Here’s to your health!  When I first heard that our indoor spaces were more polluted than outside, I didn’t believe it.  Not in my house – I’m a neat freak!  But everything from furniture to plastics to electronics is constantly off-gassing, polluting our safe haven.  These toxins cause headaches, nausea, sore throat, dry skin, itchy eyes, and even loss of concentration.  Outdoor air quality is not only better for you, but Vitamin D production from sun exposure can actually help ward off sickness.  Here are a few ways to make sure you are enhancing your spaces to keep you, your family and friends healthy and happy.

1.      WINDOWS – Open the windows and let the sunshine in!  Sunlight is a natural disinfectant.  Even if you live in an apartment, you can place pillows, blankets and mattresses in front of an open window to allow solar rays and fresh air to help sanitize them.  It’s a lot easier than steam cleaning them, too!

2.      PLANTS – Rooms with plants have been shown to have 60% less airborne molds and bacteria than rooms with no plants.  They soak up all the toxins your home is emitting and act as purifying organs.  Plants can also improve our mood by increasing positive feeling, improving creativity and reducing stress by producing higher dopamine levels.  They can even produce a healthy drop in heart rate.  As an added bonus – plants can make a room seem more expensive, making it look good and you feel
good.

3.      PAINT – Paint is one of the biggest culprits of poor indoor air quality.  By not purchasing eco-friendly paint, you’re opening yourself up to a host of VOC’s, or what some lovingly refer to as “New Paint Smell.”  These carcinogens can cause kidney damage, headaches, loss of muscle control, dizziness and irregular heartbeats.  No thanks.  Instead look for Zero VOC paint that is water based, or natural paints made from plant oils and minerals.  It’s one of the least expensive ways to upgrade your home and stay healthy at the same time.

4.      VACUUM – Vacuuming once daily is one of the most effective and easy ways to improve indoor air quality and prevent allergies.  You would be amazed at the amount of dust that accumulates on a floor in a 24-hour period.  In addition to human and pet skin and hair, fine particles from furniture, fabrics and other surfaces end up in the air and eventually on the floors as the items break down over time.  If you simply don’t have the time or money for a full-time cleaning crew, I highly recommend the Roomba vacuum robot – it has changed my life!  Seeming too good to be true, the Roomba travels around the entire house or office all day long if you’d like, picking up anything that isn’t nailed down.  It’s powerful and goes effortlessly from hard surfaces to plush carpet.  Now you can sit back and let something else do the work for you.

5.      CANDLES – When we think of candles, we think of setting the perfect mood for relaxing and creating a spa-like environment.  But did you know that most candles are toxic when they’re burned, releasing harmful chemicals and soot into the air, damaging walls, furniture and your health?  Gross.  A healthier option would be Soy or Beeswax candles* that burn 3x longer and much, much cleaner.  In fact, they actually diffuse the air when burning and when unlit.  Aaaaaaaah, now you can relax!

Thanks, Lori! And note to readers: you can purchase many of these products directly from Lori at  www.loridennis.com.

The post What About the INSIDE Air You Breathe? 5 Steps to Keeping it Clean. appeared first on Big Green Purse.

Conventional paint contains toxic chemicals called volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, that go airborne as soon as you open the can and start rolling the walls. VOCs contribute to smog when they hit the outside air. Indoors, VOCs in conventional paint have been linked to respiratory and nervous-system disorders, and contribute to the fact that indoor air can be ten times more polluted than it is outside. You know that headachey, cranky feeling you get when a room is being painted? It’s usually due to the VOCs.

Fortunately, virtually every paint company in business has now developed a no-VOC, environmentally friendly paint. Most of these work like a charm. They roll on smoothly without polluting the air, and because they’re water-based, they clean up easily with soap and water. I recently re-painted my entire home indoors and out with no-VOC paints, and I couldn’t have been happier with the finished colors or the fact that I could work and sleep in my home while it was being painted with no ill effects.

Note that no-VOC paints can be somewhat more expensive than the conventional options. I justified the added cost with the peace-of-mind I had knowing my family wasn’t getting sick breathing polluted air.

Some brands you should be able to find easily online or in your community include:

Water-Based Paints

Sherwin-Williams carries a Harmony Interior Latex paint that contains zero-VOCs and is practically odorless. Its water-based, anti-microbial formula gives a durable finish that is washable and prevents mildew growth. The paint is available as both a primer and topcoat in eggshell, flat and semi-gloss finishes.

Benjamin Moore’s Natura line is another no-VOC, low-odor option that can be tinted to match any color. Water-based, fade-resistant, and washable this “green” paint dries in 30 minutes and can be recoated after only one hour.

American Pride Paint contains zero-VOCs and is practically odorless. Its interior latex and acrylic enamel paints come in over 1,200 colors that are spatter resistant with a washable finish.

Natural Paints

BioShield Clay Paints are made from naturally occurring earth borne clays, these paints are available in a range of down-to-earth tones and textures.

Green Planet Paints are made from plant resins and mineral pigments, containing zero-VOCs and are easy to apply. These natural paints come in a palette of 48 mineral and clay based colors that are extremely durable.

The Real Milk Paint Company produces paint made with milk protein, lime, clay and earth pigments. This paint not only consists of 100% organic material but also consists of zero-VOCs. It can be mixed with pigment powders to create virtually any color you desire.

If you feel you must choose a paint that contains VOCs, make sure you read the label. VOC content, which is usually listed in grams per liter, can range from 5 to 200. Choose the product containing the least amount of VOCs. Ask the retailer for guidance if you’re not clear on your options.

Want to know exactly what you should be looking for when you shop? Check the products that meet the independent standards for health and safety set by Green Seal, a non-profit research institute.

By the way, painting with no-VOC paint is just the first step. To get the most out of every gallon of paint you buy, follow these Paint How-To tips.

And if you’re inspired to green up other parts of your home, check out these eco-friendly home renovation resources.

The post Paint Your Home “Green” To Stay Healthy and Protect the Environment appeared first on Big Green Purse.