Tip of the Month: Deck the halls without the toxics
The holiday season is upon us. While you’re getting into the festive spirit by hanging up decorations or buying gifts for loved ones, there is chance that something not-so-festive could sneak into your home: toxic chemicals. Some of these chemicals have links to cancer, obesity, asthma and a slew of other health problems.
Here are some tips on how to create a jolly, and non-toxic, atmosphere in your home this holiday season.
Decorate the green way
Toxic chemicals can hide in festive items such as holiday trees, lights, and ornaments.
Phthalates can be found in plastic holiday ornaments, as well as scented items like candles. Phthalates are a group of chemicals linked to asthma, they can be a risk factor for diabetes, and one phthalate – DEHP – has been classified as a probable carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Scary stuff, butyou can easily make your home smell like the holidays the natural way by using essential oils, cinnamon sticks, and evergreen branches.
When it comes to decorations, au natural is also best. Choose ornaments made of natural materials such as metal, wood or ceramic. Or, for family fun, make your own! Here are some ideas:
- Try crafting your own ornaments from things found in nature, like real evergreen branches, pine cones, chestnuts, sticks, twigs, pumpkins and gourds. You can compost these afterwards.
- Let your kids make decorations out of coloured construction paper. That way you can recycle the paper later.
- Re-use outgrown or worn-out cotton, linen or wool clothes to make your own holiday stockings or table runners.
One more thing to note: if you like to have a holiday tree, beware of fake ones– especially older ones – because they can contain lead and PVC (polyvinyl chloride). In California, most artificial trees are required to come with a warning label for this very reason. Research has shown that lead dust tends to leach out from fake trees over time. If you buy a real tree, ask your local tree farm if they use pesticides. If the tree still has roots, even better. You can plant it when you’re done!
Choose non-toxic gifts
From toys to electronics, there is a chance that whatever is on your loved one’s wish list, it might include nasty chemicals.
Looking for bubble bath, soap or other personal care products to give as a gift? These products can also contain toxic ingredients – some of which have been linked to cancer, allergies and other health problems. You can find a list of the Toxic Ten chemicals to avoid in personal care products by visiting environmentaldefence.ca/toxicten. Also read our latest report to find out how the five biggest cosmetics companies in Canada rank when it comes to toxics.
Kids are exposed to harmful chemicals when they put toys into their mouths. This is a concern because kids, and in particular babies, are vulnerable to environmental toxins because their biological systems are still developing. While shopping for toys, choose items that are made from natural materials such as wood, stainless steel and organic cotton.
Give the gift of nature
The best part of the holiday season is getting together and spending time with friends and family. It doesn’t mean we have to spend money, or bring unwanted chemicals into the home, to do so. Plan an outing such as skating, skiing or snowshoeing and take advantage of the beautiful nature in your area. Also, check out Environmental Defence’s Gifts for the Future to find meaningful gifts that inspire change and defend our environment.
By following the above simple tips, you can go a long way to making this holiday season festive and toxic-free. Want more ideas? Check out our Storify for highlights from our recent Twitter chat on the topic that we co-hosted with Green Moms Collective.
We wish you and your family a happy, and toxic-free, holiday season.
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try to go green
about 90% of our household cleaner(s) are vinegar.. we use it in our laundry, cleaning surfaces and glass… we even use it as our weed killer in the garden
I try to buy green products, free of all the nasty chemicals out there. But I know I don’t always get that.
We use air and water filters and go as organic as possible.
I open the windows to let the fresh air in as much as possible and have been buying more natural products and using natural ingredients in my home , as the other cleaners run out.
I try not to use too many harsh chemicals
We go organic as much as possible. Thank you
Well, I have not been doing anything, and I notice my hands dry, and a constant cough. I have been looking for something like natural products.
We use natural laundry products and white vinegar in the rinse water. We no longer use aerosol sprays for anything including the baking pan sprays.
I only use natural products and homemade cleaning products of vinegar, baking soda and water
I try to use natural products like water and vinegar.
I’ve been trying natural “clean” laundry products. So far I have not found a favorite!
I always buy organic
I use natural cleaning products
We buy organic produce and meats.
I use a water filter.
we use shakley products
I make my own home cleaning items (ie with vinegar & baking soda). Also we’re going to get a dehumidifier to lessen our exposure to molds
Use natural products where I can
I grow some veggies and use green products where I can plus we have all energy saving appliances
I try to buy organic.
I grow my own veggies
we use air purifiers in our home and try to use as many natural cleaning products as possible
I use natural, environmentally friendly, or organic cleaning products
try using and making natural cleaning products and things for around the home
We use air filters.
Like all natural stuff. Thanks. Better for the family.
I try to buy natural cleaning products.
I try to buy organic products and foods as much as I possibly can.
