We're off to a cold start this year in New England and so, while I'm staying warm and cozy inside, I've decided to freshen up my house despite the closed windows. I've been cleaning out closets, organizing paperwork and getting myself in good shape for the brand new year ahead.

Over the holidays, my friend Laura told me about an article that she'd read about detoxifying homes. My first thought was that, since I only use envornmentally safe cleaning products, my house wouldn't need a detox. 

But boy, was I surprised when I took a look at all the ways that toxins were entering what I thought was a really clean house!

So today I want to share with you five easy things that you can do to make sure your house is safer than ever from toxins.

1. Take your shoes off at the door. This is a big one and, thankfully, my family has been doing it for a while. By taking our shoes off as we enter the home, we reduce what gets tracked in by 80 percent.
   
   Here are just a few of the things that can enter our home on shoes: dust, dirt, pesticides, road sealant, lead salt and pet waste. Instead, try splurging on some warm, cozy slippers that will greet you at the door.


2. No more air fresheners. When people use air fresheners, phthalates are released into the atmosphere, where they may be inhaled absorbed by the skin. This chemical is known for altering hormone levels and can cause other health problems.
   
   For a more natural way to add fragrance to your home, try a pomander (an orange studded with cloves) or a simmering pot filled with cinamon sticks, apple peels, vanilla, apple juice, nutmeg and other spices.


3. Eat organic fruits and vegetables. Each year the Environmental Working Group (EWG) ranks supermarket produce by the amount of pesticides found on various fruits and vegetables. They make lists to alert consumers, called the Dirty Dozen (the fruits and vegetables you should always buy organic) and the Clean 15 (those that can be safely purchased from conventional growers).
   
   You can read the lists here, and take them with you when you shop. As the EWG suggests, if you can't afford to buy all organic produce you can reduce toxins in your diet by buying organic versions of the Dirty Dozen.


4. Use non-toxic cleaning products. Look for "green" cleaners that don't contian chlorine or ammonia. Choose items that say "petroleum-free," "biodegradable," or "phosphate-free."
   
   Use vinegar instead of bleach, baking soda to scrub your tiles and hydrogen peroxide to remove stains. For window cleaning I recommend diluted lemon juice or vinegar.


5. Wash your hands. Studies show that regular soap and water works well for killing germs. To get the most from your handwashing, make sure to rub the soap throughly on the backs of your hands and between your fingers. Sing the alphabet while you do it to make sure you're washing long enough (20 seconds).
   
   I also suggest that you skip the antibacterial soap, as some researchers believe that the hyper-cleanliness that results from using them has led to weakened immune systems.