How to Protect Your Family from Chlorine Exposure This Summer

If you are not staying away from chlorinated pools this summer (which is nearly impossible), then you want to learn how to protect yourself and your family with a few SIMPLE and EASY to implement techniques I am going to share with you today.

why would you want to reduce the exposure to chlorine?

Chlorine is the necessary evil and keeps our pools ‘clean’. But at what cost? Frequent headaches, body aches, fatigue or a summer cough may have EVERYTHING to do with chlorine exposure.

We know that chlorine is toxic. It is a poison. I preach about drinking and cooking with filtered or spring water, and no one I know would ever purposely drink chlorinated water. Research indicates that chlorine exposure is linked to quite a few scary things:

Asthma
Breathing Problems
Skin Rashes
Eye Irritation
Nausea/Upset Stomach
Sinus Problems
Fatigue
Dehydration
Coughing
Dry Skin/Hair
Cancer* (rectal and bladder cancers): The heightened risk is linked to exposure to a contaminant found in chlorinated water called Trihalomethanes (THMs) which forms when chlorine reacts with organic material. THMs are a widely recognized carcinogen.

*After 40 minutes of swimming, swimmers show an increase in markers of DNA damage that can lead to cancer.

Sunscreen, sweat, and urine, along with other fluids mix with the chlorine to cause over 100 different types of chemical byproducts (known as chloramines), many of which are extremely toxic. Chlorine’s chemical byproducts can get into the body through the skin. Exposure also comes from breathing air at the surface of the water, where chemicals become volatile. While swimming, individuals breathe faster and harder ending up with even more exposure to the chemicals and toxins.

Chloramines can be breathed from outside of the water too, especially at an indoor swimming pool.

The CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics both recognize the dangers that come from chlorine and chloramine exposure. It has been found that children with chronic health issues, such as asthma, autism, adhd, and other daily struggles, tend to feel the effects of the chloramines faster and more intense than those without these struggles, but absolutely anyone can be affected.

BUT IT IS SUMMER! IT IS HOT! THE KIDS NEED TO SWIM!

I hear YOU! That’s why I dug deep into research and figured out how we can help neutralize the effects of chlorine on the body and detox from exposure so that we can have fun and enjoy great health.

how to reduce chlorine exposure:

before swimming

Before getting into a chlorine water pool, get your hair and skin wet. This will make it harder for the chlorine to absorb into the skin.
Use a protective layer of oils or lotion to block the absorption of chlorine before getting into the pool. I share my lotion recipe below.
Take a vitamin C capsule. Vitamin C is proven to neutralize and undo the damage of chlorine and chloramine exposure. Mixing a high quality powder version of the vitamin into a glass of water to drink will help the body detox from the inside out, while adding the powder to a spray bottle of water and applying to the skin immediately after swimming neutralizes the toxins and encourages the body to detox them quickly. Vitamin C Powder is sunscreen: While sunscreen will not protect from chlorine, it can act as a slight barrier. With Vitamin C mixed into it, sunscreen can act as a protectant. This can be an important step if swimming is happening often!
Take Taurine: Take 1 capsule of a high-quality Taurine (I recommend Endomet brand found in my store) the morning before swimming. As an amino acid, taurine helps to bind and detoxify chlorine. Taurine should remain in your system for 48 hours.
Live a nontoxic lifestyle and love your liver!!! When you reduce your daily exposure to toxins and nourish yourself fully, you will not react as much to occasional toxins in the environment.

during swimming

Swim with goggles and a swimming hat when possible. This will reduce the amount of chlorine entering through the head and will protect the eyes.
Keep your mouth shut and eyes closed when swimming underwater to keep chlorine out of the body. This one seems obvious but maybe a good reminder to younger swimmers.

after swimming

As soon as you get out of the pool, rinse your body and hair to get the chlorine off. If possible, use natural soap and wash the body.
Use the after swimming detox spray generously over the body and hair. Follow the recipe below to make it.
Epsom Salt Detox Bath: Filling a bath tub with warm water and adding Epsom salts help to relax the muscles and pull toxins from the body. Sitting in the water for 15-30 minutes is all the body needs to feel like itself again. Follow the recipe below for even stronger effect!

other options

Swimming in fresh bodies of water is the best option; however, I know it isn’t always possible. If you have access to creeks, rivers, or better yet, an ocean, try swimming there instead of pools.

Saltwater can be very beneficial for the skin and the body when absorbed. Unlike swimming in a chlorine pool, I wouldn’t suggest rinsing ocean water off the skin right after swimming.

what if you own a pool?

There are several non-chlorine options for keeping your pool clean that can be much healthier. Consider saltwater or other minerals to keep the bacteria at bay.

Saltwater pools are the most popular option, next to chlorine. Maintaining a saltwater pool can be cheaper than using chemicals, and it is much better for the skin.

