Before you spray more room freshener, know this: Keeping things smelling fresh and clean may be one of the biggest causes of asthma. The American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine is out with “one of the world’s largest studies of lung disease.” Some scientists believe that breathing problems might be linked closely with air fresheners and cleaning sprays. The study notes that asthma rates have been rising fast since the 1970’s, while sales of air freshener and cleaning spray have also gone up by more than 60%.

So instead of masking odors with chemicals – clean the air by getting some plants. A spider plant – or a snake plant – can filter out bad smells and airborne chemicals. Or make your own room freshener by soaking orange peels in water and spritzing the room.