Smell has a powerful way of affecting the way we think and feel. Not only does it associate itself with our best and worst memories, but it literally has the power to make you sick. You would think that someone who loves the outdoors as much as I do would be immune to all allergens, but my son and I suffer with some pretty ratchet allergies. Even the smells of food cooking can trigger a reaction in us. For me, it's important that I use things in my home that improve both the air quality and the environment. So, if you have issues with breathing or allergies, here are 3 things that I include in my home that really help me:

1. An Air Purifier I live in an older rental home and I'll be honest-we haven't had the vents cleaned in FOREVER. Automatically, we have issues with dust, and since dust contains all sorts of allergens I knew that an air purifier would be a must in this house. An air purifier or air cleaner is a device which removes contaminants from the air in a room to improve its air quality. A good air purifier should be powerful enough to suck up what it needs to and affordable enough to have more than one in your home (look to see which models clean the most square footage). The one I use in my home ionizes air particles to attract dust to the filters. Bad things go into the filters, leaving good, clean air outside. Make sure when you're shopping for one you choose a model that's energy star rated, ensuring that your air purifier minimizes its impact on the environment.

2. A House Plant There's another reason that it's okay to become a plant lady. Turns out plants can be good for your health. Indoor plants can help to remove contaminants like formaldehyde, benzene and carbon monoxide from the air. My grandma swore by houseplants and my family has had an English Ivy growing in water for more than 3 years. If nothing else, a plant's ability to add oxygen to its environment is definitely a plus. For a full list of NASA-approved plants that can improve the air quality of your home, click here.

3. Clean Candles and Sprays I love me a good-smelling candle and for a while I was burning any candle that looked 'pretty'. But I noticed a change in my breathing. Turns out that standard candles are made with materials that could be releasing carcinogens into your home. Instead of using candles with paraffin wax and artificial scents, trying using an aromatherapy candle made with essential oils and 100% soy wax. Our Restore Your Home Candles use natural scents to provide a great smell that relaxes your body, while using materials that have a cleaner burn. Add our Restore Your Home Room & Linen Spray to your arsenal for a natural way to immediately eliminate stubborn, irritating scents.

This list is not exhaustive. There are so many things we could be doing, including changing our air filters and regularly washing our linens. Are there things that you're using to improve the air quality in your home? Let us know in the comments below.