Oprah’s Advice for Indoor Air Quality and More

Oprah Winfrey has climbed aboard to spread the word about better indoor air quality. In an episode of her show entitled Dr. Oz on Aging: How to Turn Back Time, Part 2, a segment included some tips for healthier home air from Dr. Oz. In addition to the tips listed below, he has also included a more detailed plan for how to detox your home. This part of the website has a fun, interactive diagram that lets you see different rooms of the house and how you can make them safer and healthier to live in. 

As far as indoor air quality, Dr. Oz and Oprah had a variety of products on their table to examine that could help eliminate the use of more harsh chemicals or other hazards. 

Their safety tips included:

• Regularly open windows to air out your home.

• Remove your shoes when coming inside to avoid spreading pesticides and chemicals.

• Don’t microwave your food in plastic containers.

• Use household ingredients to clean your bathroom (Where have we heard this before?).

• If you dry clean, remove the bags from your clothes while you’re outside and air them out for a day before you wear them.

• Use a dehumidifier to prevent mold and mildew growth.

• Keep paints or varnishes in well-ventilated areas away from your living space.

• Have lots of plants for rejuvenated oxygen. 

It’s great to know that key societal influencers like Oprah are spreading the word about healthy home air. We love the tips that Dr. Oz has suggested, and we have a few more of our own healthy home tips to add.

• Be careful with sponges. If you’ve spilled something like raw meat juice or raw egg, it’s best to use a sanitized dish towel to wipe up the spill and toss it in the wash. If you do use sponges, be sure to change them regularly. Sponges can spread millions of bacteria that can thrive for weeks.

• Make sure that you’ve installed bathroom exhaust fans and kitchen fans to wick away excess moisture that could otherwise cause mold and mildew.

• Remember to NEVER mix bleach products and ammonia products together as this combination can be lethal to you if you breathe in the fumes. (Remember your baking soda?)

• Remind your children to always wash their hands when coming in from outside or after using the bathroom, and also be cautious not to overuse antibacterial soap. Warm water and a glycerin soap will do the trick for most occasions. 

• Of course, we couldn’t leave this one out – test your home for radon! 

What other easy-to-remember and easy-to-implement tips would you recommend for a healthier home?