17. Check your plumbing for lead pipes or soldering. If it's lead, get your tap water tested for lead content; you may have to replace some of your plumbing.

18. Air fresheners simply mask odours, and some contain pollutants such as formaldehyde. Deal with the source of the odour or use natural materials, such as cedar balls.

19. Remove carpet from bathrooms and basements – mould often grows in high-humidity areas.

20. Use a cedar chest and lavender paper to deter moths from devouring off-season clothes. Moth balls contain naphthalene, a harmful toxin that may cause cataracts and cancer.

21. Dust mites and their droppings are a common allergen. Thwart them by keeping humidity below 45 per cent. Use pillow cases and mattress covers and wash bedding and pillows regularly in hot water and dry on high heat. Avoid decorating your bed with throw pillows.

22. To keep humidity down, turn on the bathroom fan when you turn on the shower and leave it running for 10 to 15 minutes afterward.

23. Smoking indoors is harmful to everyone's health; smoke can trigger or aggravate asthma, and smoke and tar linger on surfaces.

24. Use mild cleaners, as those containing harsh chemicals can trigger asthma attacks.

25. Install a motion-sensor faucet in your bathroom to curtail germ transmission and conserve water. 

26. Clean or replace filters in portable air conditioners and humidifiers regularly to prevent mould growth. 

27. Check electrical outlets: low-level outlets should have safety plugs installed to protect children; power outdoors and in washrooms should come from ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets, which protect you from electric shock.

28. Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, can seep into your home from sediment, rock or water. It can cause lung cancer, so have a home inspector periodically test for radon.

29. Choose low- or no-VOC (volatile organic compound) paint. These potentially carcinogenic and neurotoxic chemicals are also released by adhesives, paint thinners, nail polish and other materials.

30. Take expired compact fluorescent lightbulbs to a recycling facility or drop-off. These should not be put in the trash since they contain small amounts of mercury. Also consider buying high-efficiency LED bulbs for accent lighting.

31. Have your chimneys inspected every fall and cleaned as necessary to remove combustible debris and creosote buildup from wood-burning stove and fireplace pipes and chimneys.

32. Use a sharp tool such as an awl to check your deck for rot, particularly where wood supports meet underlying structures, where the ledger board fastens to your home's exterior wall and where deck boards meet supporting stringers. Rot can harbour mould and compromise your deck’s strength.

33. Avoid products that use antibacterial chemicals such as triclosan: these can create antibiotic-resistant bacteria and do not protect against viruses. Health Canada recommends regular soap and water as the best way to clean.

34. Avoid burning incense and candles indoors; the byproducts of combustion include carbon monoxide, VOCs, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and soot, all of which can irritate or even cause respiratory conditions.

35. Prevent mildew and dust buildup in your bathroom vents by cleaning them regularly. A few quick strokes with a Q-Tip soaked in rubbing alcohol can easily wipe away residue and potential germs, and keep the air flowing.

Green Living Blog
Find our how our editors are making their lives greener, plus submit your own stories – you could win a dishwasher or one of 30 other prizes!

Read more:
• 7 easy ways to fight smog
• Natural (and cheap) cleaning products
• Top 10 ways to save energy in your kitchen
• Make your bathroom eco-friendly

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