The good thing is that a very thorough Spring clean can make your home healthier for your and your family. Open the windows and start a room-by-room cleaning frenzy. If anyone in your family has allergies or asthma, by decreasing the dust mite population in your home, you can reduce allergy symptoms. An allergy to dust mites is responsible for some of the respiratory problems associated with dust. Common symptoms include nasal congestion, asthma and itchy, watery eyes. Most beds do contain millions of these microscopic critters, the bedroom is a great place to start cleaning.

Ridding Dust in the Bedroom:

1. If you can, flip and vacuum the mattress and cover it with a mite-proof cover.
2. Wash all bedding, including duvets and blankets in warm water using a presoaking cycle.
3. Vacuum carpeting and rugs weekly. Use a vacuum with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, which removes 99 percent of dust.
4. Wipe all surfaces with a damp cloth. A dry cloth will just release the dust back into the air. Use a microfibre cloth and water for dusting so as not to leave behind any harsh chemical residues.
5. Replace your pillows every 2 years. A two-year-old pillow can be composed of up to 10 percent dust mite feces and carcasses.
6. Clear the room of clutter, old magazines, books and knick-knacks as these are the perfect dust collectors.
7. Do not use moth balls as they contain naphthalene, a possible carcinogen. Try a type that contains natural moth pheromones.

The Bathroom:

Due to the smaller size and confined space of the bathroom, it is easier for concentrations of pollution. Moisture and humidity, and chemicals from personal-care products and cleaning products are also negative to health in this part of your home.

1. An international 2009 Home Hygiene Study identified the shower and bath as 3rd  for having the most germs in the home. Wipe your shower and bathtub once a week with a disinfectant. Experts warm that antibacterial products contain triclosan that may be contributing to antibiotic-resistant germs. Regular white vinegar will clean just a good. Spray it and let it sit for 5 minutes to remove the dirt and soap scum.
2. If you spray hydrogen peroxide on the ceiling above the shower, it will prevent mold and mildew from growing.
3. The surfaces touched the most, harbor the most germs for infection. The toilet handle and seat, faucets and door handles are the worst so disinfect these as much as possible.
4. If you use a soap dish -DON”T! They are breeding grounds for bacteria. So are those plastic shower curtains make of PVC, which can release asthma-triggering VOC’s into the air. Look for shower curtains made from PEVA.
5. If you have a family member with asthma or allergies, store personal-care products, like hair spray, perfume and nail polish remover, in an area where they will not affect others. You can also try using nontoxic alternatives.
6. When washing the floor, spend extra time around the toilet – goes without saying!
7. Bathroom cleaners are very harsh, try using chemical -free ones that will not irritate eyes, nose, throat and lungs.
8. De-clutter! Also throw away expired or unused medication and cold/flu medicines.

The Living Room:

This is a multipurpose room that get most traffic and can get dirtier and cluttered. Vacuum last after you ave cleaned other surfaces first. Remember ceiling fans as they collect lots of dust.

1. Take down all draperies and curtains and clean them according to manufacturer’s instructions. You can also use a dry cleaner.
2. Dust the blinds and wash windows.
3. Unplug and dust all electronics, including the TV. Vacuum around cords and vents for dust bunnies.
4. Brush your pets regularly to minimize dander and fur.
5. Houseplants are great air purifiers. Peace lilies, spider plants, Boston ferns and philodendrons are great choices.
6. Stains on furniture and carpets should be treated with a nontoxic product.

The Kitchen:

Counters and sinks are breeding grounds for germs. The kitchen sink is more contaminated with bacteria than your toilet or garbage can. Scrub the sink every few days. Wipe down all counters and work surfaces as well. Door and cupboard handles, faucets and the microwave should be cleaned regularly as they are most often touched.

1. Replace any Teflon-coated pans as they are made with a chemical considered to be a carcinogen. Try using cast iron, quality stainless steel or ceramic coated cookware.
2. Damp sponges and dishcloths harbor germs. Clean them daily.
3. Keep the garbage can germ and odour-free.
4. Replace the water filter to prevent bacteria from accumulating. Levels of bacteria present in water that has passed through an improperly maintained home-filtration device may be 2,000 times higher than the bacteria levels in unfiltered water.

