There are plenty of easy ways to improve the environmental health of your home, but many of them are easily forgotten. Some of these you might know (like avoiding chemicals and paints with VOCs), but did you know that using mats on both sides of doors can eliminate up to 80% of the dirt that gets tracked inside? Read about this and more tips below:
While I won't repeat all 72 hassle-free steps here (see ThisOldHouse for the entire list), I will point out a few of my favorites. Here are my 7 favorite tips from 72 Hassle-Free Steps to a Healthier Home.
- Air out dry cleaning. Take off plastic bags before you come inside so that any residual perchloroethylene, a common dry-cleaning solvent and suspected carcinogen, can evaporate. If your dry cleaning has a strong chemical odor when you pick it up, give it back and ask that it be properly dried. Or Google "organic dry cleaning" to find a perc-free service near you.
- Change fridge filters before their expiration date. If your refrigerator comes with a water dispenser, change the filter every six months, before sediment buildup starts to overwhelm it.
- Opt for a copper sink or counter. The metal is naturally antimicrobial.
- Invest in machine-washable curtains. Keeping them dust- and allergen-free will be that much easier.
- Swap out vinyl shower curtains for washable nylon or polyester ones. Vinyl can contain phthalates, which may be hazardous to reproductive health.
- Install linoleum, cork, tile, wood, or stone in place of carpets and vinyl flooring. Unlike vinyl, these natural materials contain no phthalates, and linoleum inhibits bacterial growth. All collect less dust than carpeting does.
- Nip fleas naturally. Launder your pet's bedding regularly in hot water. Take it to a commercial laundry if your machine can't handle the bulk.
- Avoid placing office equipment in the bedroom; copiers and printers can generate lung irritants.
(Image: ThisOldHouse)
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In general, I love the idea of living phthalate, chemical, irritant and bacteria free. However I feel hindered by the sheer amount of articles that focus on the DON'TS and not the things that we CAN do... I know alot of people who feel the same as me... I want to see articles that say " Have you thought about changing your blah blah lately... here are some allergy free blah blahs ..... how great are they!" rather than things like "chances are your blah blah is making you sick... bad you.. very bad you..." I am glad to see that this article has appeared and is doing a good job at it. :D
I agree, this is a great article because it gives you suggestions and tips. The content is meant to help you, not scare you.
When my wife and I had our son in September, we started looking at all the "warnings" and hazards that are out there for little ones. An amazing tidbit we discovered was the amount of chemicals and toxins that are contained in carpet. We starting seeking a solution and discovered Floorganics, an all natural carpet with no toxins. Also, the carpet is biodegradable so that if we decide to change it one day, it doesn't clog up the landfill. We couldn't be happier that he our son is crawling around now on something that is safe.
Tremendous sense of relief.
Floorganics: all natural carpet
Why would you ever suffer through fleas naturally? Washing bedding (and keeping uncarpeted floors, which makes life difficult for pupal fleas) are always a good idea. Fleas are more than an annoyance - they actually vector a tapeworm of dogs, which can have health consequences in a severe infestation (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/dipylidium/factsht_dipylidium.htm) and potentially infect people. There's no real reason to use the old flea collars and such like that, which is probably what they're talking about. Newer topical or oral flea meds do an excellent job and are often combined with dewormers (necessary, as D. caninum is not the old intestinal parasite people can pick up from their pets, and some cause skin lesions) and heartworm preventatives. These are very safe (unless you have collies, in which case there are alternative medications to all of these) and there's almost no human exposure involved in them (unless you manage to medicate yourself with them or insist on touching the wet fur where you administer them)