Most of us see our homes as a safe haven, a place to relax and not worry about the world outside. What we don’t realize is our homes may not be quite as safe as we think. Indoor pollution can be just as dangerous as outdoor pollution. Who would have thought that the air in our homes could be more toxic than the air outside? No wonder we get so sick in the winter time, huddling indoors with no air circulation. So what are these toxins that are polluting our home? Well, there are many, but some of the biggest and most ignored are mold, cooking and chemicals that we use. 
Mold is known as the silent killer and grows well in humid and moist areas like under leaky sinks or under crawl spaces and attics. If you have mold, breathing in its spores is a huge problem and can even be deadly. Be sure to fix leaks and adjust your homes humidity. If you do find mold take care of it right away. A little tea tree oil and water will help with small mold spots, but for the big jobs get a professional over to assess the damage and clean it up. Which brings us to dust. Mold and dust alike are huge culprits of allergies. Be sure to dust and vacuum your home, frequently changing bags and filters. Make a no shoe rule in the house to reduce other allergens from coming into your home.
Vapors from cooking can also be an issue. It seems like an unlikely problem, but the fumes from cooking can aggravate asthma symptoms in certain people. For this, be sure to use the exhaust fan and clean it regularly. When cleaning your home it’s important to be mindful of the products that you bring into your home. Many of the household cleaning agents we use actually do more harm than good, especially for those with little ones or animals. Those carpet sprinklers may smell good, but your poor cat or dog may have a higher risk of a respiratory problem with repeated use. Look for non-toxic cleaning products or you can make your own. One teaspoon of borax, a little liquid soap and 2 cups of hot water mixed in a spray bottle makes a great all-purpose cleaner. I clean almost everything with baking soda and vinegar. There are other excellent cleaning recipes online. It’s not only better for your home, but easier on your budget.
The best way to get rid of unwanted pollutants in the air is to air out your home twice a day for at least 15 minutes. Open windows and doors and start fresh. Plants are another great solution for cleaning the air. Peace lilies, Boston ferns, Ivy and spider plants all work like an air filter. Check a nursery for other clean air plants. If you have pets or small ones be sure not to get plants that are poisonous. The ASPCA has a list of all poisonous plants. So go on and give your home a detox. You owe it to your home and your health.
Amanda Aksel
email: amandawinslett@gmail.com