.png)
3 Completely Free Ways to Reduce Toxins in Your Home Today
Aug 24
4 min read
2
17
0
Affiliate Disclosure:
Some of the links below are Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. I only share products I personally use or trust.
Free & Simple Habits
Hey, friends! I wanted to share a few simple (and completely free) habits we’ve started using at home to create a cleaner, less toxic environment. These are things you can implement right now — no big budget or full home detox required.
If you’ve read any of my other posts, you already know I recommend starting small, going slow, and avoiding overwhelm. You don’t have to do everything at once. That easily leads to stress... and let’s be honest, stress is a toxin, too!
A Quick Shoutout to Branch Basics: I’ve learned so much from Branch Basics' helpful articles on cleaning and detoxing the home. Many of the changes I’ve made in my own home started with tips and insights from their content. If you're interested in learning more, I’ve linked a few of their related articles at the bottom of this post under Helpful Resources & Quick Links.
Related Post: Click here to read my blog post on natural cleaning swaps for everyday cleaning, disinfecting, and laundry!
1. Leave Your Shoes at the Door
Shoes can bring in all sorts of unwanted stuff — pesticides, heavy metals, germs, feces, and probably more things you wouldn’t want to think about. Because of that, leaving shoes at the door is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce toxins in your home without spending a dime.
How to do it:
Place a shoe rack or basket by your entrance so everyone knows where to leave their shoes
Choose to go barefoot, wear socks, or put on indoor slippers once inside
Wipe your pets’ paws before they come indoors (this is something we’re still working on being more consistent about!)
Adding washable doormats both outside and inside your door can help trap even more dirt and pollutants before they spread through your home
2. Let the Fresh Air In
Did you know indoor air can actually be more polluted than outdoor air? It’s surprising, but true! Indoor air tends to trap all sorts of pollutants like dust, cooking fumes, chemicals from furniture and paint, off-gassing from packaged goods, moisture, and even mold spores.
We try to open our windows for at least 10–15 minutes a day — even a short burst of fresh air helps clear out all that built-up stuff.
Here’s what helps:
Opening windows on opposite sides of your home to create a cross-breeze
Air out new items (like furniture or rugs) in the garage or outside before bringing them in — this helps reduce off-gassing indoors
DIY Air Purifier
Okay, it's not completely free — but I recently learned from a Branch Basics article (linked at the bottom of this post) that you can make a budget-friendly "air purifier" by attaching a high-quality HVAC filter to the back of a box fan. Just turn on the fan and voilà: you’ve got a simple air filter that helps trap dust, allergens, and airborne toxins. I’m excited to try this while saving up for the air purifier I really want.
They recommend using a 20x20 box fan along with Filtrete brand filters rated MERV 11, 12, 13, or 14 — high enough to filter effectively, but still breathable enough for proper airflow.
3. Damp Dust & Vacuum Often
Household dust is a mix of flame retardants, microplastics, heavy metals, allergens, and other unwanted particles. These don’t just settle on surfaces — if you dry dust or use a fan, they can easily get kicked back into the air you breathe.
What we do:
We dust using a spray bottle, a chemical-free dusting spray, and a damp cloth — natural fiber for a plastic-free option, or microfiber for its electrostatic cling. We vacuum at least once a week, and more often when pet hair builds up or after lots of outdoor play. Our vacuum has a sealed HEPA filter to help trap even the tiniest particles, preventing them from being released back into the air.
Dusting Spray Options
Here are a few simple and effective options for dusting:
Just water
Streak-Free Branch Basics Spray – this is my go-to
DIY Natural Dusting Spray – This is a recipe recommended by Branch Basics that I haven’t personally tried yet, but it’s a great natural option:
Ingredients:
2 cups water
1 cup vinegar (or use unflavored vodka if you prefer an unscented version)
2 tablespoons olive oil
Optional: a drop or two of Branch Basics concentrate for added cleaning power
Tip: Always spot test any new cleaner, especially on wood surfaces.
Choosing a Sealed HEPA Vacuum
A good vacuum can make a big difference—especially one with a sealed HEPA system.
I personally use and love the Shark Apex Powered Lift-Away. While this exact model may no longer be available, many current Shark vacuums include HEPA filters and are definitely worth considering. Look for models that specifically mention "HEPA filtration and anti-allergen complete seal."
If you’re curious about why HEPA vacuums are so important for reducing toxins and improving indoor air quality, be sure to check out the Branch Basics article linked in the Quick Links section below.
Final Thoughts: Just Start With One Step
You don’t have to tackle everything at once. If you start with even just one of these changes, you're making progress toward a cleaner home.
These three habits are:
✅ Free
✅ Simple
✅ Super effective
Which one are you already doing, or thinking of trying? Drop a comment below and share what’s been working in your home — your tips might help someone else out!
With love,
Sydney
Helpful Resources & Quick Links
This post contains Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the ministry of this blog!
