Natural and Sustainable

1. Air fresheners are another common indoor source for VOCs. Skip the artificial versions and make your own: Add several drops of essential oil to a spray bottle of water and spritz. This method helps reduce your exposure to VOCs and will cut your risk of asthma and headaches, some studies show.

2. Surge protectors lower your chances of overloading a circuit, which reduces your risk of house fires, so be sure and help out in more way then one. By using power surge protectors you also save on your electric bill as well as wasted electricity that is just being used without reason.

3. If your fridge keeps food at 40°F or below, you’re less likely to be among the 3 to 4 million people each year who get food poisoning. But for added benefit as well, keep your fridge stocked full so that it takes less power to cool your food inside. But, don’t pack it too tight, be sure air can flow through the food.

4. You will cut down on noise pollution by using a push-operated model of power equipment, such as a lawn mower. Snow blowers produce about 105 decibels of eardrum-rattling sound, and lawn mowers about 90. Prolonged exposure to noise about 85 decibels damages the hair cells in the inner ear; chronic exposure is linked to increased anxiety levels, elevated blood pressure and disrupted sleep.

5. Hemp shower curtains (roughly about $84) are resistant to bacteria and allergy-aggravating mold. With vinyl brands, sold almost everywhere, you get more than you bargain for. For high levels of VOCs, even after a month of use they are still letting out harmful chemicals with every daily, nightly or even afternoon shower time. Opt for environmentally-friendly models.

6. If everyone in the United States switched to cold water for most laundry loads, it would mean a savings of 47 million tons of CO2 emissions a year-which could help reduce global warming and its health effects, such as increased rates of asthma, heatstroke, and West Nile virus infections. But, always wash your bedding in hot water to kill bacteria and dust mites, etc.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Try to shop at farmers’ market and clean with water, vinegar and baking soda. Dust with old t-shirts, and socks. Use a push mower and make your own compost. These practices are great for the environment also fantastic for your health.