5 Ways to Prep Your House When You're TTC
When you’re preparing for pregnancy, you’ve probably already heard of the main steps to take: clean up your diet, give sobriety a chance so your body can detox, and start taking a prenatal. While all of these steps are necessary and important, another way to prepare yourself and the baby you’ll grow is by creating an environment that is safe and as toxic free as possible. Let’s explore ways you can prepare your home for an eco friendly pregnancy.
5 Ways to Prep Your House When You’re Trying to concieve
#1 Swap out your cleaning products for natural alternatives
Using safe cleaning products can be the first and easiest swap to make to keep your health and environment as safe as possible. We’ve distilled down how harmful cleaning products and heavy metals can be to your health and gathered a handful of DIY cleaning products that you can make yourself.
#2 Switch to safer makeup and beauty products
Unfortunately, most of the beauty products that we’re accustomed to harbor toxic chemicals and are laced with hormone disruptors. The products you consume and absorb are especially important and impactful to the development of your baby so becoming familiar with your makeup and using safer products before you’re pregnant is key. Here’s a list of ingredients to avoid:
Acetone
Ammonia
Benzalkonium Chloride
BHT, BHA
BPA
ButylatedHydroxytoluene
Coal tar hair dyes
EDTA
Ethanolamines
(MEA/DEA/TEA)
Formaldehyde
Hydroquinone
Lead
Methylisothiazolinone
and methylchloroisothiazolinone
Microbeads
Oxybenzone
Parabens
Perfluorodecalin
Phenols
Phthalates
Polyethylene glycol
PolypropyleneToluene
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
and Sodium Laureth
Sulfate (SLS and SLES)
Synthetic Flavor
or Fragrance
Toluene
Tricolsan
Triple Dye
#3. Toss out all your plastic tupperware and bring on the glass
BPA and endocrine disrupting chemicals can be found in nearly all plastic storage containers which is why it’s important to store your foods in glass or stainless steel containers. The good news is that it only takes about 2-3 days for BPA to leave your system so you’ll benefit from this transition quickly.
#4. Choose fragrance free products
The term ‘fragrance’ is essentially an umbrella term that can mask up to 300 different ingredients. Because the chemicals that make up the term ‘fragrance’ have been linked to cancer and other adverse health effects, it’s best to steer clear from anything with the term ‘fragrance’ listed on it. If you’re big on scent, choose products that are made with natural essential oils so that you get the lovely perfume without the harmful side effects.
#5. Take off your shoes when you get home
Did you know that wearing your shoes inside the home can contribute to 60% of indoor air pollution? In a recent study, 22 pesticides were found within the dust of the homes of folks living in Salinas, CA - an agricultural community. The US EPA and the National Institute of Environmental Health found that low-level, chronic pesticide exposure found within these homes would lead to a variety of health issues that are especially problematic for fetuses and small children. Additionally, harmful carcinogens like coal tar, lead and other heavy metals have also been linked to behavior disorders and anemia. All these contaminants have been tracked through the home from wearing shoes indoors. The simple solution? Take off your shoes when you get home.