Here’s an exciting and practical guide for improving indoor air quality, based on the tips and tricks shared by top professionals in the Building Biology Healthy Home Community. This list combines unique strategies, unconventional approaches, and tried-and-true methods to make your indoor space healthier and more comfortable.
- Try a Foot Wash and Dry Station
Deanne Hislop of Building Biology WA suggests keeping a bowl and towel by the backdoor for washing bare feet, which helps maintain cleaner floors. A simple trick with big benefits—just toss the towel in the wash every few days. - Goats Milk Soap for Self-Cleaning Showers
Carol Parr from Mitey Fresh Australia has been using natural goat’s milk soap for over 30 years. It prevents scum and mould buildup in the shower recess, reducing the need for constant cleaning. - Low-EMF Vehicle Choices
Cheryl Mead from Wicked Homes, who is sensitive to electromagnetic fields (EMFs), discovered that some cars emit less EMF than others. Lexus Hybrid models had relatively low EMF readings, while Mercedes and BMW wagons were the highest. If you experience fatigue or headaches while driving, check the EMF levels in your vehicle. - Green Your Office with Indoor Plants
Adding indoor plants can significantly improve air quality and reduce stress levels, as found by the University of Technology Sydney. Carol Parr recommends incorporating greenery into your home and office for better breathing and a healthier mindset. - Don’t Make the Bed – Let it Breathe
One of Carol Parr’s favorite tips is to leave your bed unmade. This prevents the trapping of moisture and warmth, making your bedding less hospitable to dust mites. A simple “tidy-up” at the foot of the bed is all you need. - Boost Airflow Without Gadgets
Bronwyn Bennett from Creating Healthy Spaces awakens us to ventilate rooms by opening windows opposite each other for cross-ventilation. It’s an old-fashioned trick Bron says, but it works wonders to circulate fresh air and lower indoor contaminants. - Use a Humidity Meter
Monitor the humidity levels in your home Rick Hopton form South Australia writes. Keeping it between 40-60% helps prevent the growth of mould and dust mites, improving indoor air quality. - Natural Air Fresheners
Skip synthetic air fresheners and opt for natural alternatives like essential oil diffusers or simmering citrus peels and herbs on the stove. These methods not only smell great but are free from harmful VOCs writes Mitey Fresh. - Ditch Synthetic Candles
Replace paraffin wax candles and soaps with those made from beeswax or soy. They burn cleaner, without releasing toxic chemicals into the air, and can actually help clean the air by reducing airborne particles mentions Shells Han. - Detox Your Vacuuming Routine
Carol Parr advises using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter to remove fine dust and allergens from your home, especially if you suffer from allergies or asthma. Also, regularly replace filters to maintain their efficiency mentions Tony who co founded Mitey Fresh back in 1996. - Sleep Sanctuary: No Electronics in Bedrooms
Minimising exposure to EMFs in the bedroom can help improve sleep quality. Go to guy Senri Oiso from Balanced BB highlights to keep phones, laptops, and other electronics out of the room, or at least in airplane mode, while you sleep. - Clean Air Starts in the Kitchen
Be mindful of how cooking affects indoor air quality. Use an exhaust fan or open windows when cooking to vent out fumes, and avoid non-stick cookware, which can release harmful chemicals when overheated writes Carol Parr when designing a new home. - Reduce VOCs with Natural Cleaning Products
Switch to natural cleaning products free from volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These can be just as effective as chemical cleaners but without the harmful fumes. - Check Your Home’s Ventilation System
Ensure your home’s ventilation system is clean and functioning properly. This helps in removing indoor air pollutants and controlling moisture, contributing to better air quality. - Dust Control Strategy
Use a damp cloth for dusting rather than a dry one, which can stir up dust particles into the air. Microfiber cloths work best to trap and remove dust from surfaces. - No Shoes Indoors
Adopt a no-shoes policy inside your home. This prevents dirt, dust, and outdoor pollutants from being tracked inside, keeping your indoor environment cleaner. - Shower Ventilation Hack
Keep your bathroom window open or install an exhaust fan to reduce moisture build-up after a shower. This helps prevent mould growth, especially in poorly ventilated spaces. - Breathe Easy with Beeswax Wraps
