apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

This article has a great basic, doable list of ways to improve indoor air quality (which is far more polluted than outdoor air according to the EPA). Their suggestions:

• Open the windows as much as possible, if even just for a few minutes in winter.

• Change the filter on your heater every three months.

• Use green household cleaners to avoid nasty chemicals in the air, and burn soy candles rather than petroleum-based candles for scent.

• Fill your rooms with green plants that help to absorb your home's off-gassing (including carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and benzene).

• Prevent mold growth by properly ventilating kitchens and bathrooms, using dehumidifiers in damp spaces, and using a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter vacuum. They also suggest washing sheets every 10 days to kill off mites.

• Don't wear shoes in the house. They can drag in a lot of nasty airborne particles from the street.

• Don't smoke in the house, and ask guests to smoke outside.

• If you haven't already, install a radon detector. Radon is a potent carcinogen that can't be located by taste or smell.

• Air out new furniture and fabrics before bringing them into the home. Most contain formaldehyde that off-gasses at high levels for a few days. Even better...buy green furniture (and read Re-Nest for suggestions on where to look).

Click here to read the full article (in detail) at Conscious Choice.