Just like how our bodies need healthy food and regular exercise to stay fit, our homes also need routine upkeep. Your home is not only a place where you spend a lot of time, but it’s also an environment that can influence your well-being. According to the National Center for Healthy Housing, a healthy home is properly maintained.
How can you make your living space healthier? Keeping your living environment clear of harmful toxins can improve how you feel mentally and physically.
Turning your home into a healthy environment is not about being extreme. Creating a healthy home does not have to feel like a chore. You do not have to sacrifice your time or your lifestyle and budget. There are many ways to create a healthy and happy home in small ways.
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Remove Dust Regularly
Cleaning your home regularly will help prevent dust build-up, which can be very harmful to your health. Dust mites trigger allergies and asthma, according to studies from the American Lung Association. By using a wet mop on an uncarpeted floor, microfiber or moist towels on furniture, and a vacuum cleaner, you can remove dust from your home with minimal agitation.
Walking on dust with your shoes can shake up allergens, so best to leave your shoes in the doorway or outside the house and put them in your shoe rack to keep the dust out of your home. Refrain from dry dusting as this will only
Put More Plants
Houseplants are nature’s way of beautifying any room. There are several benefits of indoor plants, like making our homes look fresh and inviting. They also help us accomplish tasks by improving our moods, making us feel calmer, and lowering stress.
Plants also positively affect the indoor environment by increasing humidity, absorbing carbon dioxide, and releasing oxygen. It also filters pollutants out of the air. Some indoor plants that you can include in your homes are the Heartleaf Philodendron, spider plant, and Hedgehog Aloe.
Avoid Chemical-based Products
Be kind to you and your family’s health by avoiding harsh chemical cleaners that are associated with an entire list of health problems and may aggravate asthma. Your best bet is to use natural plant-based products or soap and water. Vinegar, baking soda, and lemon are also natural cleaning substances that you can use to clean your home without harming the environment.
When shopping for cleaning supplies, you should always check the ingredients label to be sure that your product doesn’t contain any of these harmful chemicals:
- Perchloroethylene, also known as PERC, is a chemical used in dry cleaning and fabric treatment solutions.
- Ammonia is a chemical compound that makes glass shiny and new, but it can also irritate human tissue.
- Chlorine is a chemical used to clean swimming pool water. It is also found in household cleaning products, such as laundry whiteners, toilet bowl cleaners, and mildew removers. Exposure to chlorine can cause skin irritation and thyroid dysfunction.
- Formaldehyde is in some heavy-duty cleaners. This chemical may be connected to the onset of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a rare and fatal disease that causes patients to lose motor function and tissue degeneration.
Be Mindful of What You Buy
Don’t let chemical toxins invade your home. Look for non-toxic alternatives, like BPA-free plastic products, recycled paper products (and other materials) that contain no chemicals linked to health problems.
Look for organic cotton and hemp fabrics that are grown without pesticides. And clothing that is certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). While it’s possible to find non-toxic and environmentally friendly products, it can be difficult. At the very least, avoid garden and cleaning products that might release harmful gases or fumes.
Create Clean Energy
The use of non-renewable energy resources can contribute to the deterioration of our environment. These resources, such as oil and coal, create an abundance of pollutants.
The continuance of non-renewable resources will eventually lead to this running dry. Therefore, the sooner we fully embrace renewable resources, the better it will be for us and the environment.
One way to help get rid of air pollution and create clean energy in your homes is to install solar panels. When you install solar panels on your roof, it produces clean solar energy that can be used to power your daily life and reduce your collective dependence on fossil fuel. Reputable solar companies will help you with every step of the way, from designing a system that fits your roofline design to making sure your property generates sufficient solar energy.
Each living space is different, and there are some aspects you can’t control—how and when your house was built and what kinds of materials were used. But there are a few easy tweaks you can make that will help improve the health of your home.