first “photo remodeling” idea
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Use Green (or Fragrance-Free) Cleaners
Notes:
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In-Home Pollutants:
Ridding your home of mold, mildew, dust, allergens, and chemicals requires some extra work. Pollen clings to your jeans during picnics. Fido drags in dust and dander. A cracked window allows the neighbor’s tobacco smoke to sneak in.
- A streak-free, dustless, and otherwise pristine home requires just three things:
- Harsh cleaning products (a la Lysol, Windex, and Clorox)
- Some elbow grease to scrub those stains clean
- A daily (or weekly) cleaning routine
- But did you know that those fresh-smelling, “magical” sprays are just a jumble of toxic chemicals that can damage your lungs when inhaled? That’s right! On your quest for a clean home, these culprits may be holding you back. Causing you to spritz breathing-disrupters like ammonia and ozone (smog) into your home’s airflow. (Yikes!)
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To Clean Or Not to Clean?
The question isn’t, “To clean or not to clean?” It’s “How do I clean my home without putting my family in harm’s way?” The safest alternatives are green, eco-friendly, and non-toxic cleaners that evade these risks.
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These organic recipe brands are just as effective as the Lysol crew:
- Don’t forget to stock up on green cleaners for everything. That means dish soaps, laundry detergents, countertop cleaners, and window sprays. Toss your old supply!
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green cleaning productsgreen cleaning suppliescleaning gloves
second “photo remodeling” idea
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Seal Those Windows (Air Leaks)
Notes:
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Cold Windows:
Have you ever shuffled past your balcony door on a sub-zero afternoon and had a slight, freezing cold breeze send shivers down your spine? Congratulations! Even if you can’t see the gaps with your naked eye, you’ve discovered a leaky window that’s giving pollutants unlimited access to your home!
- That microscopic crack is now an entryway to everything:
- Smoke (especially for apartment dwellers with inconsiderate neighbors)
- Pollen and other allergens
- Dust and dirt
- Wildfire smoke or fumes
- Smog or other city air pollutants
- Some elbow grease to scrub those stains clean
- That explains the lingering cigarette or smoky stench, even when you clamp down windows and doors.
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How to Plug the Leak:
The good news is that the solution costs less than $13/bottle or $11/roll. Gently rattle the exterior windows and doors in your apartment.
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If they shake:
- Apply a fresh layer of caulk between your windows and their frames (it’s not a full-afternoon project; all you need is a tube of caulk and a caulk gun).
- Stick custom-cut, self-adhesive foam weatherstripping to plug the gap.
- Both techniques can stop air leakage directly in their tracks. But the sealed-up leaky windows boast an additional benefit that homeowners applaud: Slashing your monthly energy bill (heating and cooling) by as much as 20%.
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Supporting Resources (opens new win) | |
ABOUT: where’s the leak | |
INFO: winter energy saving tips | |
YOUTUBE: weatherizing doors and windows |
May We Suggest Other Photo Remodeling Ideas About
“Eco Friendly Homes”
third “photo remodeling” idea
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Use HEPA Filters Everywhere
Notes:
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Filtering Pollutants:
The first solution that comes to mind is often the simplest. In this case, that’d be filtering out the air pollutants before they begin terrorizing your air vents and fans.
- Enter the high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, your partner in fresh air. HEPA filters are fine mesh that remove up to 99.97% of invisible airborne particles and purify air by as much as 55%.
- That includes:
- Floating pet dander
- Dust mites
- Outdoor pollen (particularly during spring)
- Mold and bacteria
- Billowing smoke
- Nearly every item with a filter usually has a pricier, HEPA alternative. We’re talking about standalone A/C units, portable air purifiers, and indoor vacuums.
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How Do HEPA Filters Work?
All HEPA filters follow the same general pattern:
- Sucking up the air
- Trapping pesky pollutants deep within its zig-zagging fibers
- Releasing the purified air back into the room
- Keep in mind that HEPA filters do have a projected 6-12 month lifespan. Regular replacements can keep that indoor air crisp and allergens at a distance.