If you don’t already have a pool but are considering one, there are several non-chlorine filters available on the market. These filters are similar in price to a chlorine filter and require similar maintenance.

If you often swim in chlorine water, be sure to follow the guidelines above to reduce the risk of overexposure to chlorine.

detoxing spray recipe

ingredients

1 cup filtered water

2 tsp organic apple cider vinegar

1 tsp fractionated coconut oil

5 drops grapefruit essential oil

2 drops cilantro essential oil

instructions

Add all the ingredients to a spray bottle and shake until well combined. Remember, it is always best to use a glass spray bottle when using essential oils, as they can break down plastic over time.
Shake well before each use to make sure the oils are incorporated.

protecting lotion recipe

ingredients

Coconut oil
Olive Oil
Shea Butter
Cocoa Butter
Essential oils (I list my favorites below)
Vitamin C powder
Mason Jars (for storage)
instructions
Melt equal parts of each ingredient (except essential oils and vitamin C) in a double boiler. I make my own double boiler by placing a bowl over a pot of boiling water.
After the mixture is melted, place the bowl in the freezer until it’s set up a bit. You don’t want it to be solid, just firm.
Add essential oils and vitamin C.
Using a hand mixer or stand-up mixer, whip the ingredients together.
Store in an airtight container.
NOTE: I make this recipe by using a 1/2 cup of equal parts. For that amount of lotion, I do 20 drops of essential oils and 1 tablespoon of vitamin C powder.

best detoxing essential oils

Ginger
Juniper berry
Grapefruit
Cilantro

NOTE: When choosing essential oils to use, remember that most citrus essential oils are photosensitive. You will want to avoid those oils when in direct sunlight.

Learn how to confidently use essential oils

salt detox bath recipe

¼ cup sea salt
¼ cup Epsom salt
¼ cup baking soda
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
favorite essential oils if desired (I use 10 drops of peppermint or lavender)
Salt Detox Bath Instructions
Dissolve salt, Epsom salt, and baking soda in boiling water in a quart size jar and set aside. Fill tub with warm/hot water and add apple cider vinegar. Pour salt mixture in and add essential oils if using.
Soak in bath for 30 minutes or as long as desired. Note that with any detox bath, you may feel tired or lightheaded when you get out. I don’t recommend doing this while home alone or before going somewhere in case you are tired or need help.
This bath is great for soothing skin irritation, boosting magnesium levels, and overall detoxing.
oxygen detox bath recipe
This bath is especially helpful during illness as the ginger helps clear congestion or alleviate body aches. It can also be helpful for allergies or skin irritation.
- 2 cups (or more) hydrogen peroxide
- 1 TBSP dried ground ginger
Oxygen Detox Bath Instructions
1. Fill the tub with warm/hot water and add the hydrogen peroxide and dried ginger.
2. Soak in tub for 30 minutes or as long as desired.
vinegar detox bath recipe
This is an excellent bath for soothing skin problems since vinegar balances the skin’s pH. While I don’t love the smell of vinegar, if anyone in the family has sunburn, eczema, dandruff, or dry itchy skin we take a vinegar bath.
Apple cider vinegar has a whole host of benefits, and I find it helps not only my skin but leaves me with soft skin and shiny hair as well.
Vinegar Bath Instructions
1. Once or twice a week, I fill a tub with warm to hot water and add 1-2 cups of apple cider vinegar.
2. I soak for 20-30 minutes, using a washcloth to clean my face and making sure to get my hair wet as well.
After bathing, I rinse off in a cool shower, though some sources recommend letting the vinegar water dry on the skin.

additional detox bath notes

The warmer the water, the more powerful the detox effect will be.
If you have chlorine and fluoride in your water, I recommend adding a few tablespoons of bentonite clay to any of these baths to help absorb the chemicals so they aren’t absorbed into the skin. Here are some other ways to reduce chemicals in bath water as well.
Any of these natural ingredients can be used alone or in combination for a cleansing effect.
All recipes can be doubled or tripled but this will increase the detox effect.

more diy natural products for summertime (coming)

After Sun Spray

DIY Sunscreen

Sea Salt Spray

how to reduce chlorine exposure summary

Swim in fresh bodies of water when available.
Rinse the body and hair before getting in the pool.
Lather body with protecting lotion before swimming.
Take a vitamin C capsule and spray body with detox spray after swimming.
Take Taurine
Take care of your liver daily by reducing your toxic load (nontoxic living - cleaning, personal care, make up, organic produce etc.) and nourishing fully (nutrient deficiencies increase the absorption rate of the chemicals and heavy metals in the environment)
GET TESTED - I highly recommend getting your toxicity levels and nutrient deficiencies tested. You will feel so much better in a detoxed and fully nourished body. It is simple and inexpensive! Check it out here: