Best Eco Stuff

Did you know that your carpeting, interior paint, bedding, and even wood furniture might be releasing harmful gases into your home?  Add dirty air filters, chemical-laden cleaning products and cigarette smoke and your home can become quite a toxic environment.  This problem gets even worse during the winter, when experts estimate that air quality is 1000 times worse than other times of the year.  Since summer is here, now is the time to make any necessary changes. You can improve your family’s health and help the environment at the same time by taking a few simple steps toward improving indoor air quality.

Here’s how:

• Have your heating and cooling systems regularly serviced – they can be a source of biological allergens.  The filters should be changed periodically, and the water trays emptied.  Not only will the air be cleaner, but your energy bills will go down due to higher efficiency.
• Purchase air purifiers for your home.  They can absorb dust, mold spores, pollen, chemicals, and bacteria.  Place them in the areas where you spend the most time, such as the living room and bedrooms.
• Buy bedding, drapery, and paint that is chemical-free.  Organic fabrics and VOC-free paints are colorful, beautiful, and much healthier for you and your family.  VOC stands for volatile organic compounds, which are hazardous to your health and the environment.
• Don’t buy pressed wood products, such as particleboard and MDF (medium density fiberboard) – they release formaldehyde into the air for years after they’re manufactured.  Choose sustainably harvested hardwoods or recycled materials instead.
• Have your insulation replaced if your home is more than 20 years old.  Old insulation can contain asbestos, which is very harmful to your health.  Any material containing asbestos in your home should be removed by professionals.
• Place potted plants around your home for natural air purification.  Some plants such as peace lilies, spider plants, bamboo palms, mums, and English ivy even remove dangerous toxins from the air.
• Switch to all natural pesticides and cleaning & personal care products, and never use aerosols.
• Replace wall-to-wall carpeting with sustainable hardwoods, like bamboo, or chemical-free alternatives.  Natural eco-friendly options are readily available in a wide variety of colors and styles.
• Groom your pets frequently to cut down on dander, and use natural pet products whenever possible.
• Never allow smoking in your home.