter for our drinking water, and change the filters as recommended.

3. Air quality. Kelly recently invited an environmental consultant to walk through her house–he was most impressed with the air purifiers in the bedrooms. (Of course he did remind her to place them at least six feet from beds to avoid EMF exposure.) And, air purifiers provide white noise, helpful for sleeping babies when older children tromp through the kitchen demanding snack.

We try to open the windows for ten minutes a day even when it’s cold and snowy outside.

Air quality also means painting with low or no VOC paints, and thinking about chemicals often found in new carpet and furniture choices. Organic or natural rubber mattresses for us and the kids are a good investment as we spend (or hope to) a big part of our days in bed. If we go all the way, organic sheets, blankets and comforters.

4. Non-toxic cleaners. Green cleaners work as well as chemical ones. We have a list of our favorite cleaners, and there are always new products to try. Our houses smell better.

5. Chemical free lawncare. The backyard is where we save money by using less–no pesticides, herbicides, or chemical fertilizer pellets. Our favorite weed killers–vinegar and water in a spray bottle, and four year olds who like digging. When we need supplies, gardening stores carry organic compost and fertilizers.

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