Detoxify Your Home for Greener Air Indoors

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the air within our homes can be more polluted than outdoor air in even the largest industrialized cities. They also estimate that we spend 90 percent of our time indoors. Now is the time to detoxify your home and prevent problems such as asthma, lung cancer, eye and respiratory tract irritation and a host of other health problems.

Detox Your Home Step One: Get Tested
Testing your home for various contaminants will alert you to any serious problems. Do-it-yourself testing kits are available at hardware stores. Radon is a common pollutant that is easy to test for. Make sure the testing kits you purchase are state certified.

Install a carbon monoxide alarm in your home. An unpleasant odor is added to the natural gas that is sent to your home to heat it and operate gas powered appliances like stoves. It should be detectable if you are awake. However, a gas leak may occur at night or come from a source that is unscented like a running car sitting idle in the garage.

Detox Your Home Step Two: Improve Ventilation
Open doors and windows when the weather is nice to let in some fresh air. Circulating outdoor air into your home will dillute harmful airborne toxins. Remember to clean and/or replace air filters in fans. Consider investing in air purifiers. Although they do not remove all contaminates they can be helpful.

Detox Your Home Step Three: Clean With Green
Ironically many pollutants in our home come from cleaning products and air freshners. A clean home can be achieve by using natural cleansers like baking soda for bathtubs, sinks and toilets and diluted vinegar for windows and mirrors. These products are effective and will cost you less. If you feel like you must use commercially marketed cleaning products look for those marked as green, biodegradable or organic. Method brand cleaning supplies are good and available nationwide at Target stores. Avoid aerosol cans when possible and follow the instructions on the products carefully.

Dust your home with a damp cloth frequently especially if you have children. Cleaning products can cling to dust particles and be circulated througout your home. Dust can also contain lead and pet dander.

Detox Your Home Step Four: Keep Dry
Moisture in your home can cause mold and mildew to grow. Keep your home as dry as possible. Use the fan in your bathroom when you bathe and shower. Check for water leaks especially under sinks and in the basement. If you live in a humid climate use a dehumidifier in your home. Remember to clean it often. Ventilate your home well after cleaning your carpets so they will dry quickly.

Detox Your Home Step Five: Eliminate Other Pollutants
Smoking in your home, having a pet, using pesticides, and installing new carpet all contribute to indoor pollution. Educate yourself about what contains toxins and avoid them or find ways to decrease the dangers they present. A healthier lifestyle includes making sure the air we breathe is as clean as possible.

Sources:
Environmental Protection Agency http://www.epa.gov
World Health Organization http://www.who.int/en/