Replace plastic wraps with beeswax wraps to reduce your exposure to plastic chemicals. Beeswax wraps are natural, reusable, and eco-friendly, contributing to a healthier home environment. - Natural Pest Control
Essential oils like lavender, tea tree, and eucalyptus can help keep pests like moths and spiders at bay without introducing harmful chemicals into your home writes Carol Parr when the team were into aromatherapy back in 1997. - Houseplants That Clean the Air
NASA research shows that certain plants, like spider plants, peace lilies, and snake plants, effectively remove toxins from the air. Introduce these plants to naturally purify your indoor air. - Mould Prevention with Vinegar
Vinegar is a natural disinfectant and anti-microbial agent. Use it to clean mould-prone areas like shower tiles and bathroom grout to prevent mould buildup. - Opt for Hardwood Over Carpets
Hardwood floors are easier to clean and don’t trap dust, allergens, and pollutants like carpets do. If you prefer carpet, go for natural fibers like wool, and vacuum regularly with a HEPA filter. Carol looooves real materials. - EMF Shielding for Devices
Use shielding materials for devices like laptops and routers to reduce EMF exposure in your home. Products such as grounding mats or EMF-blocking cases can assist to reduce exposure and do further due diligence to improve the environment around where you are using the devices. - DIY Natural Air Purifiers
Simmering a pot of water with lemon slices, cinnamon sticks, and cloves can naturally freshen the air in your home, replacing the need for artificial air fresheners. Yep, Carol and Tony have implemented this back in 1997. - Avoid Pressed Wood Products
Furniture made from pressed wood often contains formaldehyde, which can off-gas over time. Opt for solid wood or untreated options to avoid exposure to harmful chemicals. Did we mention, :carol: loves natural materials. - Improve Mood with a Salt Lamp
Himalayan salt lamps are believed to release negative ions that can help improve air quality and boost your mood. They also provide a soft, calming glow that’s perfect for any room. - Air Out New Purchases
New furniture, mattresses, and carpets often release VOCs. Air them out in a well-ventilated area for several days before bringing them into your living spaces.
Meet Carol Parr
-Empowering you to shake and stir change.
“My Passion comes from pure necessity that we can all live natural and healthy lives; we can all contribute to human wellbeing and preservation, and determine the future health of our children and their environment tomorrow.”
Seeker. Teacher. True.
Your Indoor Air Never Had It So Good
By integrating these tips into your routine, you’ll notice a significant difference in your indoor air quality. Staying proactive with small, intentional changes ensures your home is always ready for relaxation and enjoyment. Plus, you’ll save time and effort while creating a healthier living environment for yourself and your loved ones!
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Deanne Hislop from Building Biology WA http://www.buildingbiologywa.com.au/
Cheryl Mead from Wicked Homes https://www.wickedhomes.com.au/
Carol Parr from Mitey Fresh Australia www.miteyfresh.com.au
Author
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We’re glad you’re here. We’re Carol and Tony, founders of one of the longest running Healthy Home Blogs in the world, Mitey Fresh Australia. We’ve been on this journey for the last 25 years and are passionate about helping families sift through health hazards and triggers like allergens, mould, water damage, chemicals and EMFs, to get clarity about what’s toxic and what’s not so they can create a healthy and happy home for their family they love. Each month, people visit this blog seeking focus on the health and wellbeing of their loved ones, sustainable and effective practice tips and guides, to help create and manage healthier indoor spaces, improve the built environment that is pleasing to the senses and support healthy living and nature, every day. Starting this blog was to help change people’s lives, one family at a time, and we can’t wait to share how its allowed us to stand next to you and show you how interpreting these synergies between buildings and the environment they are built in will impact upon the health and well-being of those who occupy them. Find out more about Healthy Homes and what this blog can do for you!
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