![\"\"](%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/09%5C/ubder-your-bed-10.jpg%5C%22 "\\"\\"")
\n\n\n\nBe mite smart\n\n\n\n
Let the sheets and duvet air out for an hour before you make the bed to help control moisture-loving mites. To really sock it to them, wash all of your bedding once a week in hot water, and vacuum your mattress.\n\n\n\n
Build up humidity\n\n\n\n
In a high-usage area of your home like your bedroom, the air quality matters\u2014a combination of humidifiers, fans and fresh air will keep your bedroom at an ideal 45 per cent humidity for a good night of shut-eye.\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/09%5C/image-34.png%5C%22 "\\"\\"")
\n\n\n\nDon\u2019t let it get too wet\n\n\n\n
\u201cWatch for warning signs of moisture problems, like condensation on your windows during cold weather,\u201d says Dr. Jeffrey Brook, an environmental health and urban air quality expert at the University of Toronto\u2019s Dalla Lana School of Public Health. \u201cIt\u2019ll lead to mould growth, not to mention ruined window frames.\u201d\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/09%5C/image-35.png%5C%22 "\\"\\"")
\n\n\n\nReduce your toxin exposure\n\n\n\n
Dispose of dry cleaning bags before you enter your home so that any residual perchloroethylene (called \u201cperc\u201d by professional dry cleaners), a common dry cleaning solvent and suspected carcinogen, can off-gas safely. In fact, you should steer clear of anything that smells plasticky; the likely culprit is phthalates, a group of toxic chemicals used to soften plastics and increase their flexibility, and which are found in cosmetics, textiles, kids\u2019 toys and a zillion other common household products.\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/09%5C/image-36.png%5C%22 "\\"\\"")
\n\n\n\nAvoid air fresheners\n\n\n\n
They mask mildew odours with fragrance-bearing phthalates and contain harmful VOCs that contribute to terrible indoor air quality. You want to be able to smell those musty odours so you can address them right away. Similarly, cut back on candles and incense. They create a cozy atmosphere, sure, but they also release fine particulates into the air. If you\u2019re set on using candles, use a snuffer instead of blowing them out.\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/09%5C/home-safety-checklist-bedroom-avoid-air-fresheners-1024x768.jpg%5C%22 "\\"\\"")
\n\n\n\nIn the Bathroom: Watch out for mould\n\n\n\n
Maintain caulking to inhibit growth around your shower, tub and sink\u2014it should last five years, but any cracking, shrinking or discolouration means it\u2019s time to replace. That\u2019s easy to do, and worth a day\u2019s work; exposure to mouldy environments can cause nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation or, in some cases, skin issues. If you have compromised immunity, this is especially important.\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/09%5C/image-37.png%5C%22 "\\"\\"")
\n\n\n\nDetox your cleaning routine\n\n\n\n
To clean grout around shower or floor tiles, use a homemade baking soda and hydrogen peroxide paste\u2014it\u2019s just as effective as retail cleaners but cheaper, and an easy way to reduce the number of airborne chemicals you\u2019re inhaling.\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/08%5C/cleaning-for-stainless-8.jpg%5C%22 "\\"\\"")
\n\n\n\nTurn on the fan\n\n\n\n
Always run it for 20 minutes after a shower to draw out the damp, mildew-making air. U of T\u2019s Brook suggests doing the tissue test\u2014hold a tissue up to the fan to see if it sucks in and holds tight\u2014to make sure it\u2019s working efficiently. If it takes a long time for the steam on your mirror to clear after a shower, that\u2019s also a sign of poor ventilation.\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/09%5C/image-39.png%5C%22 "\\"\\"")
\n\n\n\nAvoid shower gunk\n\n\n\n
In sporadically used buildings like cottages, it\u2019s important to hold a face cloth or hand towel over the shower head before you turn on the water to eliminate the initial blast of dangerous airborne bacteria (like legionella) that can build up in plumbing pipes.\u00a0\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/09%5C/image-40.png%5C%22 "\\"\\"")
\n\n\n\nCut back on personal care products\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t overuse hairspray, shampoo and deodorant. They\u2019re throwing out major levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)\u2014new research suggests as much as car emissions.\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/09%5C/image-41.png%5C%22 "\\"\\"")
\n\n\n\nDon\u2019t rush cleaning\n\n\n\n
The offending surface should be wet with the cleaning agent from disinfectant wipes for three to 10 minutes, depending on the brand, to properly kill the worrisome germs. To cut down on chemicals, choose wipes that use essential oils with antibacterial and anti-fungal properties as the active ingredients.\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/09%5C/image-42.png%5C%22 "\\"\\"")
