Healing Systems

How to Naturally Improve Indoor Air Quality

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There are many sources of indoor air pollution in any home. These include building materials and furnishings as well as, asbestos-containing insulation, carpeting, and cleaning products. This is even more troubling when research tells us we spend approximately 90 of our time indoors. Thus, for many of us, the exposure to indoor air pollution may be greater than outdoors.

But, to keep your air clean, there are certain things you can do. This article will be sharing some ideas about how to clean indoor air.

Improving indoor air quality starts with minimizing pollutants. So, let’s start with some general cleanliness guidelines that you should consider immediately.

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Avoid These 4 Things For Better Air Quality

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1. Dirty Blankets, Mattresses, and Upholstery

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This might not be the first thing that you think of when you’re trying to breathe easy, but it’s an important detail.

The places where we sit and sleep collect massive amounts of dead skin cells, dander from pets, and dust particles. These tiny particles fly through the air and can cause breathing issues. Not only that, but it is also a fact that tiny mites love to eat, defecate, and live in dead skin and other bits. Cleaning your bedding and vacuuming your mattress can reduce mites and issues that may seem like allergies.

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2. Ceiling Dust and Cobwebs

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Your ceiling can become an easy catcher for cobwebs and dust particles. As the moisture levels of the room rise and fall, spider webs and dust begin to band together to create dense cobwebs. Getting rid of these can prevent you from having falling dust particles that land in your food, or get inhaled.

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3. Smoking Inside the Home

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[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]You already know smoking causes breathing issues. But beyond this, it can become a serious menace to appliances, children, and pets by collecting in areas with dust particles. Smoke is a fraction of the size of an average dust particle and can penetrate microscopic cracks. In fact, it can even enter sealed sensitive electronics and laptops. So, keeping a smoke free environment can also save you money on appliances besides protecting your health. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=”turquoise” style=”shadow”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

4. Harsh Chemical Cleaners

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]For the last 50 years, science has created revolutionary products designed to make cleaning easier. But it didn’t take long before we began to tie ailments to poisonous chemicals in many common cleaners. Unfortunately, household cleaning products are not forced to disclose toxic ingredients, so make sure you purchase products that are non-toxic, natural and green!

To check information on cleaning product ingredients from published scientific literature, go here: EWG.org[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=”turquoise” style=”shadow”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1582673150539{background-color: #a2d16a !important;}”]

How To Clean Indoor Air

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Do you ever find yourself coughing or having a difficult time breathing when you are in your home or at work?

There are certain actions you can do to have a high quality of indoor air.

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1. Get Some Houseplants

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An often overlooked source of managing air quality is houseplants.

Plant life exists on earth locked in a symbiotic relationship where they provide oxygen as a waste byproduct of their life functions. Then animal life supplies carbon dioxide and other gasses that plants can use. You can use this fundamental aspect of nature to put yourself close to sources of clean air.

In addition, plants are also known to help in the control of the presence of molds and other airborne agents.

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Indoor Houseplants That Clean Your Air

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How many plants do you have in your home? Most families have at least one. But few people realize the real value of keeping plants in the house for air purification.

Plants absorb a large number of airborne wastes including mold, gases, and other excretions. Here are some indoor houseplants that are perfect for cleaning and purifying your air.

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Aloe Vera

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This plant is famous for its wide range of topical uses and its ability to promote healing in the skin. Not only is Aloe Vera a great plant to have around for medicine, but it’s also great at helping keep the air in your home clean.

This plant is very easy to take care of and doesn’t need a ton of water for it to remain feeling healthy. Placing it in a central position will help the plant to clean various pollutants from modern building materials from the air.

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Ficus

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This plant is another very low maintenance plant that has its origins in Southeast Asia. The ficus is well known for its positive effects on people at one point believed to be coming from the plant’s energy. But, recent research has attributed the benefits to the plant’s ability to cleanse the air of large amounts of impurities.

You can keep a ficus indoors in winter months then transfer outdoors in warmer months.

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Boston Fern

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This plant requires indirect light a little water. The Boston Fern can cleanse the air of the harmful chemical xylene, and they look beautiful hanging in almost any area. Pick up more than one of these or the most significant benefit.

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Dracaena

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[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Dracaena is a plant with a wide variety of types and colors. This makes it a popular indoor plant for decoration. But beyond its stylish colors and interesting looks, this plant is a major ally in the search for clean air. The Dracaena removes residues of some plastics and petroleum products from the air, and does so while looking great.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=”turquoise” style=”shadow”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Snake Plant

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[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Snake plant is a desert climate plant. That means that it tends to do the best in a dry area, and requires very little water. They filter out chemicals like trichloroethylene and look great next to your front door, or in any corner. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=”turquoise” style=”shadow”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1512244105199{background-color: #e2f2f0 !important;}”]

2. Clean Air Ducts

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Dust is everywhere, and no matter what you do it will end up in places. Changes in air temperature can cause the formation of condensation. This can lead to a more serious problem that can make you ill by giving mold spores a place to propagate.

Cleaning your air ducts reduces that chance bacteria and mold infested dust will be blown all over your environment.

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Tips for Cleaning Your Air Ducts

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]When you turn on your air system, the air that passes through your duct system carries with it whatever pollutants, dust, or bacteria are there. This means you need to prevent a build-up of these factors. Here are some tips and guidelines for keeping your air ducts clean.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Grab A Mop

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The first thing you’ll want to do is turn off your air system and remove the vent covers. This is usually done with a screwdriver and takes a minute. Once the cover is off, clean the dust out of the slats outside of the home because cleaning dusty objects put half of it back into the air.