Basement and Laundry Room:

Basements are often damp which promotes mold and dust mite growth. Use a dehumidifier to prevent excessive humidity.

1. Change air filters every 3 or so months to help reduce dust and pollen and improve overall air quality of home.
2. Try using an alternative to the chemical fabric softeners as they can leave a chemical residue on clothes that can irritate the skin and cause asthma symptoms.
3. Remove all paint cans or other chemical products stored in your basement as these will leak fumes, even if covered.
4. Always clean the lint trap of your dryer after each use. A build up of lint can be a very serious fire hazard.

The best way to rid your home of germs is to be on top of cleaning. Cellphones can be germier than toilets so wipe it with a sanitizing wipe daily. Your TV remote is handles by everyone -they sneeze and cough and touch the remote. Also sanitize daily. Computer mouse and keyboard and kids’ electronic devices need to be cleaned daily as well -goes without saying. Nearly two-thirds of the dust in our homes is tracked in from the outside. Put doormats at all entranceways and shake them of or vacuum regularly to remove dust and dirt collected.

The research information was presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology in the Fall of last year. The study tested how allergenic plants responded to conditions that mimic those from global warming, including changing weather patterns and increases in temperature and carbon dioxide.

The researchers predict pollen counts could reach 21,735 particles of pollen per cubic meter by the year 2040. This is a drastic spike from 2000′s then the average pollen count was 8,455. Also predicted, as Spring arrives earlier due to climate change, pollen seasons will begin earlier as well. In 2000, pollen production began mid April and peaked the beginning of May, but by the year 2040, the researchers predict production will start nearly a month earlier and peaking the beginning of April.

For example, as ragweed increases its range in North America, pollen counts are increasing, which means that allergy sufferers will see longer and more intense episodes of sneezing, itching and runny nose.

In a 2002 study in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, it was found that ragweed, which causes most Fall allergies, produces 61 per cent more pollen when grown in an atmosphere with double the normal amount of carbon dioxide. Pollen produced under high CO2 conditions may even be more highly allergenic. Pollen records have been increasing yearly.

Since allergies can trigger asthma attacks, higher pollen counts and earlier pollen releases will have serious implications for those suffering from asthma, and could even be connected to the global rise of asthma cases.

As the climate warms and Spring and Summer become longer seasons, allergy seasons will extend as well. When allergy sufferers have no break from symptoms, it makes them more prone to serious allergy attacks than if they had a break between seasons.

As far as indoor air quality is concerned, this will greatly affect allergy sufferers if the air is not filtered properly in homes and work spaces. Having the HVAC system thoroughly cleaned regularly and the proper furnace filter installed will be very important to prevent these pollen allergens from continuously being recirculated in the air.

The high acidity level of vinegar makes it very effective for killing mold, bacteria and germs. Regular distilled white vinegar is a great cleaner for most dirty jobs. For those areas that may need some cleaning help, pickling vinegar is 7% acidity instead of the average 5 per cent of the regular white.

Kitchen: Vinegar can freshen sponges and dishrags by soaking them overnight. You can remove soap buildup and odors from the dishwasher by running an empty machine with 1 cup of white distilled vinegar. You can also loosed grime and clean out your microwave by putting a bowl of vinegar and water to a boil in the microwave for 3 minutes.

Bathroom: Vinegar can remove soap buildup with a non-toxic scouring solution (1 part to 4 parts white distilled vinegar). Deodorize the toilet by pouring 3 cups of white distilled vinegar into the bowl and letting it sit for 30 minutes before scrubbing and flushing. Did you know that vinegar also fights dandruff??!!. Massage it into your scalp. What a cheaper alternative! (although I am not sure about the smell!)

Living Room: Vinegar is an excellent glass cleaner! Chemical residue form your older cleaner may leave streaks but the vinegar will clean all that grime. You can also restore color to your carpet by brushing a vinegar solution. Mix 1 cup white distilled vinegar for every 4 cups of water. (spot test in a corner first).

