Whether you live in a studio apartment, a townhouse, or mini mansion, our homes are our castles. They are the place where we should feel safe and sound and able to exhale once we walk in the door.

It is becoming more difficult to feel safe and sound with all the hidden chemical dangers in our home. I read too much and it makes me lose sleep. Every day there is something in the news about a new risk in some cleaning or building product. "Don't you wish that sometimes you just didn't know," my Naturopathic doctor recently asked me. Sometimes I think it would be easier if I didn't know but knowledge gives me the ability to fight back. Here are some of the weapons you can use to protect your castle and your family.

1. Stop using any potentially toxic cleaners including drain cleaner/decloggers, bleach, anti-bacterial wipes, oven cleaners, acidic toilet products. Replace these with natural or enzyme based cleaners or some old-fashioned cleaners such as baking soda or vinegar.
2.  Phase out the use of plastic food containers and ideally all plastic containers from your home. Use glass, steel or aluminum containers to store just about anything.
3. Stop using commercial air fresheners and carpet deodorizers. To freshen your home, open the windows and keep the humidity levels at about 50%. If you just can't live without a scent use essential oils mixed with vinegar and water or boil some apples and cinnamon on the stove. See the carpet recipe below for a natural cleaner.
4. Reduce the electro-magnetic exposure by keeping electronics off your nightstand and move the television out of the bedrooms. Reduce or eliminate the use of wireless routers and phones in your home, particularly if you have a home office.