Avoid your home's hidden health threats: from chemicals in your bedsheets to dangerous germs in your dishcloth, health threats abound in your home. But you don't have to live with them. Create a safe haven with our 22 tips - Consumer guide: how to be an educated consumer

Natural Health, Sept, 2003 by Theresa Anne Morin

Organic Cotton Knit Sheet Set

These jersey knit sheets feature organic cotton and are not treated with chlorine bleach, chemical softeners, or synthetic dyes that can irritate skin. They're available in natural, smoky violet, or apple green ($90 for queen sheet set; 800-869-3603; www.gaiam.com).

Holy Smokes! Firestarters

Made from wood fiber and recycled church candles, these sticks will get your fire going without the toxic chemicals released when you burn newspapers. One package starts more than 30 fires ($16 for two packages; 800-762-7325; www.realgoods.com).

Terry Floor Mop

This multipurpose mop comes with two washable cotton terry covers that can be used dry to sweep up dust and wet to wash floors. The long handle and swivel head help you get at hard-to-reach areas. Use this in place of disposable floor sweepers sold with chemical cleaning solutions ($20; 800-869-3603; www.gaiam.com).

Hemp Shower Curtain

You won't need a separate vinyl liner with this long-lasting, machine-washable curtain. That's good news, since vinyl outgases toxic chemicals that can cause a range of health problems ($99; 800-869-3603; www.gaiam.com).

--Julia Tolliver Maranan

Consider This

Freshen Your Air, Naturally

When a room smells less-than-pleasant, you may be tempted to reach for a conventional air freshener spray. Stop yourself; these products contain a host of potentially harmful chemicals, like petroleum distillates, which irritate your lungs. Safer solutions are right under your nose.

Open a Window. There's nothing like fresh air to freshen your air. Open two windows or a door and window. Cross ventilation is the most effective way to reduce indoor air pollution.

Sweeten Your Garbage. Empty your garbage and clean the trash can weekly To maintain freshness, sprinkle 1/2 cup borax in the bottom of the can. This kills odor-producing bacteria and mold.

Make a Mist. Mix 1 cup distilled water and 5 to 7 drops of your favorite essential oil in a spray bottle. Shake well and mist the air as needed. For really tough odors, healthy home expert Casey Kellar recommends that you blend 1 cup vodka with 20 drops of vanilla (Vanilla tahitensis) or pineapple (Ananas cosmosus) essential oil in a spray bottle. Shake well and spray as needed.

Getting Started

A Primer on Safe Paint

Painting ranks as one of the most toxic home improvement projects. Oil-based paints have been banned in several states because they contain volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), known to alter your nervous system and cause liver and kidney damage. These chemicals leach into the air until the paint dries completely, which can take up to a month. But it's easy to find high-quality paints that contain lower levels of VOCs, says healthy home expert Debra Lynn Dadd. Here are your options.

Water-Based Latex Paints: They contain smaller amounts of VOCs than oil-based paints. They're safe if you follow the precautions on the label, which suggest ventilating your work area. After this paint dries, usually within a day, it stops outgassing. You can find it at any store that sells paint.