To beat the heat and keep allergies at bay, we often seal ourselves inside our comfy, climate-controlled homes, not realizing that the air in there may not be much better. According to the EPA, indoor air pollution levels are typically at least twice as high as levels outside.

While closing doors and windows limits the amount of dust and pollen wafting in from outside, it can also seal in biological irritants and hazardous chemicals from household products and furnishings. A study in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that controlling indoor allergens could cut childhood asthma cases by about 65 percent. Other contaminants have been linked to dizziness, nausea, developmental disorders, even cancer.

We spend about 90 percent of our time indoors, so eliminating the most egregious and common culprits is a good idea. Follow these easy solutions to give your home a breath of fresh air.