* Your home and your clothes may have a “clean smell” like lemons or pine.
* These synthetic fragrances found in laundry and cleaning products including laundry detergents, fabric softeners, dryer sheets as well as in “air fresheners” emit dozens of different chemicals.
* A recent study found that a plug-in air freshener emitted 20 different volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which included seven compounds regulated as toxic or hazardous under U.S. federal laws yet the label simply lists “fragrance”.
* Beware of products that list “fragrance” on the label as many terrible chemicals come under this “catch all” word.
* Most “fragrances” are manufactured from oil and their health effects on humans when inhaled have often never been studied.
* One example is phthalates which are often used in fragrances and have been shown to disrupt hormones in animals.
* You should look for fragrance-free or naturally-scented laundry products.
* You should use baking soda, borax and vinegar as cleaners where possible and avoid cleaners with artificial fragrances.
* Do not use aerosol sprays such as deodorants, hair sprays, carpet cleaners, furniture polish, and air fresheners.
* Open windows when possible so toxins will not build up in your home or install a heat recovery ventilator to your furnace which reduces energy losses but keeps fresh air circulating into your home constantly.
* Use sliced lemons and baking soda for a clean scent in your kitchen.
* Houseplants which are not poisonous to children or pets are a great way to naturally purify the air indoors.