Use a dry, string mop to gently remove particles from the ducts. Once you finish, run the air system for 5 minutes to move the dislodged dust and replace the air filter. Put the vent covers back on and operate as usual.

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Clean Surfaces

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When you’re running your air system, dust and particles from your home are able to float and swirl through the air freely. Be sure to keep the surfaces in your home as clean as possible. This would include any carpets or flooring that you may have in your home.

If you keep up general cleanliness, it will reduce the amount of dust and pollutants that find their way into your air ducts.

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Check for Moisture

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Moisture can be the beginning of a few different types of problems. Your ducts should be well insulated to prevent any moisture condensation. Moisture can become a breeding ground for microorganisms that can cause respiratory infections.

When the moisture meets with the dust, it can form a hard crust that keeps germs and dangerous mold spores protected from your efforts to keep the area clean. Always be sure to check around areas where water passes, but also be mindful of windows, and behind appliances. Seal edges of walls near the floor where moisture can penetrate.

By doing this on a regular basis, you have a great chance at reducing allergens in the home.

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3. Clean Carpets and Flooring

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Dust nearly always settles on the floor as its final resting place. Keeping carpets and flooring clean of dust will mean less dust that can be kicked up by movement. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1512244123535{background-color: #e2f2f0 !important;}”]

4. Open Your Windows

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Sometimes the best thing is just to get some fresh air. Open your windows and let in fresh air. This can help carry some of the pollutants out of the home.

When you’re cleaning, there’s nothing better than a stiff breeze to take a lot of that trapped house dust, dander, and skin cells away. Also, sunlight can kill some of the harmful bacteria and microorganisms. Make sure that you never go longer than a week without fresh air in your home.

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5. Add an Air Purifier

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]If you have done all you can to reduce allergens in your home, but are still plagued by allergies, consider adding an air purifier. Both the U.S. EPA and the American Lung Association recommend air filtration if you suffer from allergies or asthma.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

Here are the top 3 Air Purifiers on Amazon.com

Rabbit Air MinusA2 – AMAZON REVIEWS
Honeywell HPA300 True HEPA Alergen Remover – AMAZON REVIEWS
Winix PlasmaWave 550 – AMAZON REVIEWS

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6. Salt Lamps

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[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Another natural air purifier that neutralizes toxins is a Himalayan salt lamp. Adding a Salt Lamp to any room in your house is an excellent way to cleanse and deodorize the air. You can read more about their benefits here: Himalayan Salt Lamp Health Benefits[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1512243999168{background-color: #e2f2f0 !important;}”]

7. Essential Oils for Air Purification

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Clean air is one of the most important things we need to survive. Any contamination of this precious resource is bound to have unpleasant effects.

Luckily, nature has provided plants to create concentrated versions of their most helpful agents. Using them to develop essential oils is an ancient and efficient way to deliver their healing properties.

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Tea Tree Oil

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Tea tree oil is one of the most potent essential oils available for daily use. This particular oil is well known for its powerful antimicrobial attributes, used to deal with bacterial and fungal infections. You can easily transfer these abilities into the air by using a heated diffuser to mist the oil into the air. This will help kill and reduce the number of allergens, bacteria, and fungal spores float in the air in your home. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

how to clean indoor air — Jade Bloom Tea Tree oil

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Eucalyptus Oil

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This oil is famous for its powerful odor. The menthol contained in eucalyptus can dilate your lung system and allow more air to pass through.

Another significant effect it has is to help you to expel particles that have become trapped in mucus so that they will no longer irritate. You can also use it to give you relief when you use it in a neti pot.

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Basil Oil

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Basil oil is a potent anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal. This oil is strong, so when you use it topically, it’s a good idea to mix it with another oil so that it doesn’t irritate the skin or throat. You can place it directly on your chest to increase its localized benefits.

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Peppermint Oil

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Peppermint oil is one of the most exciting oils on this list. Research has uncovered that it has a clear and tested ability to reduce muscle action that results in coughing. This is due to its muscle relaxing properties. It is another oil that you should dilute with another oil to reduce its possibility of causing a reaction, but then you’ll free to breathe easy. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

natural remedies for earache — Jade Bloom Peppermint Oil

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Why Thrive Market?

Do you know about Thrive Market?

It’s an online health food market selling organic groceries and natural health and beauty products. All I can say is that I’ve become a wholehearted supporter over the last year! In fact, I recently wrote a review of Thrive Market to spread the word. Here’s why…

Products at Thrive Market are typically 25-50% less expensive than if you were to purchase the exact same item at Whole Foods or your local market. They even have Amazon’s prices beat!
They have continuous promotions that enable you to save even more money or get free gifts. For example, clicking this link will get you a free bottle of maple syrup.
If you use this link, you can save another 25% off your first order and get free shipping – This is in addition to the 25-50% off you’ll already be saving.
It’s quick and convenient – My orders arrive typically within 2 days. For example, if I order on Monday, my box arrives on Wednesday… And they have free nationwide delivery!
Thrive Market is a socially conscious platform with a social mission. For every member on their site, the company also sponsors a free membership for a low-income family make healthy food available for all! How cool is that?