Live & Manage
Healthy Home
Your home is the environment you control most. Cleaning, mould, dust, renovations and furnishings all shape its air. Small, steady choices keep exposure low and the whole household healthier.
The home you control
Source control comes first
Because we spend so much of our time indoors, the home has an outsized effect on health. The most effective approach is source control: prevent exposures at the source by choosing fragrance-free, lowest-emission and least-toxic options, rather than trying to clear chemicals from the air after they are released.
Ventilation, moisture control and careful material choices do the rest. Together they reduce VOCs, mould and dust, the three things that most often affect indoor air for people with MCS.
Clean without the chemical load
Safer cleaning
Effective cleaning does not require harsh, heavily fragranced products. Choose fragrance-free, lowest-emission and least-toxic options, avoid aerosols and sprays in spaces the sensitive person uses, and ventilate well afterwards. A few simple staples cover most jobs.
| Cleaning job | Common concern | Safer approach |
|---|---|---|
| All-purpose cleaning | Scented sprays and strong solvents | Fragrance-free, least-toxic cleaner; wipe rather than spray where possible |
| Disinfecting | Bleach and ammonia fumes; never mix them | Use the gentlest effective option, ventilate, and keep the sensitive person out until aired |
| Air "freshening" | Plug-ins, sprays and scented candles add chemicals | Open windows and remove odour sources instead of masking them |
| Floors and surfaces | Fragranced, high-VOC products | Fragrance-free products and microfibre cloths; let surfaces dry and air out |
| Laundry | Fabric softener and scented detergent linger on fabric | Fragrance-free detergent; skip softener and scented dryer sheets |
Clean ahead of time, not during
Where possible, clean well before the sensitive person uses a room, and let products fully dry and off-gas before the space is occupied again.
Two everyday essentials
Mould, dust and clean air
Mould thrives on moisture, so prevention is mostly about keeping things dry: fix leaks promptly, ventilate bathrooms and kitchens, and address damp areas quickly. Small surface patches can sometimes be cleaned carefully, but larger or recurring growth needs professional help and a fix to the underlying moisture source.
Dust holds many of the chemicals that settle out of indoor air. Reduce it by damp-dusting, vacuuming with a HEPA filter, decluttering surfaces, and keeping fragranced products out of the home. Regular airing and, where helpful, a HEPA and carbon air filter support cleaner indoor air.
Where you rest
A safer bedroom
You spend about a third of your life in the bedroom, so it is one of the most valuable rooms to get right. The goal is a calm, low-emission space that lets your body recover.
Natural fibres
Choose organic cotton or linen bedding and avoid synthetic, off-gassing fabrics.
Fragrance-free
Keep scented laundry products, sprays and plug-ins out of the room entirely.
Air it daily
Open windows regularly to keep the air fresh and reduce any build-up of emissions.
Low-VOC furnishings
Favour solid wood and air out any new items before bringing them into the room.
Bigger projects
Renovations and furniture
New materials and furnishings are among the strongest sources of indoor emissions when first installed. Plan ahead, choose low-emission materials, and give everything time to off-gas before the space is lived in.
| Material or item | Why it is a concern | Healthier choice |
|---|---|---|
| Paint and finishes | Release VOCs as they cure | Lowest-VOC or zero-VOC products; ventilate well and allow full curing |
| Pressed-wood furniture | Can release formaldehyde from adhesives | Solid wood, or pieces certified for low emissions |
| Flooring and carpet | New carpet and adhesives off-gas | Hard flooring where possible; air out new materials before installing |
| Upholstery and textiles | Synthetic fabrics and treatments off-gas | Natural fibres and untreated materials |
| New items in general | Emissions are highest when brand new | Unpack and air out in a garage or spare space before bringing indoors |
Plan around the sensitive person
Schedule renovation work when the person with MCS can be elsewhere, ventilate continuously, and wait until materials have fully off-gassed before they return.
Stay on top of it
Seasonal cleaning schedules
A simple seasonal routine keeps dust, moisture and clutter from building up. These schedules are tailored for renters and for homeowners.
Keep going
More from Live & Manage
Building a healthier home?
ASEQ-EHAQ supports people with MCS and their families with information, resources and practical guidance for healthier living spaces.
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