Your home is a haven… but it could make you sick. Most pollutants are invisible to the naked eye and they can have a serious effect on your well-being.
This may sound scary, but there are some great ways to turn your home into the healthy home you’ve been looking for.
We’ve got some simple ideas for a clean and healthy home. If you’re interested in making some much-needed changes, keep reading to learn more.
11 Tips For a Healthy Home
Many of these suggestions are simple and affordable. By incorporating these tips, you can make the change to a cleaner living area.
What have you done so far from this list that benefits your home?
1. Use Filters
Install a whole-house filter to purify your water or attach a portable one to the faucet. If your fridge has a water dispenser, be sure to change it every six months.
Don’t forget about your furnace filter. Got a dust allergy or pets? Change it more often than the recommended three months.
2. Open Up
Open your windows for some fresh air (unless you suffer during allergy season). The air in your house can be five times dirtier than outside.
3. Watch Out for Harmful Chemicals
Harmful fragrances are in everything from cleaning agents to cosmetics. Consider switching to more natural products.
Check your products for words such as:
- fragrance
- perfume
- parabens
- phthalates
- triclosan
If your products have any of these ingredients, ditch them and go for greener alternatives.
4. Steer Clear of VOCs
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), are hiding in paint, stains, and furniture. They can emit fumes for as long as five years. Choose “Low VOC” or “No VOC” options for home improvement products.
Buying new furniture? Opt for real wood instead of pressed or composite wood.
5. Say No to BPA
Bisphenol A is a harmful substance found in plastics like water bottles and lunch containers. Many products are BPA-free, but be sure to double-check. Better yet, switch to glass for your food storage.
6. Close Up Holes
Check your home for cracks and holes that can let vermin in. Stuff a large exterior hole with steel wool to keep rodents away. Fill small cracks and holes with caulk.
7. Keep Detectors in Working Order
Install a smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector on every level of your home, including the basement.
There should be a smoke detector right outside of sleeping areas. Make sure to check the batteries once a month.
8. Sanitize Frequently Touched Items
Frequently handled items sometimes carry more bacteria than a toilet seat. Regularly sanitize remotes, video game controllers, computer keyboards and mice, and smartphones. While you’re at it, hit the doorknobs and light switches too.
9. Dehumidify
Prevent mold by running the bathroom fan for twenty minutes after you shower. Invest in a portable dehumidifier if you have a damp basement.
10. Vacuum Regularly
Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to get rid of dust and toxins that can cause allergies and asthma. Don’t forget to vacuum your mattresses and furniture.
11. Go Green – Literally
Bring in live plants to help cleanse the air. Consider spider plants, philodendrons, and snake plants. If you have pets, make sure they aren’t toxic for them.
Learn More About Having a Healthy Home
Having a healthy home is more than just how you live – its how you care for your belongings and your space.
Are you doing everything you can to have a healthy home? If not, you can use these tips to create the space you want.