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Supporting Resources (opens new win) | |
WHAT IS: HEPA filters and how works | |
INFO: HEPA filters for allergies | |
YOUTUBE: HEPA air cleaner explained |
fourth “photo remodeling” idea
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Swap Out Candles & Air Fresheners
Notes:
- Burnt meatloaf, a litter box mishap, and under-sink leakage will overwhelm a home with flat-out grotesque aromas. When your nose revolts, what do you do? Light that evergreen candle or do a room-to-room Febreze sweep.
- But as pleasing and cozy as those aromas seem, research shows that many release harmful soot and lung irritants like benzene into the air.
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If you’re asthmatic (or health-conscious), there are safer alternatives for detoxifying your home and ridding the stink:
- Essential oil diffusers
- Vinegar and baking soda to absorb set-in stenches
- Beeswax candles
- Non-toxic, green air fresheners
- If you can’t imagine your unit without a three-wick candle from Bath & Body Works, limit those lightings to once or twice a week.
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non toxic air freshenersbeeswax candlesessential oil diffuser
Supporting Resources (opens new win) | |
ABOUT: hazards in air fresheners | |
IMAGES: shed landscaping ideas | |
YOUTUBE: air freshener dangers |
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fourth “photo remodeling” idea
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Control Humidity
Notes:
- When summer closes in, and those outdoor temperatures soar, rising humidity levels can put a damper on air quality — both inside and out! You know the sensation well. The thick air feels trapped in your lungs, and the excess moisture is a hotbed for that revolting summer mildew and mold growth.
- Get the humidity under control. Invest in a dehumidifier that can pull those water particles from the air. Keep your humidity below 50%, and don’t forget to dump the water bin every two days.
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References (opens new win except noted) | |
SERVICES: interior decorators (see below) | |
WHAT IS: humidity and why it matters | |
INFO: ideal indoor humidity levels | |
PLANNING: green energy home (same win) |
Find Home Cleaning Services Home Cleaning Carpet-Drapes Property Clean-Up Windows top-rated, pre-screened local contractors FREE: download contractor selection enter zip code – powered by HomeAdvisor ™
Quick Contractor Guides selecting negotiating working with inspecting
sixth “photo remodeling” idea
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Add Plants
Notes:
- A potted Cyprus in the living room or cut daisies in the kitchen won’t magically revive ultra-purified air. But these species might cherry-pick some pollutants:
- Some ideas to consider:
- Many air-purifying plant species can undercut the formaldehyde or carbon dioxide invading your home. Even if they don’t … at least you’ve spruced up the joint!
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house plants for air purifyingplant indoor lightplant water meter
Supporting Resources (opens new win) | |
ABOUT: air-purifying plants | |
INFO: ultimate guide indoor plants | |
YOUTUBE: houseplant 101 |
seventh and last “photo remodeling” idea
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Focus On Ventilation
Notes:
- Ventilation can either be your best pal or fiercest enemy on your air quality voyage. Leaving your windows wide-open might expose you to car exhaust or smoky hazes.
- The trick is proper ventilation in moderation, such as:
- After cooking on the stove (carbon monoxide, formaldehyde)
- Post-DIY project (paints, primers, and thinners)
- On low-humidity days (when outdoor allergens are low)
- Crack open all exterior windows and doors from time to time to “unstuff” your air and allow the toxic fumes an escape route.
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CONCLUSION
There’s no way to seal off your home from that muggy air pollution completely. Remnants will always seep in through your A/C system, window cracks, and open doors. But you can filter it out before it triggers an allergic attack or moldy grime.
- The answer lies in a cutting-edge home air quality monitor. These tabletop sensors will detect the culprits depriving you of fresh indoor air, including nitrogen dioxide, wheeze-inducing humidity, and carbon monoxide.
- Never again question, “Is my air clean?” Discover the answer and reverse course!
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- What comments can you share about
improving the air quality in your home
Supporting Resources (opens new win) | |
WAYS TO: ventilate your home | |
INFO: home ventilation guide | |
YOUTUBE: ventilation basics series |
Cover image credit: improve home air quality by 123rf.com
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