Laundry Room: You can reduce static by adding 1/2 cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle of your washing machine (no need for chemical-laden dryer sheets). The vinegar will also preserve the color of your washing as well! Stains on your whites will be removed if you boil them briefly in a large pot of water with 1 cup of white distilled vinegar. Then wash as you normally would.

Another great thing vinegar does is disinfect. So if you have kids toys that need a good cleaning try using vinegar instead of soap!

Most people know to open a window or door when painting because the paint fumes are quite strong and can give you that fume-induced headache. It is also very important to seek out a paint with low or no VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) as these harmful toxins will continue to be emitted from the freshly painted walls.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has found through its studies that the presence of several organic (carbon-based) pollutants are 2 to 5 times higher indoors than they are outdoors and that elevated concentrations of these toxins can persist long after the activity, such as painting, has ended. VOC levels can reach a noxious high during and immediately after painting, and will continue to slowly off-gas for days or even years, after the paint has dried and the room is used. It has been discovered that only 50 percent of VOC’s contained in the paint are released within the first year of application.

VOC’s are not only found in paint but also in other home improvement products such as finishes, stains, cleaners, waxes, air fresheners and wood preservatives. Carpeting and furniture also can contain VOC’s. These toxins have been linked to a variety of long- and short-term health conditions, including eye irritation and respiratory problems, nausea, dizziness and headaches, and kidney, liver and central nervous system damage. Cancer has also been linked to exposure.

When painting, the easiest way to avoid the release of VOC’s in your home is to just use interior latex paints that contain a low amount or no VOC’s. Also important to note is that adding pigment can slightly increase the VOC levels in a can of paint. There are now many water-based latex paints that contain minimal or close to no petrochemical-based pollutants. These “green” paints are widely available and can be found in similar colors as the conventional oil-based paints.

Avoiding VOC’s and other chemicals while doing home improvements is much easier nowadays. Look for low-emitting primers, finishers, adhesives, thinners, stains, cleanup solvents and other related products. When renovating, always have proper ventilation such as open windows and doors and fans.

Once you are finished painting, make sure to store the unused paint in a safe place away from heat and cold, pets and children. You can recycle leftover paint or take to a household waste collection site.

Once you have your “green” paint and home renovation products you can rest easy knowing that you and your loved ones will breathe “VOC-free” indoor air.

What Exactly is Pollen?

Plants will produce microscopic round or oval pollen grains to reproduce. In some species, the plant uses the pollen from its own flowers to fertilize itself. Other types must be cross-pollinated; this means the pollen must be transferred from the flower of one plant to that of another plant of the same species. Insects do this for certain flowering plants, while other plants rely on wind for pollen transportation.

The types of pollen that most commonly cause allergic reactions are produced by the plain-looking plants (trees, grasses and weeds) that don’t have big flowers. These plants produce small, light and dry pollen granules that are transported by the wind. Ragweed pollen has been collected 400 miles out at sea and 2 miles high in the air. So these pollen particles will travel far distances if the conditions are right. Due to this, removing an area of the offending plat does little help. Also, most allergenic pollen comes from plants that produce it in huge quantities. A single ragweed plant can generate a million grains of pollen a day.

The chemical make-up of pollen is the basic factor that determines whether it is likely to cause hay fever. For example, pine tree pollen is produced in large amounts by a common tree, which is a good candidate for causing allergy. The chemical composition of pine pollen appears to make it less allergenic that other types. Pine pollen is heavy and tends to fall straight down and not scatter, therefore it rarely reaches human respiratory systems.

In North American pants, weeds are the most prolific producers of allergenic pollen. Ragweed is the major culprit but others of importance are sagebrush, red root, pigweed, tumbleweed and English plantain.

Grasses and trees are important sources of allergenic pollens. There are more than 1,000 species of grass growing in North America but only a few produce highly allergenic pollen. These include Kentucky bluegrass, Johnson grass, orchard grass and Bermuda grass. Threes that produce pollen include oak, ash, elm, hickory, box elder and mountain cedar.

