The toxic-free living room

Open a window
Those commercial air fresheners are delivering more than the fresh scent of flowers. Artificial air fragrances, (even those labelled “all-natural or “unscented”) contain phthalates, a chemical linked to asthma. Freshen your air naturally by adding a few drops of essential oil to a mister bottle filled with water or alcohol. It won’t be adding toxins to the air when you spritz. You can also just open a window and let the fresh air inside.

Spread some light
The same holds true for scented-candles made from paraffin wax, a petroleum by-product. When you burn these candles you release benzene and toluene into the air along with petrol-carbon soot that contribute to indoor pollution and cause breathing problems. If you like to use scented candles, opt for beeswax or soy candles.

Lighten up
A quick and easy way to save some money is by switching to energy-efficient compact-fluorescent lamps (CFLs). There are plenty of choices, just be sure to check that your current lamp will accept the new bulbs.

Toxins from one end to the other
Wall-to-wall carpeting can be a source of mould, dust mites and other allergens. The plastic backing also off-gases VOCs (volatile organic compounds) for the entire life of the carpet. Natural hardwood floors, particularly those made from bamboo or cork, will make your living room more enviro-friendly Easy to clean area rugs made from wool, cotton or hemp will add some warmth.

High-priced stain removal
Those commercial carpet shampoos containing flammable ingredients and stain removers use perchlorethylene, the dry-cleaning chemical linked to liver and kidney cancer. The residue can linger for months after cleaning. Try using a steam cleaner and soap made from natural ingredients. Carpet deodorizers have the same irritating chemicals so try using baking soda or cornstarch instead.

Add some plants
Get some help from Mother Nature by bringing home some toxin-absorbing plants like Boston Ferns, Areca Palms, Spider Plants and English Ivy. These plants can help improve the indoor air quality as long as you have two plants per 100 square feet of floor space.

Ditch the disposables
The Swifter may be amazing at picking up dust but it also generates a lot of waste to our ever-growing landfills. An old-fashioned feather duster or damp re-usable rag works just as well. You can also reduce the dust by vacuuming twice a week with a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner that removes 99.97% of all airborne particles.

Vampire power
Your stereo and television use standby power to keep their clocks and remote controls working. This means they keep drawing electricity even when turned off and that translates into a higher electricity bill. Plug your living room electronics into a power strip with an off switch that turns off standby power. If you replace all those disposable batteries in your remote controls with rechargeable batteries you can save up to $75 per year.

Get the lead out
If your home was built before 1980, you should get it tested for lead paint. Lead is a dangerous neurotoxin that damages the immune systems. As paint chips from walls and windowsills, it releases the lead, which lands into dust and on furniture where it can be absorbed into our blood. Choose a low-VOC paint that won’t add more toxins to the air. There are plenty of green, clean brands to choose from.

Greener couches
Most living room furniture is made from particleboard, foam and wood held together with a formaldehyde-based glue. This chemical, classified as a carcinogen, off-gases into our air, triggering a variety of health problems. Repairing or recovering your couch is a greener alternative. High-quality second-hand furniture can also be a good choice. Any piece of furniture with that “new” smell should be avoided since it’s off-gassing formaldehyde.