» "Home, asthma-free home "NEW!

"Asthma is a serious, sometimes life-threatening chronic respiratory disease. It affects almost 25 million Americans, including roughly seven million children. "

» "Ready, set, clean "

"Set the timer (on your oven or cell phone) for five or 10 minutes. Then, see how much house cleaning you can get done in a few minutes. You might need to run to the living room and then run to your bedroom to put things away. "

» A little organization can save lots of time

The entryway or the door from your home into the garage is a great place to start organizing. Simple ideas that can save time and keep you from looking for things at the last minute include:

» Achoo! Dealing with allergies

"Although it is impossible to avoid triggers that cause seasonal allergies altogether, there are ways to help minimize issues. Do a thorough spring cleaning. Delay early morning outdoor activities. Know your local pollen count. "

» After the last cough or sniffle

"You may not be sick or contagious anymore, but your germs from two days prior (when you were sick) could still be alive. Germs can live on objects for up to 48 hours, depending on the germ and its environment. "

» Air freshener

"To clear stubborn odors in your microwave, fill a microwave-safe bowl half full of water and add a handful of chopped lemon or lime rind or a tablespoon of vanilla extract. Heat the water until it boils. "

» Back to school -- A heads-up for everyone

"Although many people believe that being dirty causes head lice, the reality is that anyone can get head lice because they are so highly contagious. Make sure that your children know not to share their combs, brushes, or hair decorations. "

» Bacteria and cutting boards

Which harbors more harmful bacteria - plastic or wood cutting boards?

» Bless this mess - Cut your cleaning time in half

"We live in a culture focused on neatness and organization, but being a little messy may actually be good for you. Super neat people must constantly work at staying in control. "

» Chaos and clutter

Try this if you don't know where to start when it comes to organizing your life: Imagine you have just 30 minutes to get out of your house in an emergency.

» Clutter - A fun way to get kids to tidy up UPDATED!

"Instead of nagging kids to pick up their junk, try this: Tell them that every time someone leaves an item out of its place (backpacks, sneakers, cereal bowls, purses, whatever) the item will be tagged and the culprit will have to pay a cash penalty. "

» Easy ways to simplify your life

Check off your favorite ways to simplify your life: Think carefully about the choices you make. Do only one thing at a time. Wait 24 hours before you make unplanned purchases. Keep only the things that you really love.

» Eco-exercise

"Eco-exercise is a variation of whatever physical activity you happen to be doing at the time - whether it's running, walking, hiking, kayaking, etc. While doing your activity, you also collect litter you find along the way. "

» Germ fighting tips that may surprise you

"Take your shoes off and put them on a rack or in a closet nearest the door where you enter the house. Germs, allergens, and other contaminants collect on shoes and can be tracked throughout your house. "

» Grandma's cleaning tips

"To stop red wine stains, saturate the stain with club soda or a mixture of baking soda and water after you have blotted up as much wine as possible. "

» Handwashing Awareness

"Teach your kids not to put their fingers in their eyes, nose, or mouth and wash their hands with soap and hot water several times a day, and always after using the bathroom and before eating. "

» Indoor air -- How to keep mold out of your home

"Exposure to mold can trigger allergies and asthma, irritate eyes and skin, and possibly lead to more serious reactions. To keep mold in check: Avoid humidifiers if possible, because they promote mold growth. "

» Indoor allergies

"Wash bed linens in 130 degree F water at least once a week to kill dust mites, one of the most common triggers of indoor allergies and asthma attacks. Washable mattress and pillow covers also help control dust mites. "

» Pregnancy & safe cleaning

Open windows or turn on a fan to keep the area well-ventilated. Make sure there are no warnings for use by pregnant women on cleaning products.

» Say no to flu with clean hands

"Next to getting a flu shot, the best thing you can do to ward off the flu virus is to wash your hands several times a day. Use hot water and regular (not antibacterial) soap. "

» Staying healthy at the gym

"Before you start your new year's weight-training or yoga class, remember that germs can thrive on exercise equipment in moist, sweaty environments. "

» Stop germs in the office

Clean the items in your workspace every day with a disinfectant wipe containing bleach or a soft cloth soaked in alcohol or a mild soap solution.

» Stop the spread of germs when someone in your house is ill

Set up a mini quarantine or invisible wall around the sick person's room. Use bleach and hot water in the laundry (color-safe bleach for dark items).

» Sweat

"Sweat has no odor itself, but when it is combined with naturally occurring bacteria on the body, it's time to take a shower and break out the deodorant. Sweat is made up of much more than water. "

» Thumbs up on handwashing

"Most people don't do as good a job as they think -- or should. We tend to not thoroughly clean our thumbs, fingertips, and the areas between our fingers. Up to half of all men and a quarter of women do not wash their hands after they use the bathroom"

» Towels: easy exercise tools

"Next time you're finished drying dishes, here's an easy exercise to do with that towel in your hand: 1. Stand with your feel shoulder width apart. 2. Hold the towel in both hands, pulling the ends tight. "

» Wring your hands clean to keep healthy

Raising hand-washing awareness: When should you wash your hands? Always err on the side of caution and wash rather than not. Keeping hands clean is one of the best ways to stop the spread of germs and stay healthy.