A greener and healthier way to do spring cleaning

Spring cleaning does not have to involve
harsh chemicals and cleaning products.

We seem to have survived this winter – soon, windows can be opened longer, snow boots can go back into storage and we’ll have to start worrying about mosquitoes and bugs.

For many people, this time of year means a thorough cleaning of the home is in order to start fresh into the spring and summer season.

But with indoor air pollution a major public health concern and regular cleaning products adding harmful VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and other chemicals to the indoor air, maybe it’s time to change some habits to make spring cleaning a greener and healthier affair.

According to the EPA, indoor air can be 10 times as polluted as outdoor air, and many of those pollutants come from buildings materials, paints, household products such as hairspray, rugs, oven cleaners, scented candles or air fresheners and other products.

Those VOCs and other pollutants can cause health symptoms such as respiratory irritation, nausea, headaches and more, depending on a person’s sensitivity and exposure.

Fortunately, many greener and alternative cleaning agents are available.

Non-toxic cleaning agents from the pantry include:

• Vinegar
• Hot water and soap
• Baking soda
• Lemon juice
• Olive oil

If people do not feel like making their own cleaning products, they can stock up on eco-friendly alternatives from the shelves (but watch out, a recent study showed that even supposedly greener products often contain potentially harmful chemicals that weren’t listed on the ingredients label).

Try to stay away from fragrances and scented products as much as possible – those scents are usually derived from synthetic chemicals and VOCs that add to indoor air pollution.

Source: Medill Reports

Cleaner indoor air with carbon air purifiers

As much as we try to keep our indoor air clean, some sources of exposure are difficult to control or avoid, including building materials, electronic equipment, outdoor air pollution and more.

That is when an air purifier from AllerAir will prove to be an invaluable tool to keep the air cleaner and healthier.

AllerAir air purifiers

AllerAir’s air purifiers feature a proven multistage filtration system with activated carbon and HEPA filters that can remove the widest range of indoor air pollutants.

Not only does AllerAir offer the most powerful general purpose air purifiers, the company also specializes in indoor air concerns such as smoke, mold, allergy and asthma, MCS and more.

For more information, contact AllerAir.