We spend 65 per cent of our lives at home and like to think of our home whether it be a bedsit or a mansion as a pure, safe haven from the polluted outside world.

The reality is that our homes, offices and places of work actually contain more pollution than a street corner or busy roadside.

Now I'm "Imperfectly Natural" and don't get everything right, so I don't want to scaremonger you into feeling you need to move house. But we should be aware of some of the potential problems and health hazards that are associated with modern living.

There are many eco warriors around including some government officials who are coercing us and even taxing us into making changes for the good of the planet and that's all fine, but I say let's look first at how our personal environment or our living space is affecting our health and wellbeing.

Once we're aware, we as individuals can make a few often very simple changes and the great news is that there are so many alternatives now available it is possible to counter some of the hazards. The interesting thing is that often this is executed by going a bit "old style". Usually the end result is that you'll find that, in setting out to find alternatives or live more simply in order to save money and resources and ensure your continuing health and wellbeing, you'll also be able to tick a box that says "going green". This is because you'll undoubtedly find that "reduce, reuse and recycle" has become your motto, along with minimising the amount of potentially toxic chemicals in your body and in your home.

Because of the low level exposure to synthetic potentially toxic chemicals found in our carpets, walls, furniture and furnishings we are more prone to chronic symptoms such as headaches, insomnia, fatigue and allergies and most of us just think it's normal. Interestingly, when you do something to reduce the pollutants around your home you often find an increased energy and sense of well-being.

We can reduce our exposure to pesticides by eating locally sourced organic fruit and veg and drinking filtered water and if we need to ward off insects and moths, there are much more natural repellents widely available.

Cleaning and laundry products are a considerable proportion of the average person's weekly shopping bill, and this is one area where it is easy to save money, your health and, as a by-product, you'll save the environment, too, by replacing your cleaning products with natural alternatives such as soapnuts and laundry balls.

When it comes to personal care the excellent news is that there is now a synthetic chemical-free alternative to almost everything you could wish to use from nail varnish to baby-wipes.

Of course, I'm not saying that any one carpet, any one bottle of detergent or moisturising cream is going to make you ill, but I do believe that the cumulative effect of the masses of potentially toxic synthetic chemicals and pollutants that exist in our homes probably will over time, so let's address it now and in the process do our bit for saving the planet. Above all, remember I am "imperfect" and I'm guessing you are, too, so start with something that seems fairly easy to achieve and make any other changes from there. For the bits that just seem too daunting, well, move on. It's the 80/20 principle that's important. If you can reduce chemicals and pollutants by 80 per cent, you'll be doing great.

Janey Lee Grace is the author of Imperfectly Natural Home. She is also the author of the number one bestseller Imperfectly Natural Woman and Imperfectly Natural Baby and Toddler. She has a website at www.imperfectlynatural.com and is often featured on BBC Radio 2.


Janey's top tips


Replace your cleaning equipment over time with eco friendly versions.

Go old style with white vinegar and bicarbonate of soda and seek out products with plant-based surfactants such as Ecover and Natural House (www.natural-house.co.uk) and Living Clean (www.livingclean.co.uk)

Don't buy any more expensive laundry detergent. Invest in some laundry balls. Ecoballs from health shops cost about £32 but guarantee at least 1,000 washes and a huge bag of soapnuts will cost about £5 from www.inasoapnutshell.com

Instead of fabric softener (which won't be needed as clothes washed naturally retain their colour and softness) put a couple of drops of essential oil in that compartment.

If you love fragrant clothes, try the luxurious Ironing Water from Homescents (www.homescents.co.uk)

Forget expensive body butters and moisturisers, the cheapest and best is Coconut oil (yes, you can eat it, too!). My favourite is the fairly traded Coconoil, ww.coconoil.com but you can buy it in most Asian food stores.

Get into DIY beauty, make your own face packs using mashed papaya, avocado or strawberries. The best exfoliater is oatmeal with a little water.

Choose houseplants to help neutralise the effects of pollutants; have one for every bit of electrical equipment. Peace lilies and spider plants work well.

Before you go to the doctor or pharmacist for minor complaints such as coughs and sore throats, look in your kitchen cupboard first, often honey and lemon will do the job.

Decline excess packaging, take reusable bags and recycle as much as you can. Make use of local initiatives such as Freecycle for unwanted items and before you replace old with new.

Adopt an attitude of living more simply, it will make you feel rich.