Clean Air

Melissa Cooper Vachon

The best source of clean air for our homes is outside air.  But, as the temperatures drop, we, of course, seal the brisk winter breezes out - and seal ourselves in.  So we must now find creative ways to keep our homes smelling good and fresh.

Numerous products line store shelves claiming to make our air, clothes, and furniture smell like an ocean breeze, a wooded forest, or a spring meadow.  These products, however, contain synthetic versions of natural scents and do not have the same therapeutic effects as pure plant extracts.  In fact, synthetic perfume can pollute your home with chemicals.  The ingredients in scented candles, aerosol or plug-in air fresheners, and other perfume-based products can have both short term and long-term health effects, from aggravated allergies and irritated air passageways to cancer and nerve damage.  For those with asthma, the American Lung Association advises, “Perfume, room deodorizers, cleaning chemicals…are examples of triggers that must be avoided or kept to very low levels.”

Instead of masking a smell, try absorbing any offensive odors.  It’s less expensive and more effective.  Vinegar, baking soda, and zeolite (a volcanic mineral) all deodorize (de-odor-ize).  You can set out bowls of vinegar in troublesome areas (in the refrigerator, near the cat box).  Sprinkle baking soda in trash cans and litter boxes and even on carpet and furniture before vacuuming.  Store zeolite pebbles or granules in closets, drawers, and smelly sneakers.  Zeolite is also reusable after recharging in the sun.

Extend your savings by using vinegar and baking soda for cleaning as well.  Straight white vinegar (or diluted 50% with water) in a spray bottle is a handy disinfecting spray for counters, sinks, and more.  Baking soda mixed with a little liquid soap and water turns into a gentle, yet effective soft scrub paste.  Scrubbing the tub with a strong-smelling product could be a chilly task if you need to bring in fresh air from the outside.  Using baking soda, vinegar, and other natural ingredients or products will minimize the amount of potentially hazardous cleaners dispersed into your home and allow you to keep your windows shut tightly while cleaning.

To bring in fresh air without opening a window, simply add houseplants. We all know that plants “breathe” in carbon dioxide and release oxygen.  But, did you know they also remove common pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene, styrene, toluene, ammonia, and more?  Plants can even moderate humidity levels.

Electronic air filters are another option to clean indoor air.  Machines with a HEPA filter remove particles 0.3 microns or larger.  An activated carbon filter removes gaseous chemicals.  You may also look for the AHAM (Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers) Certification Seal, which indicates the claims made by the air filter manufacturer have been independently verified.

Create truly clean air in your home with the above simple suggestions.  If you would like to add comforting smells to your home, try boiling cinnamon sticks on the stove or misting floral water or a pure essential oil spray.  And when you need to breathe in the scent of a wooded forest, go ahead and bundle up and enjoy the real thing.

Melissa C. Vachon, B.S. offers environmental consultations for greener, healthier homes and offices.  She also offers customized plant recommendations or “plant prescriptions” to easily and effectively improve indoor air.  For more information contact The Illumined Heart Light Center, 23337 Woodward in downtown Ferndale at 248-545-4852 or visit  www.illuminedheart.com