Many consumers are realizing that “going green” isn’t just about creating a healthy planet, it’s about creating healthy homes and workplaces. Here are some suggestions you may or may not have considered before for “greening up” your living environments to improve your health and the health of those you care about.

Get your air handling system cleaned. Indoor air quality is rated in the top 5 health concerns by the EPA. Clean air ducts and an electrostatic air filter can go a long way toward cleaning up the air you breathe and helping your air conditioning/heating system work more efficiently, thus reducing cost of operation.

Consider an air purifying unit. If indoor air quality is a major issue,or if you have asthma or other respiratory ailments, you may want to get an air purifying system. The most effective units use EMF (Enhanced Media Filtration) technology, which surpasses even HEPA filtration.

Keep carpet and upholstery clean, but don’t use soaps, detergents, or chemicals. That’s because those products leave sticky residues that attract dirt like a magnet. The most important thing you can do is vacuum frequently, getting rid of the dry, abrasive particles that cause fibers to deteriorate quickly. For most spills, if you act quickly, plain water and blotting with a clean towel will take care of it. But, to keep carpet and textiles properly maintained, they should be cleaned at least once a year by a professional who leaves zero residue behind.

Replace household cleaning products with natural or “green” products. One of the contributors to the indoor air quality problem discussed in tip #1 is the use of highly toxic cleaning products around the home or workplace. There are many alternatives that work just as well, or better, without exposing yourself and others to harmful fumes and chemicals. Did you know that many cleaning situations can be handled with simple products you probably already have around your home, like vinegar and baking soda?

Use natural products for pest control. Another culprit in the indoor air quality issue is the use of toxic products for pest control. There are natural alternatives, such as Cedar Oil, that keep non-beneficial pests at bay without exposing you, your children, or your pets to harmful insecticides.

Use microfiber cloths for cleaning countertops, mirrors, and other surfaces. Because of the way these cloths are constructed, they can actually remove bacteria from surfaces without the use of harsh chemicals.

Use microfiber mops for cleaning hard floors. Getting your tile & grout professionally cleaned and the grout sealed every couple of years, and then using a microfiber mop to maintain it, will keep your floors looking great without having to get on your hands and knees with a toothbrush and bleach. And because you don’t need a lot of water with the microfiber mops, they’re great for hardwood too.

Get granite countertops sealed. But be careful of the sealer that is used, as some can be highly toxic. Many consumers don’t realize that granite is an extremely porous stone, and can have many microscopic cracks and fissures in it. These are perfect breeding grounds for bacteria, especially in food prep areas. When the granite is sealed, those pores and cracks are filled in and it allows for a much more sanitary surface.

Keep glass shower doors clean. Similar to the granite mentioned above, most people don’t realize that glass is also a porous uneven surface at the microscopic level. That’s why soap scum and minerals from hard water are such a problem. These deposits become a breeding ground for bacteria, and are very difficult to remove once they have built up. Get glass shower doors cleaned and then sealed to reduce adherence of soap and minerals, and they will be much easier to clean and maintain.

Last but not least, Get the lint out! Lint buildup in the dryer filter and the vent can cause your dryer to work harder than it needs to and can be a fire hazard. The filter should be emptied between each load, and if you use dryer sheets, it should be taken out and washed with hot, soapy water about every six months (a waxy buildup can occur that limits air and moisture flow). The area around your dryer and the dryer vent should be cleaned every 18 months to remove lint and other particles that make it past the filter.