It is possible for people to be allergic to colorful or scented flowers like roses, but you would have to have prolonged and close contact with these flowers to become sensitive to them, such as gardeners or florists.

Seasons of Pollen

People experience allergy symptoms when the pollen grains are in the air. Each type of plant has a pollinating period that is more or less the same each year. Pollination also depends on the relative length of night and day and its geographical location, not the weather. Weather conditions during pollination affect the amount of pollen produced and its distribution per year. Therefore the farther north you go, the later the pollinating period and the later the allergy season.

A pollen count is a measure of how much pollen is in the air. The count represents the concentration of all the pollen in the air in a certain area at a specific time. It is expressed in grains of pollen per square meter of air collected over 24 hours. Pollen tends to be highest early in the morning on warm, dry, breezy days and lowest during chilly, wet periods. A pollen count is helpful as a general guide for when it is advisable to stay indoors and avoid contact with pollen.

Prevention

• Keep windows in your home closed to lower your exposure to pollen. Use air conditioners instead of having open windows to cool home.
• Avoid the outdoors between 5 – 10 am. Try to do outdoor activities for late afternoon or after it rains, when pollen levels are lower.
• Be aware that pollen can also be transported indoors on people and pets.
• Dry your clothes in a dryer rather than hanging them outside.

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, more than 35 million people are affected by seasonal allergies. There are steps you can take during your annual spring-cleaning routine, other than taking medication, that may help allergy sufferers. Allergens may not be completely eliminated from your home but at least exposure to allergens can be reduced.

Here are some tips to reduce allergens in the home:

1.  Keep the Outdoors Out: If you are an allergy sufferer you most likely know what triggers your symptoms. On breezy days try to keep windows and doors closed to prevent pollen getting in. If you have been outside, change your clothes or have a shower to wash any allergens off and to prevent transferring them to indoor surfaces such as bedding or furniture. Allergens that are tracked indoors can stay potent enough to cause symptoms for days.
2. Use a Vacuum with a High-Efficiency Particulate Air Filter (HEPA): When vacuuming, irritants like dust mites and pet dander can easily be released back into the room while you clean. By using a vacuum with a HEPA filter, this traps allergens while cleaning and also the cleaning is much more thorough.
3. Regularly Wash Bedding: Dust mites are a common trigger of indoor allergy and asthma symptoms. They thrive on soft surfaces, so the greatest exposure to them is usually through the mattress. Wash the bedding weekly in very hot water and dry on the hot cycle as well. You can use waterproof mattress protectors that still allow for air circulation.
4. Clean Drapes and Upholstery: Allergens cling to soft surfaces therefore it is very important to wash, dry-clean or vacuum drapes, sofas and chairs to remove lingering allergens. Wash rugs and flooring as well. If it is possible, remove wall-to-wall carpeting in the house and opt for hard floors.
5. Dust Surfaces: Dust can be an allergen so it is important to keep up with dusting. Try using a damp microfiber cloth to trap dust. Don’t forget the baseboards, door jams, ceiling fan blades and blinds. Commonly forgotten places such as under the stove or fridge are great places for dust to settle.Try to eliminate clutter in your home as well. It provides more places for dust to settle and makes cleaning more difficult.
6. Monitor Humidity Levels: To keep allergens that grow in damp areas, such as mold, under control, maintain proper humidity in your home. Indoor humidity should be kept below 50 per cent. Use dehumidifiers in damp areas like the basement. Use air conditioning in humid weather to remove moisture from the air, remember to replace the filter regularly as well.
7. Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Many household cleaning products contain chemicals that cause sensitivities and allergies. Many contains strong fragrances that, when inhaled, bring on allergy symptoms. When cleaning, try using natural products and always have proper ventilation. Open a window or door when cleaning to allow fresh air in.
8. Clean up After Pets: Pet dander is a common allergy irritant. The dander will collect everywhere, especially on soft surfaces. Ensure you are vacuuming and cleaning this. Washing your pet and its bedding regularly will cut down on dander accumulation.
9. Furnace and Air Duct Cleaning: This is a very important step. Over time, dust and debris, along with other allergens will accumulate in the duct work of your home. Every time the furnace kicks on, the air containing those allergens is recirculated throughout your home and exposing those allergens throughout.
10. Furnace Filter: Replacing the filter in your furnace every couple months will ensure the air is being filtered properly. There are various MERV rated filters that you can install in your furnace with different filtering capabilities.

