Your laundry room smells good
If your laundry routine consists of scented detergent, fabric softener, and dryer sheets to keep your clothes smelling cosy fresh, you could have a triple whammy of toxins on your hands. “These products with fragrance often contain phthalates or other harmful chemicals, which may cause health issues over time,” says Adler. Look for products with a short list of ingredients that don’t include the words “fragrance,” “perfume,” or “parfum.”
Your kitchen isn’t properly ventilated
If your stove uses gas, you could be raising the level of toxic fumes while you’re cooking without even knowing it. “Carbon monoxide, a deadly gas released from gas stoves and ovens, can quickly build up in your kitchen, especially without proper ventilation,” Adler says. “Some studies suggest that about half of all gas stoves can raise carbon monoxide to dangerous levels.” If you have an electric stove, you’re not totally in the clear either: Some research has found the simple process of cooking can create fumes as well as fine particles that affect indoor air quality. Make sure you use your hood vent (ideally vented to the outside) or open your windows to properly ventilate and avoid the dangerous gasses, Adler says.
You use plastic shower curtains
That plastic-y smell a vinyl shower curtain – or liner – is caused by volatile organic compounds (VOCs). At high enough concentrations, they can irritate your respiratory tract as well as cause long-term damage to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). “VOCs are released from a wide variety of sources in our homes: flooring, paints, cabinetry, furniture, carpeting, and even vinyl shower curtains,” Adler says. “Swapping a vinyl shower curtain with a polyester one is a simple but effective way to reduce VOCs.”
Plastic shower curtains can also harbour harmful mould and mildew. “Mildew is not necessarily black or brown or grey – it can also be the pink and orange stuff,” says Melissa Maker, founder of cleaning service Clean My Space and host of the CleanMySpace YouTube Channel. “Turn your fan on and let it run for 30 minutes after you get out of the shower.” Also, close your curtain after showering, instead of leaving it scrunched to one side, to let it dry out, Maker says. In addition, another reason to avoid plastic shower curtains is to get one that’s machine-washable.