5 Places In Your Home A Toxin Expert Wants You To Clean This Summer

If you have central air, it's important to change furnace filters every couple of months throughout the summer (just as you would in the winter) since air conditioning often flows through the same ducts as heat.

Mold loves to form in warm, wet conditions—making the areas around your tub or shower susceptible during summer. Instead of using intense bleach to treat mold, I like to spray it with white vinegar as I find it works just as well (if not better in some cases!).

While bleach can brighten the area and kill the mold at the surface, it doesn't get to the roots of the issue. If you have one small patch of mold on a hard, nonporous surface like tiles or shower walls, simply pour white vinegar into a spray bottle (or remove the cap and attach a spray pump to the bottle it came in) and thoroughly spray the spot. Let it sit for an hour. Rinse the area with a damp cloth with warm water; don't soak it with water. If the spot needs scrubbing, you can make a paste of baking soda and water in a bowl and scrub with a sponge.

Indoor air can become stagnant in summer, allowing odors to linger in small spaces such as closets. Areas where you keep shoes and sports equipment can also get extra smelly during summer, when moisture levels tend to be higher. Moisture leads to bacteria growth, which can produce odor. It's important to address the odor by addressing the moisture rather than trying to cover up the scent with a spray.

Baking soda is great for this, as it absorbs moisture and helps trap odors. To clear the air, simply place an open box of baking soda in the smelly area, adding a few drops of refreshing essential oils for a little extra scent if you'd like. Shake this once a week to refresh the scent and activate the odor-absorbing qualities of the baking soda. You can also sprinkle baking soda into your shoes for a quick refresh. Let it sit for a few hours or overnight before dumping it out.

Summer is the perfect time to finally get your windows clean and let the sun in! For a homemade window cleaner, combine a 50/50 blend of distilled water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. You can also add a few drops of lemon or orange essential oil for extra scent and degreasing power.