Learn How to Reduce Harmful Toxins in Your Home + Win a Honeywell QuietClean Tower Air Purifier
A complimentary sample was provided for review. All opinions are 100% my own.
I like to think we run a pretty clean household, and that we’re conscious about what we put into the air. We try to use cleaning supplies that are best for the environment and keep as many chemicals as possible from wandering around our home.
Unfortunately, there is no real way to 100% prevent toxins from entering the home. But don’t let them set up tents and stick around – combat them with an air purifier, like the Honeywell QuietClean Tower Air Purifier.
Before I tell you about this purifier, I want to talk about those household toxins in a little more detail. These toxins are Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), and they’re the chemicals emitted from gases from certain solids and liquids. They’re released from a wide variety of sources within the home, and they can potentially impact your health. Young children and the elderly may be particularly vulnerable to VOCs.
So what are VOCs, specifically? They’re things like formaldehyde, acetone, ethanol, xylene, and carbon disulfide, just to name a few. Check out this infographic for an easy look at where the toxins originate (make sure to click the image to view the large version):
Click to view larger.
I really had no idea about some of this stuff. I was aware of some of the more obvious toxins, like toluene (in paints), acetone (in nail polish remover), and ethanol (in detergents). But I really had no clue that I was breathing in things like formaldehyde! It’s pretty scary when you start looking at facts and figures. Instead of freaking out about it, I’m taking steps to fight it.
What can you do? Remove, replace, relocate, and purify:
Remove as many VOC sources as possible (use fewer cleaning products, or store them in a garage)
Replace typical consumer products and building materials with “green” products that generate fewer VOCs.
Relocate VOC-releasing products to areas not frequently inhabited, like garages and sheds. And, of course, don’t tackle projects with fumes inside the house, if possible (paint that furniture outside!).
To purify, think about using a carbon filtration air purifier to trap and remove indoor VOCs. This is where the Honeywell QuietClean Tower Air Purifier comes in.
I absolutely love this tower.
It has a 3-step filtration system that captures up to 99% of airborne allergens such as dust, pollen, tobacco smoke, and pet dander as small as 2 microns. We don’t have any smokers and right now there are no pets, but this is an old house with plenty of aging and dust issues and pollen is a year-round issue. I had been looking for a way to help out with my allergies without taking new medications, and this is a great way to target those allergens before they get to me.
The QuietClean Tower lives up to its name – it is super quiet. I can barely hear it running unless I’m standing really close to it. It’s ideal for medium to large rooms, and it circulates room air 5 times an hour.
Plus, good news: the main filters are permanent and washable, so you never have to spend money on replacement filters. This is one of my favorite features, really. I can’t count the number of times I’ve had a product that needed regular replacement pieces like filters, only to grumble about the cost and end up stressed out when they inevitably stop making those replacements after new models come out.
The tower is lightweight and easy to move around by virtue of its built-in, sturdy handle. It’s also easy to operate.
The control panel is easy to understand with only a few buttons: power (which also controls three fan speeds), oscillator (you control whether the tower oscillates or remains static), a light dimmer (this dims the small blue indicator lights on the panel), and a “check filters” indicator to remind you when the filters need to be washed.
I’m super happy with this air purifier. I’m already noticing a difference in allergies (my indoor allergies are as bad as my outdoor ones), so that alone is worth it for me, but I’m glad to know that I’m taking action against all the VOCs in my home, allergens or not.
To learn more about the Honeywell QuietClean Tower Air Purifier and the other purifiers in their lineup, have a look at HoneywellPluggedin.com. You can also learn more about VOCs at Honeywell’s Home Air Exposed page.
Honeywell is generously offering Game On Mom readers a chance to win a Honeywell QuietClean Tower Air Purifier! Giveaway is open to US residents who are 18 and older. Ends 1/24/16. Good luck!
-29 Comments-
I would like to cut back on some of the toxic things that get into the air like nail polish remover.
I learned that concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors.
I didn’t know what a voc was. I know that the air indoors can be worse than the outdoor air at times. Especially in the colder months when everything is closed up.
I learned that when my daughter does her nails and removes her polish she is releasing acetone into the air. Shes gonna have to do it outside for now on!
I learned that you can remove VOC’s by getting rid of the nasty chemicals found in many products and cleaning agents. I never really thought about the respiratory issues with these products. My husband does a lot of painting in our home. Never really thought out the long term effects. I will be getting something to remove the VOC’s in his workroom!
I learned what VOC’s are. I had no idea that they were Volatile chemicals emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. I also learned that they can potentially impact health, especially in young children.
We have been going through our home looking for mold, black mold. This is very dangerous and with our home having age on it, this can occur. It has serious long term effects on ones health. We would also like to have an air purifier as I am allergic to dust and pollen, and this can create quite a health issue as well.
I’d like to remove as many sources of the VOCs as possible.
Wow.. I learned that airborne chemicals come from almost everything!! Excuse me while I stop breathing lol…. yuck!
I would like to use a carbon filtered air purifier to reduce VOCs in the air in our home!
I learned simple ways to reduce VOCs in my home
I learned that Xylene is released by cars by traffic emisions or cars idling.
I never knew so many toxins were released by everyday products. I’ll shop more carefully.
I learned laundry detergents release VOCs.
I would like to remove VOCs from my asthmatic household.
I learned that my home is a toxic wasteland. 🙁 I’m freaking out! I need a Honeywell!
I have learned to remove the VOC’S IN MY HOME.
Learned, Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids.
I learned that the most common indoor VOC emission sources include consumer products, building materials, combustion processes, personal care products, attached garages, dry-cleaned clothing, and municipal tap water.
I knew VOCs were a problem, but I didn’t know that such common products as laundry detergent can be a source! Scary. Thanks for the information.
Lots of things make VOCs. I try to use natural cleaners and don’t use nail polish.
Thanks for the contest.
Something that i learned from the website was: Honeywell is the #1 Allergist recommended brand !
I learned that the Honeywell air purifier has a 3-step filtration system that captures up to 99% of airborne allergens, and there are A LOT in our homes. I would love to get one of these for our family room, my husband have bad allergies.
I learned daily household products emit VOCs especially ones like nail polish remover, hand sanitizer, and laundry detergent
I would like to reduce my VOC’s by replacing my consumer products with certified green products.
I learned if you replace consumer products with Certified green products, they generate lower VOC or no VOC.
I need to go thru my home to remove some of the items that contain VOCs. We need to open windows as much as possible. And one of these filters would be a good addition.
This looks great!
Air purifier is very important to purify the air. Now a day air are polluting more than the earlier day and we have to use a best air purifier to reduce it. In that case you can use Honeywell QuietClean Tower Air Purifier which is mentioned in this article and I’m pleased on this.