Easter is a “moveable feast”, meaning it is not fixed in relation to the civil calendar. The First Council of Nicaea (325) established the date of Easter as the first Sunday after the full moon following the March equinox. The date of Easter therefore varies between March 22 and April 25.

The Easter Bunny

The Easter Bunny or Rabbit is a character depicted as a rabbit bringing Easter eggs. It is sometimes depicted with clothes. In legend, the creature carries colored eggs in his basket, candy and sometimes toys to the homes of children on the night before Easter Sunday.

The hare was a popular motif in medieval church art. Associated with the Holy Trinity, in which the triangle of 3 interlocking shapes. This motif usually appears in a prominent place in the church, suggesting the symbol held significance. Eggs, like rabbits and hares, are symbols of fertility of antiquity. Since birds lay eggs and rabbits have large litters in the spring, these became symbols of the rising fertility of the earth at the March Equinox. The tradition of the Easter Bunny leaving a basket of treats is common in North America but not in other parts of the world. The idea of an egg-laying rabbit went to America i the 1700′s through immigrants arriving from Germany. They told their children to make nests before Easter with their caps and bonnets and if they were good, the Easter bunny would leave them colored eggs.

The precise origin of the ancient custom of decorating eggs is not known, but the blooming of flowers in spring coincides with the use of the fertility symbol of eggs. The eggs boiled with flowers did change their color, bringing spring into the home. For Christians the egg is a symbol of Jesus’ resurrection, as when they are cracked open they stand for the empty tomb. Eggs were thought to be special because they have life within them, especially at springtime when chicks are hatching.

Long ago people gave gifts of eggs carved from wood or precious stones. The first sweet eggs that were eaten were made in the last 100 years from sugar or marzipan. Since then, chocolate eggs have become popular and these are given usually on Easter Sunday.

Whatever your beliefs and customs, Easter is a time to spend with your family and loved ones. Having a long weekend is always a nice thing too, and who doesn’t love a few chocolates and candies!

What does not make me happy is this:

Even in the shape of a cute little bunny, dust bunnies are not cute!

Now that Spring is upon us we all get that urge to clean and purge our homes. Over the long and cold winter months, our homes accumulate dust and debris. We have been running our furnaces to heat our homes and by now the HVAC systems in homes need a good cleaning as well. With all the dusting and washing that is going on, our furnaces and duct work are accumulating dust and debris, which then acts as a trap for VOC’s that are released into the air every time we spray a chemical cleaning product. So in turn, all this is then just redistributed throughout our homes every time the furnace kicks on. So when making that Spring Cleaning Checklist, make sure to include your HVAC system!

Otherwise this is what may be inside your duct work!

Commercial egg dye kits use chemicals and artificial colors. Color additives such as Red No. 3 and Yellow No. 5 were found to cause tumors, according to a study done by the FDA.

It is more time-consuming than using the store-bought conventional egg dye kit, but it is healthier for your kids and the environment. Using dyes from natural foods is better for you and your children’s health and it makes for some interesting colors, and can be a great teaching opportunity for you to show your kids alternative methods that are healthier and safer for the environment.

 The Steps for Homemade Dyes (always the same):

1. Chop or grate fruits and vegetables
2. Combine with enough water to cover
3. Add 1 Tbsp of vinegar (as fixative)
4. Boil for 15 minutes
5. Drain liquid, set aside solids for decorating effects

Plant Pigments

**Let pigment cool, submerge egg for 15 minutes. The longer the egg sits in the dye, the more vibrant the color.

These products are marked with the poison, corrosive or irritant labels to warn consumers about acute health hazards associated with single or short-term exposure to chemicals in the product. Unfortunately there is no requirement in Canada for manufacturers to warn consumers about the health and environmental hazards associated with chronic, or long-term exposure to chemical ingredients in household cleaning products. We are exposed to these chemical residues at low levels on a daily basis.