\n\n\n\nIn the Kitchen: Toss sponges\n\n\n\n
They retain water and food particles and are a cesspool of bacteria. One study found 362 different species living in the average kitchen sponge; 82 billion bacteria were living in just 16.4 cubic centimetres of space. Eep. Instead, use scrub brushes and thin, quick-drying cloths (most bacteria die during the drying process).\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/09%5C/image-43.png%5C%22 "\\"\\"")
\n\n\n\nClean your sink\n\n\n\n
Disinfect the sides and bottom once or twice a week\u2014after kitchen sponges, the sink is the next germiest thing in the house.\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/08%5C/clean_kitchen_sink.jpg%5C%22 "\\"\\"")
\n\n\n\nKnow your plastics\n\n\n\n
Use glass containers instead of plastics with number 3, 6 or 7 on the bottom. No. 3s, a.k.a. PVCs, release phthalates into food and drinks; No. 6s, a.k.a. polystyrene or Styrofoam, are difficult to recycle; and\u00a0No.7s\u00a0contain the baddy endocrine disruptor bisphenol A (BPA), which can have developmental, reproductive and neurological repercussions, especially in kids.\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/09%5C/image-44.png%5C%22 "\\"\\"")
\n\n\n\nCrank your exhaust fan\n\n\n\n
Firing up the stove or oven with no ventilation is like taking in lungfuls of Beijing rush hour air. \u201cWe tend to only throw on the fan when we burn something, but any kind of heat sends particles into the air,\u201d says U of T\u2019s Brook. \u201cWe like to buy sleek appliances and countertops, but for a healthy home, the best thing to spend money on is a quality vent over the cooktop, one that runs quietly and effectively.\u201d\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/09%5C/image-45.png%5C%22 "\\"\\"")
\n\n\n\nUse HEPA filters\n\n\n\n
Vacuums, air purifiers and heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems should all use High Efficiency Particle Air (HEPA) filters, otherwise they simply recirculate many small particles back into the air of your home. HEPA filters trap air contaminants in a complex web of fibres, so contaminants are removed on a microscopic level. This is important for cleaning, but even more crucial for asthma and allergy sufferers.\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/09%5C/image-46.png%5C%22 "\\"\\"")
\n\n\n\nIn the Living Room: Bust dust\n\n\n\n
Swap out your soft fabrics (curtains, cushion covers, throws) for machine-washable options to help keep dust and allergens under control.\u00a0\n\n\n\n
Clean your carpets\n\n\n\n
Spring is the time to do a serious \u201csoft surface\u201d clean, says YouTube star and Canadian \u201ccleanfluencer\u201d Melissa Maker. She\u2019s right: stale indoor air and heating systems increase the amount of allergy-inducing dust mites, pet dander and mould spores circulating through your house. \n\n\n\n
![\"\"](%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/08%5C/vacuum_under_furniture.jpg%5C%22 "\\"\\"")
\n\n\n\nAdd a few house plants\n\n\n\n
Interaction with indoor plants can reduce physiological and psychological stress\u2014studies show that transplanting, watering and digging in the dirt lowers blood pressure and suppresses sympathetic nervous system activity (our fight-or-flight response). Unfortunately, the theory that they\u2019ll improve the air quality in your home is bunk. You\u2019d need a jungle\u2019s worth of plants to do that\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/06%5C/lucky-indoor-plants-18.jpg%5C%22 "\\"\\"")
\n\n\n\nMake your own cleaners\n\n\n\n
Clean your hardwood floors with vinegar and water or lemon oil and water. Chemical-based cleaners are high in VOCs, which are lung irritants. And most \u201cgreen\u201d cleaners aren\u2019t much better, because claims like \u201cnatural\u201d aren\u2019t regulated. Check the Environmental Working Group\u2019s guide to cleaners to see how brands rate.\n\n\n\n
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By Rebecca Philps, Reader’s Digest Canada Science-backed strategies that help eliminate potential health hazards and improve your well-being, room by room. In the Bedroom: Invest in a decent mattress Assuming you\u2019re sleeping the recommended hours per night (that\u2019s seven to nine for adults), you\u2019re spending one-third of your life in your bedroom. And insufficient sleep\u2014either …\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16668,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16652","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tie-life-style"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16652","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16652"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16652\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16668"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16652"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16652"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16652"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}