Have you ever stopped to think about the air quality in your home? According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the air we breathe inside our homes and offices can be five times more polluted than the air outside, and this may be affecting the health of you and your family members.
Harsh cleaning chemicals like ammonia and bleach give off fumes that can irritate your nose, mouth, lungs and skin. People with asthma, chronic sinusitis or other lung conditions are especially vulnerable, as the fumes can cause inflammation and make it more difficult for those people to heal from infections. Dyes and synthetic fragrances may also cause problems for people with allergies.
Other common indoor pollutants include perfumes, particulates from candles and incense, craft and office supplies, wood-burning fireplaces and stoves, and old building materials like asbestos, formaldehyde and lead.
Besides dusting, vacuuming and changing air filters regularly, here are 5 more simple ways to reduce the amount of air pollution in your home this year:
Replace any harsh chemical cleaning products with natural alternatives. Rebel Green offers a full line of household cleaners, including All Purpose Sprayand Sparkling Glass Spray. This dynamic duo is the perfect, plant-based way to get a streak-free shine on your windows and other non-porous surfaces.
Wash bedding weekly using hot water. This will reduce the presence of dust mites and other allergens. And Rebel Green’s USDA-certified organic laundry detergents are free of sulfates, phosphates, phthalates and synthetic fragrances.
Minimize use of candles, incense and other air fresheners. If you do need to clear the air with a little fragrance, then use Rebel Green Fresh Room Spray. Like all scented products from Rebel Green, this plant-based product gets its intoxicating smell from pure essential oils (no synthetic fragrances).
Add more houseplants. NASA researchers have identified 10 plant species that are especially good at absorbing air toxins: Areca Palm (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens), Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa), Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii), Rubber Plant (Ficus robusta), Dracaena “Janet Craig” (Dracaena deremensis), Philodendron (Philodendron sp.), Dwarf Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii), Ficus Alii (Ficus macleilandii “Alii”), Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata “Bostoniensis”), Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum “Mauna Loa”).
What are some other ways you like to reduce air toxins in your own home?
