However polluted the outside air in your city is, research has found that the air quality inside most homes is far more toxic.
It’s shocking to think that as we keep our windows tight shut against the fumes of city life, we are actually creating a worse cocktail of chemicals for ourselves to breathe. Many of the chemicals in our inside air come from our cleaning products.
The worst offenders of all are air fresheners and other artificially scented products. VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which are found in many artificial scents, cause problems with the nervous system, as well as headaches and other side effects.
One of the best things you can do to keep the air in your home safe is to banish all artificial air freshening and scented products – that also includes fabric conditioners.
So what can you do instead to keep your house smelling nice? Here are a few natural suggestions that will keep the air fresh without polluting it.
Natural scented candles – if you need a quick burst of fragrance to get rid of bathroom smells, burn a natural scented candle for a few minutes. It will give off a nice fragrance and purify the air as it burns. Make sure it is a natural candle of either soy, hemp or beeswax with natural oils. Artificial scented candles only add to the chemical overload.
Baking soda – bowls of baking soda placed around the home safely absorb odors. Use baking soda for cleaning too to get rid of pet smells.
Open windows – often just ventilating a room is enough to keep things smelling fresh. Open bathroom windows after use to stop them getting damp and musty.
Flowers – a bowl of hyacinths gives rich bursts of floral scents in the middle of winter. This might not be the best answer is you have a hayfever sufferer in the family or someone with allergies to flowers, but will satisfy a longer for spring and rich scents for the rest of us.
Spices – simmer a pot of water on the stove with some cinnamon or cloves in it. The whole house will be infused with a gently spicy aroma.
Green tea – Use green tea leaves to deodorize carpets, pet beds, fridges and so on.
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