Hidden Household Toxins

The choice of materials for the tools we use in the kitchen also plays a major role in reducing the toxin load. Removing plastic containers, packages, dishes, food processor bowls, strainers, spatulas, cutlery, water bottles and cans from our kitchen and our lives as much as possible, which are in every aspect of our lives, will minimize exposure to chemicals such as BPA and polymers. Since it would not be a realistic recommendation to say never to use plastic products, I can suggest you choose metal, glass, wood, steel options if possible. BPA-free water drums, glass drinkers; Preferring white porcelain pots, steel strainers and kitchen utensils to stay away from chemicals in paints will prevent chemicals from being taken into your body.

Non-stick pans and pots are another source of toxins. All other non-stick type products, known as “Teflon”, which they covered, carried perfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFAS). In 2005, these chemicals ceased to be used due to their harm, but were replaced by another harmful chemical, perfluorotexanoic acid. In addition, direct contact of food with aluminum pots, pans, baking trays and aluminum foil can cause problems. Aluminum is a known neurotoxin, meaning it has harmful effects on the nervous system. It is also a toxin that creates oxidative stress and affects the mitochondria in particular. That’s why steel and cast-iron pots and pans are the healthiest options.

The next step is personal care products that we can never blame but that mix with the blood through the skin and cause us to be loaded with toxins. It is important to pay attention to the contents of moisturizing creams, eye shadow, foundation, eyeliner, blush, mascara, anti-aging creams, lipstick, shampoo, hair cream, perfume, sunscreens, anti-perspirant, nail polish and hair dye. Products that do not contain phthalates, parabens, formaldehyde, ethanolamine, sulfates (SLES, sodium laurethsulfate and other ingredients ending with -eth), retinylpalmitate, CocamideDEA or perfume on the label, especially sunscreens that do not contain oxybenzone, octinoxate, avobenzone, homosalate, retinylpalmitate should be preferred. If possible, products with at least 96% natural content should be purchased. Thus, we minimize the intake of toxins from our skin.

Likewise, it is necessary to avoid harmful chemicals in laundry and dishwashing detergents. In particular, you can use rock salt instead of dishwasher salt, white vinegar instead of rinse aid; As detergent, we can choose clean, organic options, and we can use white vinegar instead of softener. In this way, our risk of exposure to chemicals from our skin and through inhalation is reduced.

Finally, I will talk about the source of toxins, molds, which we do not notice and sometimes do not care about. Sometimes mold can form on the sides of the glass and sometimes on the bottom of the walls due to the humidity of the inside or outside, and breathing the mold not only damages the lungs directly, but also disrupts the entire metabolism. That’s why you should ventilate the house every day, check the windows and exterior walls at regular intervals, find the source when you encounter any mold and remove it, then spray it with white vinegar and wait, then clean it thoroughly with carbonated water. You should immediately throw away the food on which you notice mold, wash the containers they are in at high temperature, and if possible clean the cabinet in which the container is located, then ventilate the kitchen thoroughly. This way you avoid exposure to toxins.

In short, chemicals that affect our health negatively and invite many diseases are everywhere. Now that we know what toxic substances can be and learn how to avoid them, we are one step closer to healthy living. Let’s clean our house and body from poisons as much as possible. Let’s run to the kitchen and start replacing plastic storage containers with shiny glass containers, jars. It will come back. Because living healthy is as easy as removing poisons from our homes.