Home Care
Clean Air Room
Designate at least one room in your home and business as a 'clean air room', where extra care is taken to keep indoor
air pollutants to an absolute minimum.
The best place to start is the bedroom.
When you have a good, deep sleep, your body is able to rejuvenate and is better equipped to
resist whatever challenges it may face during the day.
Keep all scented products and all aerosol sprays out of the bedroom.
(Essential oils can be used to give a very slight fragrance,
if you are sure your body tolerates it well. Even these can
be toxic, so do your research first).
Keep collectibles to a minimum. No dried flowers (which collect dust and can also
leave a lingering fragrance). No carpet. Air out bedding daily.
Dust at least once a week with a damp cloth (water only).
Open windows if outside air quality and temperature permit.
Use a high efficiency air purifier with a medical grade HEPA
filter and a deep bed activated carbon filter. You can become more familiar with Air Purifiers,
and you can look around in our Shop by Manufacturer and Shop by Category sections of our store.
'Air Fresheners'
Air fresheners and
deodorizers can trigger asthma. They do not clean the air; they merely mask odours and add pollutants to the
air.
Air Fresheners ≠ Fresh Air.
Air fresheners DO NOT equal fresh air.
In reality, most 'air fresheners' are
'air poisoners'. This includes sprays, gels, stand-alone
products and plug-ins. Apparently 60% of Canadians and 80% of Americans use these
'air fresheners'. Clever marketing has led us to believe
the lie that putting toxic chemicals into the air to make
it smell good is the same as creating fresh air. Not so!
Currently, in Canada air freshener and perfume manufacturers
are not required to list ingredients on their labels.
Ventilation
Since some harmful gases and vapors cannot be completely removed
even with safe residential indoor air cleaners, it is necessary
to periodically ventilate your home by opening windows and
doors when the weather and outside air quality are suitable.
This is also important to prevent a moisture build-up which
would be conducive to the growth of mold, which is also very toxic.
Humidity
In the winter keep relative humidity between 30% and 50% to minimize sore throats from air that is too dry, and dust mites and mould from growing in air that is too damp. In the summer try to keep the humidity level below 70%. Air conditioning helps to reduce humidity. Use exhaust
fans in bathrooms and kitchens, and vent clothes dryers to outside.
Be sure there is no standing water in air conditioners.
Maintain humidifiers and dehumidifiers according to manufacturer instructions.
Repair leaks and seepage. Thoroughly clean and dry water-damaged carpets and
building materials within 24 hours of damage.
Controlling Dust Mites
Cleaning regularly with a water dampened, finely woven microfibre cloth keeps
surfaces shiny and dust free.
As an extra precaution, you can cover your mattresses completely. Some health
advisors recommend washing bedding and soft toys frequently in water
at a temperature above 130oF to kill dust mites. Airing these
items outside in the sunshine and fresh air also helps to
keep them clean.
Remove carpet from bedrooms and clean
floors regularly (again water alone is usually sufficient).
After cleaning with water, make sure there is good ventilation
to allow the floor to dry thoroughly.
Elimination of Source Pollution
Formaldehyde
is one of the best known volatile organic compound (VOC) pollutants, and is
one of the few indoor air pollutants that can be readily measured. Identify,
and if possible, remove the source if formaldehyde is the potential cause
of the problem.
If not possible, reduce exposure: use polyurethane
or other sealants on cabinets, paneling and other furnishings.
To be effective, any such coating must cover all surfaces
and edges and remain intact. (For chemically sensitive individuals,
wear an appropriate face mask while applying
the chemical, and then leave the area until the coating
is cured.) Formaldehyde is also used in permanent press
fabric and mattress ticking. Sensitive individuals may choose
to avoid these products.
If you are planning to build a new home, do some research on environmentally 'friendlier' building products.
Acetone in inks,
nail polish, and cleaning fluids is a common irritant in homes. Discard all
newspapers as soon as you are finished with them.
Laundry and Dishes
A small amount of vinegar in laundry wash water removes the lingering smell of 'second hand'
perfume. I call perfume 'second hand' when you do not wear
any fragrance, and your clothes pick up the scent from someone
else's perfume (or hair spray, etc).
My favorite laundry soap is Nature Clean's 'unscented laundry liquid'.
My favorite dish soap is Seventh Generation ' free and clear natural dish liquid'.
General Household Cleaning
Vacuum carpets and upholstered furniture regularly. Note: While
it is important to keep an area as dust-free as possible,
cleaning activities often re-suspend fine particles during
and immediately after the activity. Very sensitive individuals
should be cautioned to avoid such exposure, and have others
perform the vacuuming, or use a commercially available true
HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filtered vacuum.
I just recently purchased a Dyson vacuum (the 'City' model) at Sears and I'm quite happy with it.
Vinegar and baking soda are both very handy to have in your home.
They go a long way in replacing other cleaning products.
Vinegar and water in a spray bottle works well for cleaning mirrors.
Vinegar with baking soda in water works for cleaning toilets.
Add baking soda first, then vinegar; it will bubble up. Leave
for a while; overnight if possible. Then use a cloth or brush
to clean.
For cleaning drains, add baking soda and
vinegar the same way as for toilets: baking soda first, then
vinegar. Then add a bit of water; you can expect some bubbling.
Let is stand for a while before running lots of water into
the drain.
Norwex Enviro cloths and mops are made of high quality, finely woven microfibre—excellent for cleaning with water only. The very fine
weave removes 99.9% of bacteria from smooth surfaces,
resulting in a cleaner, healthier environment. At the
same time you are reducing the amount of toxic chemicals in your home by using water only. The silver antibacterial agent woven into Norwex's antibac microfibre destroys bacteria in the cloth within hours.
Your Ideas
If you have tips on improving indoor air quality, and would like to share
them on this web page, please contact us.
We will select some of your ideas and add to this section periodically.
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