If a room smells funny or has a strong odor, don't reach for scented candles, room sprays or plug-in air fresheners. Most fragrance products for rooms contain artificial scents and chemical phthalates that can be unhealthy to breathe in over time. The best smell is no smell at all, so try to find the source of the odor and remove it. Products like steam mops with nozzle attachments can help blast away dirt, grime and other debris and rid the room of any smells. If the room has a damp smell, try filling up a small bucket with rock salt (the stuff to de-ice driveways) and place it inside a larger bucket. It will draw in moisture over time and dehumidify the space naturally.

If you're renovating or redecorating a room, think about omitting wall-to-wall carpet, especially if the space is damp. Since damp carpet can be a breeding ground for mold and mildew, wall-to-wall carpet can make it impossible to clean if it's growing underneath the padding. Instead, opt for hardwood or tile floors, which can be softened by the addition of area rugs and modular carpet tiles.

If you think you have mold, don't reach for chlorine bleach. Yes, bleach will kill virtually every kind of mold it comes in contact with, but it only works on nonporous materials like ceramic tile and glass. It does not penetrate materials like drywall and wood, where most people have real mold issues. An alternative is to use nontoxic borax to kill mold. Borax has commonly been used as a natural insecticide, so it's highly effective at remedying other problems, like toxic mold.