Here are some more tips on indoor air, some of which I've shared before.
- Place welcome mats by doors to help remove pollutants carried inside on shoes, which is one of the biggest ways toxins enter our homes. Clean these mats regularly, and have a no-shoes-in-the-house policy. About 70% of household dust and dirt (which often contains lead and chemicals) is tracked indoors on the bottom of shoes. Not only does it reduce toxins in your house, but it means less cleaning - and a more comfortable floor for your kids to play on.
- Use natural cleaners that are biodegradable and created to be non-toxic. They don’t create harsh fumes. Plus, they conserve resources: If every home in the U.S. replaced just one 100 oz. bottle of petroleum-based laundry detergent with detergent made from plant-derived sources, we'd save 370,000 barrels of oil — enough to heat and cool 21,200 homes for a year.
- Avoid purchasing products with fragrances, particularly if you have someone in the house with allergies or asthma.
- Look for mattresses and toys made with natural materials, like cotton, wool, and wood. Before using, open the package and leave a well-ventilated room until the “new smell” dissipates. The odor you smell when opening a new plastic toy, shower curtain, or mattress are from volatile organic compounds (VOCs) should be aired out so they are released quickly.
- Instead of chemical room fresheners, try placing orange or lemon slices, cloves, or any other herb in boiling water on the stove.
- Clean floors with a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner that traps fine particles of dust, soot and pollen, and wet mop regularly. Check regularly to see if your vacuum bag is full and requires changing.
- Indoor plants help absorb impurities in the air.
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