I use organic cleaners.
Thanks for the chance.
mogrill12@gmail.com
I use naturals cleaning and beauty products
I buy natural cleaning products but, unfortunately, only when they’re on sale.
I use baking soda to clean as much as I can
I use natural cleaners like vinegar and baking soda
Use cleaning cloths vs. chemicals, I have a steamer for cleaning floors and we use dryer balls vs sheets in the dryer
I use a lot of homemade cleaners and we have an air cleaner on our furnace.
I use natural cleaners and air purifier.
I use all natural cleaning products and some I even make. I stop using aerosol sprays 10 years ago when even our dog was coughing when I sprayed air fresheners.
We stopped using bleach and harsh chemicals.
I use white vinegar to clean mirrors, windows & ceramic tile surfaces.
i use a steam mop to clean and try to use vinagar water solution to clean around the house
I make my own bathroom cleaners
use detergents only when necessary, always allow fresh air to circulate
I clean with non-toxic cleaners and use essential oils.
We avoid softeners and use vinegar instead.
I just try to use mostly natural products
We do not use any dryer sheets, just vinegar. I basically use vinegar for everything I love it! I even use it to wash all the fruits and veggies from the store =)
I just try to keep things as clean as possible.
🙂
I try to use natural products as much as possible! I could definitely do more though
I use all Natural Cleaning products.
not very much. i guess i never really thought about it before
I use natural cleaners and reusable wipes, unpaper and personal products.
trying to use anything natural and I love my Shark steam cleaner for bathrooms
I have a lot of houseplants. to clean the air. I try to buy laundry detergent with fewer chemicals, I use vinegar to clean.
I use natural cleaning products and body lotion. I’m also planning to try ‘no pooing’ after Christmas 🙂
chemical free soaps and cleaners
Trying to convert to Natural cleaners and will not purchase any air freshners.
Use most of the old tried and true methods from the old days before companies bombarded us with chemicals. I use vinegar and water to clean windows with newspaper. I use baking soda to clean pots etc. I clean floors with natural products. I use candles to dissapate smells.
I use white vinegar and hot water to wash the floors
I use natural cleaning products and a steam mop
I use natural cleaning products
I filter my water even though our tap water is supposedly good to drink.
I try to buy natural products.
I watch what is brought into the the home. That is the best way
we try to use natural cleaners and we have a pretty good water filter
Nothing. We use everything and anything we can.
I use all natural dish soap, and make my own facial scrub with coconut oil and brown sugar!
I use norwex cleaning products, no chemicals. I also have plants around the house to help take toxins out of the air.
I have a lot of houseplants to help clean the air.
I try to use natural products whenever I can.
We use natural cleaning products and try to eat as many organic foods as possible.
Don’t use products with ammonia in them, practice clean eating as much as possible (organic, non-gmo), make my own deodorant, (coconut oil & corn starch based) toothpaste (coconut oil, peppermint essential oil & baking soda based) laundry detergent, shampoos & soaps, dishwasher detergent, makeup (cocoa powder, cinnamon, beet root powder, french clay, all natural organic based), cleaning products (lemon-based), everything from nature! Although, I must say there are times when it seems impossible to find substitutes, which is where products like these ones would come in very handy!
We limit contact with plastics. Eat organic when we can. No packaged food and use natural cleaners.
I only steam mop with water.
I filter my water and rinse my fruits and vegetables 🙂
I am gradually switching cleaning products to natural or green ones.
I only buy natural cleaning products.
try to use natural cleaning agents
homemade cleaning supplies
easy on the chemicals
use natural ingredients to clean, vinegar and water!
Im going to be honest and say not a lot! Im kind of green when it comes to this stuff! I do believe its never too late to start tho and Im very interested to give it a try.
SLowly replacing alot of my household cleaners
I limit our purchase of health, beauty, and cleaning products that are not natural and organic,
I decorate with real evergreen branches.
De-odor the rooms naturally by opening up windows and letting fresh air in.
I try to buy products with natural ingredients
When we spray any strong cleaners, we try to keep the area well ventilated by opening windows and/or turning a fan on. Would like to start using some more environmentally-friendly products!
Try to use natural cleaning products (Orange cleaner, etc), and use an air filter in my office where I spend too much time 🙂
I use an air filter
I steam-clean my floors.
Better for our environment ,good products.
I try to buy organic items
most items are non gmo and not processed
We use mostly natural cleaning products.
I buy natural cleaning products
Try to go natural.
I make my own cleaners, my own ornaments, and never use aerosol sprays like fake snow and such.
Natural homemade multi-purpose cleaners made with Vinegar/Water/ Lemon juice/baking soda
I buy natural cleaning products!
No a lot and probably not enough
nothing, I’m a tough broad