A throw pillow can be impossible to clean, since most don't let you unzip the cover and take out the insert. If your decorative pillows need a good cleaning, try disinfecting them with all-natural borax cleaning detergent. Sprinkle the borax generously over the pillow and let it sit for at least one hour. Then use the handheld attachment on the vacuum to clean it up. Not only will this remove the surface dirt, it should also remove a significant amount of bacteria, mold and any other allergy-causing germs.

Creating a healthy indoor air environment means taking some small steps at home. In the cold winter months, some of us may open the garage door and turn on the car to warm it up. But even with the garage door open, exhaust can blow into your home and create an unhealthy environment. Instead, pull the car outside to let it warm up. Better yet, don't bother. Modern cars are designed with winter weather in mind, so turning it on and driving is enough to get the oil to circulate through the engine and have the car work efficiently.

During the cold winter months, it's best to avoid painting the walls inside your home. Since most paints have some levels of volatile organic compounds, cold weather makes it difficult to ventilate the house by opening windows. Instead, wait until the weather warms up to take on your makeover project. But if you must paint, you can look for household latex paints that are labeled "zero" VOC, not "low." Zero means it has no volatile organic compounds and won't let off gas in your house.