The quality of air you breathe in makes a big impact on your general health condition, causing incidences of lung cancer, asthma, strokes and heart disease to go up. Statistics show that about 3.3 million deaths annually are attributable to pollution-linked diseases. And if that didn’t get your heart thumping, consider this: though many would find it hard to believe, the air indoors is actually 2 to 5 times more polluted and toxic than the air outdoors!

We go for regular check-ups and pop pills, but we never think that the problem could be coming from within our home environment. However, there are simple and inexpensive ways by which you can detoxify your home. Fix leaking taps and pipes as high humidity encourages the growth of mildew, molds and dust mites in our clothes, towels, mattresses, etc, – and worsens asthma, rashes, coughing, irritation in the eyes.

Toxic formaldehyde is found in household goods like insecticides, shampoos, shaving creams, glue, carpets and even cigarette smoke. Other chemicals that contribute to home pollution come from paint, woodwork, cleaning products including detergents, hair and nail products and even electronics. Here are some ways to control air pollution naturally:

Ventilation – Open windows and let the air circulate. Install exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms to prevent accumulation of moisture and other pollutants.

Houseplants – Green indoor plants have the power to purify and filter toxins like ammonia, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and benzene from within your home. They are a cheap and easy way to improve the indoor quality of air.

Beeswax candles – These candles burn very slowly, releasing literally no smoke or scent and remove allergens like dust from the air. Beeswax candles introduce negatively charged ions to bind with the positively charged particles floating in the air, causing them to get heavier and fall to the ground, hence neutralizing toxic compounds and contaminants within the home.

Essential oils – Instead of spraying potentially toxic room fresheners, opt for essential oils including tea tree oil which have anti-bacterial properties and can reduce air-borne bacteria, virus, fungi and dust mites aside from adding a rejuvenating aroma.

Take off your shoes – Your outdoor shoes can bring in lead dust, pollen, industrial toxins, fungal spores, pesticides, cigarette ash, dust mites, germs or even feces – so keep them outside!

Run the AC – An AC works by pulling in air from the room, filtering and cooling it, before pumping it back. You need to service your AC timely to ensure unclogged filters and cleaner rooms.

Groom your pets – Pet fur and dander (skin cells) aggravate asthma and cause irritating cough in others. Bath and brush them regularly to control these irritants. Vacuuming would be even better where there are in-door pets.

Carpets – They act like sponges, attracting all kinds of toxins, germs and pollutants, especially carpets placed near the entry into the house. Clean them often.