DETOX YOUR HOME!
Transform your space into a true sanctuary by reducing harmful chemicals
Have you ever wondered how environmentally friendly your home is? Eco-expert Tracey Bailey, founder of Biome, encourages shoppers to reconsider their reliance on chemical-based products.
“We need to let go of chemical cleansers and artificial products, and go back to products our grandparents would recognise, like glass storage containers and natural cleaning products,” she says.
Here’s how to reduce toxic chemicals in your home...
REALLY READ THE LABELS
If you want to avoid bringing more chemicals into your home by buying organic, look for New Zealand-made products certified by local organisations AsureQuality, BioGro, Demeter and/or OrganicFarmNZ.
From food and drink to cosmetics and household goods, all are guaranteed to have been grown, raised or manufactured without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, hormones or antibiotics.
But you don’t need to go 100% organic to lower your chemical load. Skincare expert, herbalist and aromatherapist Jodie Sharp, founder of Ocean Spirit, advises checking ingredients and looking out for labels calling out “toxic-free” benefits.
“Some businesses are too small to get an official organic accreditation, so it’s worth knowing your ingredients,” she says.
“For instance, avoid anything derived from petrochemicals, which can also be called mineral oil or paraffin on the label.”
SWITCH UP CLEANING PRODUCTS
“Few people live in a home so ridden with germs that it’s an actual health hazard, yet we continue to spend a small fortune on harsh chemicals,” Tracey says.
At worst, an over-reliance on chemical-based cleaners
has been anecdotally linked to hormone imbalance, asthma, eczema and headaches, and even if they don’t cause you any health problems, they can end up polluting our waterways.
“I do think it’s in our best interests to stick with products that are as natural as possible,” she adds.
“Eucalyptus oil, for example, not only smells amazing, but is high in antibacterial properties, which means it’s suitable for cleaning bathrooms.”
UPDATE YOUR VAC
A regular once-over using a vacuum fitted with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter will rid your home of dust mites, chemical residue and mould spores that can trigger allergies and illness. Just be sure to change the filter regularly.
CREATE AN INDOOR JUNGLE
According to NASA, a 20cm plant grown indoors can help purify the air of toxins such as benzene (often found in glues), formaldehyde and trichloroethylene (found in paint stripper). Try a humble spider plant, palm or bromeliad for their remarkable air-cleansing abilities.
PICK NATURAL MATERIALS
What your furniture and soft furnishings are made of can make a major difference to reducing the toxins in your home since some materials leach chemicals in the air, a process known as “off-gassing”.
Some of the worst offenders are engineered woods such as medium-density fibreboard (MDF), particle board and plywood, which are often used in kitchen benches, cupboards and shelving.
“If possible, buy solid wood or natural-fibre furnishings rather than manufactured wooden or plastic-coated items to avoid off-gassing,” says Tracey.
Scour TradeMe, Facebook Marketplace and garage sales for natural or wooden furniture – you’ll also be saving them from landfill!
Grammy-winning singer Justin Timberlake and his wife, actress Jessica Biel, have listed their Hollywood estate for an impressive $49 million.
e sleek interior was recently renovated by Estee Stanley, who has worked with her fair share of celebrity spaces, including the homes of Ellen Pompeo, Patrick Dempsey and Chris Evans.
O ering nine bedrooms and 13 bathrooms between the main house and guest house, there’s room to spare for Hollywood’s golden couple and their children Silas, six, and Phineas, one.
With an interior showcasing a mixture of rustic and modern design, the spacious pad consists of cosy living areas, a cinema room, a stunning chef ’s kitchen and even a decadent dressing room.
e Spanish style villa isn’t shy of amenities, with highlights including a gym, tennis court, a vegetable garden and a covered patio area ideal for alfresco dining. ere’s even a luxurious swimming pool, which oversees a breathtaking view of Los Angeles.
e 40-year-old purchased the property prior to his marriage to Jessica, 39, right after NSYNC’s split nearly two decades ago, and bought the estate from none other than Oscar-winning As Good As It Gets actress Helen Hunt.