(ThyBlackMan.com) How healthy is your house? When it comes to living conditions, some people believe that the more natural you are, the better. For example, you might be wary of certain chemicals in your cleaning products. While it’s impossible to get rid of all chemicals (everything is made of chemicals), there might be some materials you don’t like. Don’t worry if there are substances you would rather not have in your home. There are lots of ways you can make your property more natural. Of course, it’s also important not to think “synthetic is bad” and “natural equals good”. There are plenty of naturally occurring things that can appear in your home that you don’t want to be there. Keeping these things away helps to keep your home healthy too.
Create Your Own Cleaning Products
If you want a more natural home, you might consider ditching commercial cleaning products. Some people dislike the products available from stores, for a number of reasons. You might have allergic reactions, or they might trigger your asthma. Some people just don’t like the idea of the fumes and residue from the chemicals in their home. An alternative is to make your own products, using ingredients that you approve of. People have used various home remedies for a long time. For example, one of the many uses for baking powder is a cleaning agent. Other ingredients that can come in handy include lemon juice, vinegar and salt. You can find lots of 
recipes to mix for different purposes.
Homemade Toiletries
You might also be concerned about the things you use on your skin, hair or teeth. If you want to banish commercial shampoo, soap or toothpaste from your home, you need to replace them. Much like cleaning products, you can make natural, homemade products. They appeal to many people. This is because they don’t have the preservatives you might find in other products. However, it can mean they don’t last as long. Some of the things you could make include deodorant, soap, face and body scrub and toothpaste. When you look for recipes you can use, make sure you research how effective they are. Trying them out will help you, but you should also make sure you’re not doing any damage.
Natural Air Fresheners
Getting rid of odors in your home can be one of the biggest challenges. Many of the products you can buy might smell nice, but you might be wary of using them. If you want something more natural, there are lots of things you can use to make your home smell nicer. Often commercial products may only cover up the smell anyway. You probably want something that helps get rid of bad smells. If you want a quick solution, you could make a deodorizing spray. Use baking soda and essential oils and mix them with water. You can also consider burning essential oils or lighting some candles. Some people use potpourri. You can even simmer a pot of water and some nice-smelling ingredients to let it permeate the house.
Ditch Synthetic Materials
If you’re not a fan of synthetic materials, you might want to swap them for something more natural. For example, you might not like having plastics or synthetic fabrics. For some people, certain materials could cause an allergic reaction or other health problems. You might prefer to use natural materials such as cotton, leather, wood and even hemp. There are lots of ways you can use natural materials exclusively. You can use them for everything from your furniture to your linens. Many natural materials are longer lasting, although they might also be more expensive. As well as assessing furniture and accessories, you might want to consider your clothes.
Ban Smoking in Your Home
You have probably heard about secondhand smoke. It can affect you if you’re around smokers often. However, experts are not beginning to consider the impacts of third-hand smoke. This includes the ways that smoking can permanently affect a home. For example, tar can get into the walls and odors can sink into the upholstery. No smoking in your home will make it healthier for the whole family. If you smoke, giving up will also improve your health. Plus, there is less risk of anyone being exposed to secondhand smoke if smokers make an effort to stop.
Increase Natural Light
Some surprising things can make a difference to how healthy your house is. Many people put up blackout blinds or curtains if they want to get a better sleep. They assume blocking all light will help to make the environment healthier for sleeping. However, it may be better to try to get more natural light into your home. It helps to regulate your sleeping patterns and has other benefits too. If you’re sleeping more healthily, it contributes to a better immune system. It can improve your blood pressure and brain function. In addition, artificial lighting might not be the best for your health. If your lights are too bright, it can make it more difficult for you to fall asleep. Screen lights can also disrupt sleep, so try to avoid them before bedtime.
Get the Temperature Right
The temperature of your home is another thing you control artificially that you might be concerned about. If it’s too warm or too cold, it could affect your health. For example, when it’s too warm, you might have trouble sleeping. Getting the temperature right isn’t always easy. Although there are recommended temperatures, everyone is different. It’s better for things to be on the cooler side in the evening, and to have extra blankets to stop you getting chilly. If you want to heat your home more naturally, you might consider changing your energy source. Using a natural system such as a wood burner, solar energy or heat pump could be better for your home. After the initial installation, they could also save you a lot of money. But it’s important to assess which, if any, is a good choice for your home first.
Try Some Greenery in Your Home
If you love all things natural, you should consider getting some plants into your home. They have a number of benefits, apart from brightening up your home and making it look lovely. Plants will help to keep the air fresh and clean. You provide them with carbon dioxide so that you can live in harmony. There’s even some evidence that plants might help you to fight colds. Plants like spider plants and rubber plants might be able to combat the symptoms of your cold, such as a sore throat and headache. Plants help to keep you healthy by giving you something to care for too.
Clean Out Your Kitchen
If you’re concerned about what surrounds your body, you might be thinking about what goes in it too. What you keep in your fridge and kitchen cabinets can make a difference to how healthy your house is. If you want your food and drink to be more natural, it might be time to have a clear-out. Have a look at what’s in the food you’re eating and whether you want to get rid of anything from your diet. Maybe you want to remove sugars and preservatives. However, don’t just throw away anything you don’t want to eat anymore. Either eat it and start your diet once it’s gone or give it away. Your neighbors might want it, or you can look for a local food bank so you don’t waste any food.
Organize Your Electronics
Everyone owns various electronics nowadays, but they can affect the health of your home. Too many electrical devices can tempt you into spending all day sitting around. They can also mean you’re staring at screens for ages. Or there are small, blinking lights keeping you awake at night. One thing you can do to get things under control is choosing the right furniture. For example, you can pick a TV unit that allows you to hide any electronics, such as a DVD player or cable box. You could even choose to have doors that shut over your television like a cupboard. You can also keep electronics out of certain rooms, such as your bedroom. It will help you to avoid the temptation of using screens before you go to sleep.
Go Green in the Garden
Many people don’t like using commercial pesticides in their garden. If you want a more natural garden, you might consider using some alternative products. For example, some experts suggest corn gluten meal. You can also make your garden low-maintenance by choosing plants and grasses that don’t require pesticides. If you need to protect fruits and vegetables, you might consider a greenhouse. They can help to keep bugs away and also provide a controlled environment. You’ll have better control over the temperature, water and light your plants receive.
If you want a more natural home, there are lots of things you can do to get it. Making adjustments to your home can help you change your lifestyle.
Staff Writer; Nikki Trump
