Couch by Greener Lifestyles

Home is a sacred place. Home evokes a peaceful feeling of comfort and warmth. Home is full of cherished memories and dreams of the future. But for many of us, what’s in the home can also be making us sick.

Imagine coming home at the end of a hard work day, taking a deep breath, a sigh of relief. In that inhale is a mix of elements, oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen. In simple terms, we hold onto the oxygen and breathe out the rest. But could there be something else we’re holding onto in our lungs, our blood streams?

Think of that breath again. Then think about what’s in your home. Furniture, carpeting, wall coverings, and whatever you may have tracked in on the bottom of your shoes. A whole host of other particulates in the air come to mind: volatile organic compounds (VOCs), dust particles, dioxins, even heavy metals like lead. How can that be?, you might be thinking. I keep a clean house. Well, that too may be a problem.

Research has shown that being too clean or too hygienic may affect the way our bodies respond to infection or potential allergens. On the flip side, being exposed to certain microbes at an early age may be beneficial for the immune system. Children who grow up on farms have a reduced risk for developing asthma and allergies. It’s thought that exposure to livestock may be the key to a strong immune future. (Read more about the hygiene hypothesis.)

As we moved in droves from country to city over the last century, the likelihood of growing up in the company of hoofed creatures dropped dramatically. Add to that the increase in chemical and elemental pollution, the use of overly powerful cleansers, and the over-prescription of antibiotics, and we’ve got ripe conditions for compromised immune systems.

So what can we do about it?

There are a lot of simple ways to improve the air we breathe indoors, which in turn helps reduce asthma, allergy, and headache triggers (and sometimes worse issues like nerve and endocrine damage). And the planet might breathe a sigh of relief for it, too.

nurture some green

Most school kids know that plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen into the air. But there’s also something else plants absorb, helping us in the process: volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Plants have the ability to take in chemicals like formaldehyde, benzene, and toluene that off-gas from paint, furniture finishes and glues, and carpets and their adhesives. But not all plants are created equal. Gerbera daisy plant, snake plant (aka, mother-in-law’s tongue), and peace lily all top the list of toxin-absorbing greenery. Find more beneficial plants for your home.

To ensure plants are at their most effective chemical-absorbing capacity, pot them in organic soil, skip the chemical fertilizer, and keep their leaves clean and dust-free.

keep it clean, naturally

First, cut out the chlorine bleach. It not only kills too many germs, potentially creating resistant bacteria, it’s also unhealthy to inhale. It’s a known trigger of asthma attacks. Hydrogen peroxide is a less harmful, non-polluting substitute for disinfecting and whitening laundry.

Next, arm yourself with the good stuff. Some of the best cleansers are seriously simple and not harmful to your health, home, planet, or wallet: baking soda, borax, vinegar, citrus. Two of my favorite resources for homemade cleaning supplies are The Berkeley Ecology Center and this post from Planet Green.

For laundry, choose detergents that are free of chemical fragrances and choose dryer balls in lieu of dryer sheets. Also, skip the dry cleaner or choose a non-toxic option, like carbon dioxide cleaners such as Green Apple Cleaners.

Currently, manufacturers of cleaning products are not required to list their ingredients. Luckily for the public, this may be about to change. The Senate recently introduced the Household Product Labeling Act of 2009 which may make it easier for us to discern helpful from harmful products.

go bare

Our bodies don’t need much to stay clean and beautiful. Pure Castille soap like Dr. Bronner’s (I like the minty fresh variety) can be all one needs to clean the body, face, and hair. But if you like to add a few more agents to your corporeal cleaning routine, be sure to check the ingredients first. Petroleum-based ingredients, perfumes, and stabilizers are not only unhealthy to inhale, they can disrupt hormones and add to the pollution of waterways. These chemicals can be found in shampoos, lotions, deodorant, well, just about any product in a beauty regimen. Learn more about harmful chemicals in beauty products. Not sure about your favorite products? Check the Environmental Working Group’s Cosmetics Database.

think before remodeling

New furniture, paint, and carpeting can off-gas VOCs for months or longer. If you have plans to redecorate or add a fresh coat of paint, know the materials you’re using. For wall finishing, no- or low-VOC paints include Mythic, Aura, Milk Paint, and American Clay. Some low-VOC furniture options here and here (or you can buy used, which has already off-gassed). For floor coverings, skip wall-to-wall (collects a lot of dust) and opt for a hard surface like wood, cork, or natural linoleum (with low-VOC finish). Choose rugs made from natural materials like wool, cotton, or sea grass. For formaldehyde-free cabinetry, try Neil Kelly cabinets or other cabinet makers who promote healthy building materials.

keep the air flowing

Proper ventilation ensures the air in your home is well circulated, reducing the chance of breathing in stale, unclean air. Be sure your kitchen and bathroom are vented and that the ducts are clean. If you have a dryer, make sure it is properly vented to the outside of your home. Learn more about ventilation from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Other considerations

• Opt for beeswax candles with pure cotton wicks over petroleum-based paraffin candles. Be sure there are no artificial fragrances in them as well.
• Choose pure essential oils for freshening the air as opposed to artificially scented aerosol sprays
• Avoid ozone-producing air purifiers
• And of course, if you smoke, quit!

More resources on improving indoor air quality

• Household Products Database (US Department of Health & Human Services): Discover which products could be harmful to your health
• Indoor Air Quality Association: Find a professional air quality specialist trained to deal with serious issues like toxic mold
• Top 20 Green Tips for Improving Your Home Indoor Air Quality, from the Taiga Company
• 7 Surprising Sources of Indoor Air Pollution and How to Eliminate Them, from Planet Green
• Indoor Air Quality and Building a Home Addition, tips from the EPA

These are just some of the ways to improve indoor air quality. What other ways could we keep the air clean?