5 simple tips for low tox living

Low tox living is all about making conscious choices to reduce your exposure to harmful toxins to benefit your own health and the environment.

So, how might you embrace a more low tox lifestyle? It’s a similar approach to what you do when forming healthy habits. You make small steps towards a bigger change.

To help you in your low tox journey, here are five simple low tox tips that you could easily integrate into your life.

1. Clean out your cleaning cupboard

Many common household cleaning products may increase exposure to potentially harmful chemicals. Research has shown that making the switch to greener alternatives might reduce the presence of these chemicals in the air of your home. 

Your cleaning cupboard is a great place to start if you’re in the early stages of moving to low tox living. It may feel overwhelming to try and replace all your cleaning products at once. So, do your research and find a low tox alternative to buy when you finish a current product.

2. Switch to reusables

Many Australian state and territory governments have already made commitments to ban certain single-use plastics, such as plastic bags and straws.

This is just the beginning of going plastic-free. There are so many reusable products available now to help you achieve a lox tox lifestyle. From menstrual cups and period underwear to coffee cups and reusable produce bags, you could steadily phase out the single-use products in your life. 

3. Grow your own

Growing your own food allows you to control what chemicals you use, or don’t use, in the process. However, be sure to do some research when choosing quality soil, potting mixes and natural alternatives to treat pests.

Regardless of the pros and cons of organic food, it’s really rewarding to eat the fruit and vegetables you’ve grown yourself. The low tox benefits are a plus!

You could also take this a step further by reducing how many ultra-processed foods you might eat. It’s not just about how to stop eating junk food. The real goal is to eat foods that make you feel better and contribute to a healthier, low tox lifestyle. 

4. Choose your clothes wisely

There are more than 15,000 different chemicals used in fashion manufacturing, including solvents, bleaches and pesticides. Researchers have found these chemicals may transfer from clothing to the skin, and even penetrate through the layers of the skin. 

What could you do to minimise this effect? Start by buying from brands that are transparent about the toxins in their fabrics and choose sustainable fibres when possible. It’s also a good idea to wash any new clothes before you wear them.

5. Bring your plants inside

Here’s the simplest tip of all. Get your green thumb on because houseplants may make indoor breathing spaces healthier. It’s low tox living and interior decorating in one. Just add water!

Going low tox

As with any change, switching to low tox living needs to be sustainable. Try tackling one tip at a time to gradually add more to your lifestyle. 

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• Easy diet tips for going vegan

Reviewed by the healthylife Advisory Board March 2022.