Creating a Natural Home Guide

While you might not have much control over outdoor pollutants that you are exposed to, you do have a great deal of control over the toxins and pollutants in your home. The following guideline will reduce unwanted chemicals in your indoor environment and help create a healthful and natural home. 

1. Bring in fresh air. To reduce the pollutants accumulating within your home, open the windows to let fresh air circulate: 15 minutes in the morning and evening is sufficient. Do this during the winter months. if you live with a person who smokes or if your home is in a heavily polluted area, consider buying an air purifier. Air filters can be installed in the ventilation system of your home or portable air filters can be used in individual rooms.
2. Reduce formaldehyde. Formaldeyde is a volatile, toxic and carcinogenic gas found in products such as plywood, particle board, paneling, wood finishes, carpeting, furniture, permanent press fabrics and household cleaners. To minimize outgassing of formaldehyde, keep the indoor temperature around 65-70 degrees and the humidity between 35 and 50 percent. Install humidity and temperature gauges and read them regularly.
3. Purify your home with plants. Common houseplants such as aloe vera, philodendron, spider plant, ficus, English ivy, peace lilly, and schefflera are a pleasing way to purify the air. They remove a variety of pollutants, including benzene, carbon monoxide and formaldehyde, from the air.