How green is your rug? Natural products such as jute or wool are the most desirable.

Your bedroom furniture may be oozing toxic gases. Anything composed of particle board or panelling and left unsealed, can emit formaldehyde and has the potential to cause difficulty in breathing, watery eyes, or allergies. Extreme levels have been known to cause cancer in animals and humans.

When you’re painting your walls, look for a low VOC brand that contains less toxins. A good rule of thumb is, the stronger the paint smell after you put it on the wall, the higher the level of toxicity.

How many of us are sleeping on an organic bed? An organic bed emits no toxic chemicals and provides a healthy sleep environment.

Most traditional mattresses are made with fire retardant chemicals which seep out, only to be absorbed by our pores and lungs while we are sleeping. After ingesting various chemicals throughout our average day, it gives our bodies a much needed rest if we omit these toxins from our sleeping hours. This is especially true when you consider that people spend about one third of their life in bed.

Some of the common toxins emitted during sleep include:

• Formaldehyde, a chemical which is used in many adhesives and can cause eye and throat irritation and headaches.
• Carcinogenic flame-retardants (known as PBDE’s), many of which are banned in Europe and some U.S. States.
• Decabromodiphenyl Oxide, a brominated flame retardant now being found in women’s breast milk.

Here are a few of the green features in organic bedding and mattresses:

• Natural latex cores wrapped in a natural flame retardant such as cotton or wool
• Emission-free mattresses that contain neither glue nor adhesives (these can emit toxic fumes for the first 2-3 years)
• Natural fiber bedding that not only breathes, but naturally resists dust mites
• Any cotton material used in the production of the bedding should be unbleached. Traditional cotton is not an acceptable choice due to its exposure to large amounts of pesticides and fertilizers prior to harvesting.
• No PBDE’s (fire retardants)
• Hypo-allergenic
• Made in a chemical-free manufacturing plant

Various affordable green mattress retailers include IKEA, Cozypure, Gaiam Greensleep/Vimala and EcoChoices.

1.      Kids & Critters. We all love our four legged friends but they can be a major source of dirt, dander and even pollen. Children are notorious for touching everything inside and outside of the home no matter how many times you remind them to wipe their feet and wash their hands. Remember, once it enters your home chances are it spreads everywhere!

2.      Furniture & Flooring. Carpeting, your favorite chair, the family sofa and even your mattress capture dust, small debris and even old skin from every living creature in the home. Years of accumulation create an organic feeding ground for microscopic creatures like dust mites.

3.      Mold & Mildew. The humidity in the south can really wreak havoc on Atlanta homes even if you don’t experience a flood. Small spores can accumulate to create mold and mildew problems throughout the home.

How to Fix it!

Fortunately you don’t need to learn to live with it! Air quality can be improved by implementing a few common sense steps.

1.      Keep it Clean. Day to day maintenance and cleaning should include a dusting and mopping as well as vacuuming with a HEPA filter.

2.      Scheduled Cleaning. At least once every 2 to 3 years make it a priority to have an Atlanta air duct cleaning company come to your home for a full service cleaning of all the vents and air system. It is also a good idea to have your carpets and upholstery professionally cleaned at the same time so it doesn’t cross contaminate the home.

3.      Go Green. Use only non-toxic cleaners and chemicals. Chemicals build up over time and can create a toxic environment in your home. Avoid harsh detergents, toxic pest control products (indoors and outdoors) and pesticides.