The next place to look for healthier home improvement products is in your choice of carpet cleaner. After all, you’ll probably want your carpet to seem brand-spanking -new. 

According to Healthy Child Healthy World, carpet can be conducive to mold, mildew and dust mites. And choosing the wrong carpet cleaner can expose you to potentially harmful chemicals. 

There are a number of ways to limit harmful chemical exposure from carpet cleaning. The first is to use naturally healthy products to remove stains. For example, Healthy Child Healthy World says that club soda can absorb red wine stains, and an ice cube can help to firm up gum and candle wax so that you can remove these items. One-third of a cup of vinegar mixed with two-thirds of a cup of warm water can be applied to a stain. Just soak it up with a rag after blotting clean. And for a natural option to remove odors, sprinkle a little baking soda on top of your carpet and then vacuum thoroughly. 

How you steam clean carpets is also important. Healthy Child Healthy World suggests steam cleaning carpets with just water as opposed to added chemicals. The hot water is said to be helpful on its own. Combine vinegar with water as a safe option, and if you do hire a company to clean your carpets, talk to them about what chemicals they use.  

Another thing that you may want to be aware of is flame retardants in furniture. According to How Stuff Works, flame retardants are used in a number of common furniture items like mattresses and upholstery. This is a good thing in that it is a life-saving way to delay the spread of flames. However, there are also concerning chemicals associated with flame retardants. 

These chemicals are poybrominated diphenyl ethers, also known as PBDEs. Though the use of two kinds of PBDEs is said to have been phased out more than a decade ago, their “cousin” still exists. According to How Stuff Works, studies on PBDEs in rats and mice have linked these chemicals to many health issues including learning and memory problems, thyroid issues, and lowered sperm count. And some say that PBDEs may even cause cancer.