Magdalena Roze: "This is what I've become conscious about during both of my pregnancies."

As a mum, ensuring that I create a healthy home for my family is a priority for me – particularly with another little one on the way. I’ve become so much more conscious about this during both of my pregnancies. It’s amazing how that mother’s instinct kicks in.

Through my work as a meteorologist and having written a chapter about it in my book, something that I was always also interested in is air quality. But it wasn’t until recently (the first few months of my current pregnancy, my sinuses have been a lot more sensitive so I was sneezing a lot) that I realised the impact indoor air pollution can really have. My family and I spend a lot of time in the kitchen so I’ve become more interested in the air quality when cooking with gas.

There is a lot more in the air than people realise for example, chemicals from fresh paint, odours released from cooking and heating, pollen from flowers, dust, mould, pet hair… the list goes on. Once you start looking into it, it can be quite overwhelming and there are certain things we simply can’t avoid in the home, so I just focus on a few things.

Here are some of my tips that any Aussie family can take to help create a clean home environment for our young ones:

1. Use natural cleaning products.

I try and use cleaning products that are as natural as possible, because I think they’re safer for the environment and my family. But trying to overhaul the cleaning cupboard can sometimes be overwhelming.

So as a first step, I start with the basics and the cleaning products I most use like all-purpose spray. I think that replacing these types of products with a non-toxic or even homemade version (you can use water, baking soda, vinegar, dish soap and essential oils) can be safer than some conventional options out there.

2. Avoid air freshener.

Air fresheners tend to mask smells, but I think some can actually make the air quality in your home worse.

3. Combat your home’s indoor air pollution.

Simply opening a window won’t necessarily clean the air in your home (almost three quarters of Aussies in a recent Dyson survey thought it would) – as it can let the outdoor air pollution in. Because some fumes are inevitable – we have a gas cooker, I think that my Dyson Pure Hot+Cool Link purifier heater is one of the best ways to tackle many of the potential pollutants and allergens lurking in the home.

4. Keep on top of your rubbish.

Sort rubbish properly into compost, recyclable materials and general waste – and removing it from the home daily if possible.

5. Do a digital detox.

A digital detox is great for the body, mind and soul. I recommend minimising phones, computers and TVs in the bedroom and turning off appliances if you’re not using them.

What tips do you follow to maintain a healthy home? Tell us in the comments section below.