On average, Americans spend about 90% of their time indoors. Out of that 90%, about 65% of that is spent at home. Indoor air pollution, together with household allergens, is one of the leading causes of health problems in the United States. Some everyday products and activities can make your home sick. With a few easy changes and improved practices, Americans can immediately manage the quality of air in Del Mar Heights homes.

Pay attention to what vacuum cleaners promise. Putting in a good vacuum cleaner can spell all the difference. Many vacuums not only provide sub-par performance but can also do more harm than good. Look for a machine that traps dust and does not blow it back into the air.

Select your air purifiers carefully. Air purifiers that do not need filters generate ozone, a gas that can cause health problems and affect our lungs and respiratory system. Often you can smell the ozone. Purifiers with efficient air particle filters, on the other hand, are the best option given they remove at least 99.97% of airborne particles in Del Mar Heights homes.

Don't just kill mold, remove it. Since mold causes allergies, part of getting rid of household allergens is to get rid of mold and fix the water problems that are causing mold to grow. Applying bleach or other biocides to mold may actually induce the mold to produce toxins as part of its last fight to survive. Instead, soap, water and hydrogen peroxide can be used in cleaning the affected area. The Environmental Protection Agency states that dead mold may still cause allergic reactions in some people, so for a healthy home, it is not enough to kill mold, it must also be removed.

Be as scent-free as you can be. Unplug air-fresheners, wash cloths in non-fragrant laundry soap and minimize the use of perfume. According to the United States Food and Drug Administration, more than 70% of allergy sufferers develop respiratory symptoms when exposed to perfume.

Cleaning supplies can sometimes increase allergen levels in Del Mar Heights homes. Reading the label to identify hazardous chemicals is important when looking for cleaning supplies. If ingredients are not on the label, do not purchase it. Avoid cleaning products that say flammable, active ingredients, and contain alcohol as these airborne particles can ultimately affect our health. A healthy cleaning product will always list all its ingredients.