Some of these chemical ingredients are associated with cancer, reproductive problems, asthma and other respiratory effects, and allergies. Cleaning products flushed down the drain also affect aquatic ecosystems.

When we clean our homes with these cleaners, they linger in the air and we breathe them in. In the U.S. researchers identified 133 unique volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) emitted from a sample of consumer products. Each product emitted between one and eight chemicals classified as toxic or hazardous under U.S. federal laws.

Chemicals in cleaning products can also enter our bodies by absorption through the skin or through ingestion of household dust and chemical residues left on dishes and cutlery. The following is a list of some of the dangerous chemicals that we expose ourselves to:

Fragrance Chemicals

Found in most cleaning products

There are more than 3000 chemicals use in fragrance mixes. Many of these are irritants and can trigger allergies, migraines, and asthma symptoms. Synthetic musks used in detergents are thought to be endocrine disrupters that mimic or interfere with hormone function. Another common fragrance ingredient are Phthalates that are used in laundry detergents, fabric softeners and deodorizers. Glass cleaners and floor polishes also contain them. Air fresheners contain so many fragrance chemicals, including cancer-causing Benzene and Formaldehyde, as well as Phthalates and numerous VOC’s.

 Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (NPEs)

Found in liquid laundry detergents, stain removers, all-purpose cleaners, air fresheners, toilet bowl cleaners, degreasers and car wash products

Stimulates the growth of human breast cancer cells and cause adverse reproductive effects. Several chemicals in this class are listed as toxic substances under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. Environment Canada required companies to develop plans to reduce NPEs in cleaning products as well as in textiles and pulp and paper products by 95 per cent.

 Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Quats)

Found in bathroom cleaning products, all-purpose cleaners, fabric softeners and degreasers

These can induce an allergic response following contact with skin. They are also known to cause asthma in cleaning workers and evidence shows they may also cause adverse genetic and reproductive effects. Quats are anti-microbial agents and their widespread use in household disinfectants and cosmetics is contributing to antibiotic resistant bacteria, therefore limiting treatment options for microbial infections. The Canadian Medical Association has called for a ban on antibacterial consumer products.

 Sodium Hydroxide (Lye and Caustic Soda)

Found in oven and bathroom cleaners, disinfectants, drain openers, and toilet bowl cleaners

This is highly corrosive. It will burn the eyes, skin and lungs and is a respiratory irritant. Long-term exposure in the air may lead to ulceration of the nasal passages and chronic skin irritation.

 MEA (Monoethanalomine), DEA (Diethanolamine), TEA (Triethanolamine)

Found in liquid laundry detergents, all-purpose cleaners, floor cleaners, car wash products, dish soap, oven cleaners and glass/surface cleaners

These react with other chemicals and are a human carcinogen. DEA is a mild skin and severe eye irritant and is known to induce asthma in workplace settings.

 Ammonia

Found in window, drain, toilet, bathroom, oven, stainless-steel, and all-purpose cleaners.

Vapours may irritate the skin, eyes, throat and lungs. People with asthma are particularly sensitive to the effects of breathing ammonia. It may also cause kidney and liver damage. The use in cleaning products results in much higher levels of exposure to vapours than from naturally occurring ammonia.

**These are just a few of the chemicals in everyday household cleaners. Next time you are down the cleaning aisle, take a few minutes to read the labels of your chosen cleaners and if they contain these toxic chemicals, maybe try an alternative. If you use products containing these substances make sure you have proper ventilation such as an open window or door when using them. Also regularly have your duct work cleaned as these substances, when becoming airborne, will settle into the dust and debris in the ducts and then will be continuously recirculated throughout your home every time your furnace or air conditioner is running.