Easy Way to Go Organic in Your Home – Baby Step Tips Room by Room!

Home » Easy Way to Go Organic in Your Home – Baby Step Tips Room by Room!

August 9, 2012 byOlger Fallas in Carpentry with Comments Off

Does the thought of turning your home into a healthier organic home overwhelm you? If you are thinking it all has to be done at once, then it certainly would seem like a daunting task. However, there is a lot you can do to ease that burden, and taking one room at a time is one.

You could also do it in baby steps in each room. There are no rules that dictate how you go about turning your home into a natural haven for optimum health and a safe environment for your family. It’s your home, your pace.

So, I am going to share some tips with you on what you can do to go organic, and break it down room by room for you as well. Of course, it will be up to you to determine if you want to tackle them all at once, or if you want a slow transition.

Kitchen is the Family Hub

The kitchen seems to be where most families gather, or company when you have visitors. It’s also where we prepare food, which we place in our bodies, and is what I want to focus on for this section.

Many of the foods we consume, including fresh veggies and fruit, have been grown with pesticides and chemicals within the fertilizing process. Even cattle and chicken are often raised with chemically infused grain for their feedings.

So, other than replacing the towels with organic, and using natural or organic cleaners, the first thing you might want to do is to slowly replace your fridge and pantry with organically grown and developed foods. I am not suggesting that you throw everything you have out, simply replenish something with organic when you need it.

Bedroom where We Rest Our Head

Most of us spend a large portion of our day in the bedroom, even though we are sleeping when we do. One area that you can significantly boost your health is to replace the carpet with natural flooring. There is a variety of options from natural tile to bamboo. This will help reduce the allergens that tend to get trapped in carpeting.

However, another area is the bedding. Traditional sheets, comforters, and mattresses use chemicals during the process of making them. Organic bedding, does not. Would you prefer to rest your head for hours in a deep slumber on a pillow made with chemicals, or without? I know my choice.

Using Painters Tape in Maplewood New Jersey Bathroom (Photo credit: OlgerFallasPainting)

Bathroom is Ripe for Allergens

If you plan on starting with just one room, I would consider the bathroom. One reason is that it is small, and less to tackle. But, the most important reason is that with all the products found in there, it’s a smorgasbord for allergens and irritants. And, should I mention mold and mildew?
Here are some great tips for turning your bathroom into an organic oasis:

Organic or natural cleaners
Hypoallergenic shampoos and conditioners
Natural skin care
Organic towels and linen
Glass shower door, or an organic washable cloth without a plastic liner
Use the exhaust fan when showering to remove moisture in the air
Bamboo shower mat

As you can see, there are many things you can do to give your bathroom an organic and natural makeover.

Living Room fit for Breathing

I don’t think there is as much to do in here as the bathroom and bedroom, but probably more than you think. Let’s start with the carpet. Just like the bedroom, the carpet will trap all allergens, and is probably crafted with chemicals.

Replace it with hardwood, natural stone, or bamboo flooring. These are easy to clean and will not trap the allergens at all. If you choose to use areas rugs, make sure they are organically made, and you take them out often for a good cleaning…as in outdoors the old fashioned way with a broom to beat it. Using a hepa-filter vacuum will also help.

You would do well with a natural window treatment, such as wooden blinds. Fabric window treatments are just like carpet, but worse…as they are often neglected.

Finally, use all organic or natural cleaning products. You can make your own multi-purpose cleaner by mixing water and white vinegar in a 50/50 ratio. Another idea is to add a dash of lemon juice to a little olive oil and use it as furniture polish. Just think of the money you could save by making your own.

Laundry Room

The laundry room is easy, kinda. Keep it as dry as possible, because trapped moisture will turn into mold. Also, use a more natural detergent, such as borax. All the fancy detergents out there smell wonderful, but they are laden with chemicals, including those that provide that wonderful aroma. The heavily scented products come with a steep price.

For a fabric softener, try adding ½ cup of white vinegar to the rinse.

And, as a bonus…use cold water whenever you can. It will save on your energy bills, as well as your clothes.
As you can see, there are plenty of things you can do to turn your home organic and natural and provide a healthier environment for your family. Each room has its own trappings for allergens and trouble, but also areas that you can take on without breaking the bank, or your back.

About the Author:

Freelance writer Rick and his wife reside in Halifax, on the rugged east coast of Nova Scotia, where he also enjoys kayaking and hiking whenever possible. Rick Mercado is in his early thirties, and already enjoying a successful career as a writer and online marketer. Although he mainly works from home, he often sneaks off to the local coffee house with his laptop to do research on topics such as his latest, natural skin care remedies.