The everyday items you use to clean your house or store your food could be making you and your family ill.

Scientific advancements have made life easier and more convenient, but convenience has come at a cost.

Many of the developments have also introduced harmful chemicals to our bodies. Thankfully, it’s relatively straightforward to modify your habits to ensure you’re keeping your family safe.

Keep These Chemicals Out Of Your Home

Most homes contain a range of chemicals that are at best harmful, and at worst outright dangerous. Chlorine-based bleach, Bisphenol-A (BPA), lead, PVC, phthalates and toxic pesticides can be found in cupboards of most Australian homes, but they don’t need to be there.

Replace Chlorine-Based Bleach

Take chlorine-based bleach for example. While it’s been traditionally used to clean bathroom tiles and baths, it can easily be replaced with a 50-percent white vinegar and water solution to clean tiles, cabinets and remove soap scum from showers. It smells better and cleans just as effectively.

Buy Organic

When shopping, make sure you keep an eye out for the Australian Certified Organic “bud’ logo on the products you buy. It’s displayed on organic products and has a certification number unique to the producer or processor, which allows for traceability throughout the production system. This ensures you’re getting the highest-quality products with minimal impact on the environment.

Beware of BPAs

Also be alert for storage containers that use Bisphenol-A (BPA). This chemical has been linked to cancers and can be found in plastic storage containers, aluminium cans, lids and some receipts.

Eat Fresh

Wherever possible, try to eat your food as fresh as possible (and un-packaged), and avoid plastics by storing any leftovers in glass, or stainless steel containers. Lead and Vinyl also find their way into many common household items, including car keys, baby powder, cosmetics, flooring, baby dolls, teethers, bath toys and artificial turf. Try to only use baby products – including toys, teethers, and clothing – made from natural materials.

Stay Away From Additives

As a general rule, I’d also recommend sticking to certified organic food devoid of toxic pesticides, synthetic colourings, preservatives, additives or genetically modified ingredients. Synthetic food additives are thought to be linked to symptoms such as allergic reactions, asthma, and even Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Eating certified organic food will help you feel better and more energetic.

Currently, Australian legislation does not require foods made with genetically modified material to be labelled as such – the best way to avoid these so-called ‘Frankenfoods’ foods is to look for an organic certification logo.

Your body will thank you for it.