The Curse: Constant sneezing and wheezing
The Culprit: Cleaning sprays
According to Spanish researchers, these chemical-laden cleansers can actually increase your risk of developing asthma. Candita Clayton, author of Clean Your Home Healthy: Green Cleaning Made Easy, explains: "Inhaling the harsh chemicals can irritate your throat and lungs, causing inflammation that can lead to breathing problems."
The Cure: Go au naturel. "Use lemon juice or white vinegar to clean kitchens and bathrooms," suggests Clayton. Vinegar can be used undiluted on countertops but should be mixed with one part water for cleaning other surfaces, like glass. For more non-toxic cleaners, see our Natural Living Guide.

The Curse: Chronic low-grade headaches
The Culprit: A bad lightbulb
Lighting that's too bright or too dim can cause you to squint, creating the kind of eye strain that leads to headaches, says Mark Swan, professor of optometry at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Mich.
The Cure: "Pick up a book and read a page," Swan advises. "Then check your posture and eyes: Are you straining or leaning forward to see the words clearly? If so, you need to buy a different strength bulb."

The Curse: Fatigue, skin rashes, breathing problems
The Culprit: New carpeting
The padding under it, and sometimes the individual carpet fibers themselves -- which can be made of plastic and other synthetics, and are sometimes treated with fire-retardant chemicals -- can release a toxic mix into the air.
The Cure: Opt for plain wood flooring or choose a variety of natural-fiber area rugs. And if you're already stuck with wall-to-wall shag, you can vastly improve air quality by opening windows on a regular basis, and by filling your home with plants. "Ficuses, spider plants and English ivy are all especially good at sucking up pollutants and releasing health-boosting oxygen," says Clayton.

The Curse: Intestinal distress, bacterial infections
The Culprit: The kitchen counters
They're the germiest spot in your home, even trumping your toilet seat! "When you prepare raw meat and produce, bacteria ends up all over these surfaces," explains Kelly Reynolds, Ph.D., professor at the University of Arizona's College of Public Health. "And if you clean the areas with a sponge, you're not eliminating bacteria -- you're simply spreading it around."
The Cure: Nuke your sponge regularly. University of Florida researchers found that microwaving a sponge for two minutes killed 99 percent of germs and bacteria, including E. coli. (Just be sure your sponge doesn't contain any metal and, prior to nuking, make sure it's wet -- not dry.) Better yet, suggests Reynolds, ditch the sponge and clean with paper towels instead -- since you're using them once and tossing, there's no chance for bacteria to accumulate.

Next page: Got watery eyes, wacky hormones or extreme fatigue?