According to the experts, pollution can be just as bad indoors as it is outdoors but you can do something about it.
Toxins, mould, bacteria and unhealthy gases can soon build up inside your home without you realising. What’s more, a host of toxic chemicals in soft furnishings, carpets, paints and cleaning products can all have a detrimental effect on your wellbeing.
Chemicals can set off allergies and the cumulative effect of inhaling them can be huge. But although you can’t always see the allergens and pollutants in your home that can trigger health problems, you can blitz them. Here’s how to give your home a quick detox.
Exclude pollutants
A cocktail of toxic chemicals can soon find its way though doors and windows, especially if you live near a busy road or in a built-up area. We inhale most toxins while asleep so, if you have a choice, opt for a bedroom at the back of the house and keep windows closed as much as possible. Alternatively, invest in an air purifier to help remove carbon monoxide and ozone.
Go for pot plants
Plants are the oldest, most natural air filters on the planet. Trials carried out by NASA scientists researching air quality improvements for astronauts show that various common houseplants can effectively detox households by absorbing poisonous vapours and releasing oxygen back into the air, which enhances air quality. Species to look out for include Mexican cacti, spider plants, ivy, rubber plants and gerbera daisies, which are all said to help humidify and freshen up stuffy environments.
Pet watch
Cats and dogs can trigger allergies in susceptible people and can also make existing conditions such as asthma or hay fever worse. To keep pet allergens at a minimum make certain rooms such as the bedroom a pet-free zone and remember to wash and groom pets regularly. The Cat Protection League has the following tips to make life easier for anyone with allergies or asthma:
- Make sure your cat is free from fleas.
- Groom puss outside to reduce the spread of allergens
- Wiping your cat down with a damp cloth can also help reduce allergens
- Using a vacuum with a special ‘hepa’ filter can help prevent allergic reactions, as can running a damp cloth over carpets after vacuuming.
Go natural
Choose natural cleaning products such as eco-friendly washing powder and biodegradable washing-up liquids that are tough on dirt but gentle on the environment. Instead of your usual air fresheners go for chemical-free products made with essential oils. And for a purer environment why not invest in an ioniser? It will purify the air by replacing positive ions, which can trigger fatigue, depression and breathing difficulties with negative ions which freshen up the atmosphere.
Vacuum once or twice a week
Use a cleaner that has a high efficiency filter if possible. The British Allergy Foundation recommends the medical S class filter. If you have allergies wear a dust mask while doing the housework and leave the house for a couple of hours after cleaning it. Dusting with a damp cloth will reduce air-borne particles and if you need to polish, use a natural beeswax type and avoid aerosol sprays.
Reduce the chemical load
MDF, veneered chipboard or plywood furniture emits toxic chemicals which are usually not present in solid wood furniture. Carpets and soft furnishings are also responsible for giving off chemicals such as formaldehyde as well as being a haven for house dust mites. When choosing flooring go for wooden boards and more natural alternatives such as jute and hessian where possible.
Check your boiler
Carbon monoxide poisoning from faulty boilers and gas fires affects hundreds of people each year and can be fatal. Common symptoms include headaches, tiredness, vomiting, loss of balance and a rapid heart beat. Sooty marks on the wall and yellow flames instead of the usual blue ones are all signs that your appliances could be at fault. If this sounds familiar you should have your heating checked out by a CORGI-recognised engineer as soon as possible and ask your doctor for a diagnostic blood test.
Purify your water
Pure water contains no toxins but over the past 50 years our drinking water has had more and more additives incorporated into the mains supply which may spoil the taste even though they rarely cause anything more than minor health problems. If you are concerned, there are things you can do to improve the situation.
- Find out exactly what is in your water from your water supplier (listed under water in Yellow Pages).
- Always run tap water for a couple of minutes to make sure it is as fresh as can be. Avoid drinking from the hot tap. Hot water is usually stored in a plastic or metal tank, and as water is a natural corrosive the surrounding material may well have seeped into it.
- If you don’t like tap water use bottled varieties for drinking.
- A less expensive option is to filter water. Special active carbon filters, which work by removing chemicals as they pass through them, can be plumbed in under the kitchen sink or attached to the end of a kitchen tap. Alternatively, use a jug filter – a plastic lid containing an active carbon filter fits on top of the jug and filters the water as it is poured through.
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