Having a happy home has a lot to do with having a healthy eco-friendly indoor living area. Your home shouldn’t just be pretty, it should be a place that keeps you as healthy as possible. We spend about 90% of our time indoors, which means that you are continuously exposed to your home’s air and overall environment. If your home is negatively affecting your health, it can have wide-ranging repercussions. Whether this is mental or physical health, there are a few key ways that you can make your home a healthier place for you, your family and the earth.
1. Get the dust under control
House dust isn’t just unpleasant to look at, it can also wreak havoc on your health. House dust can also contain microscopic particles of hazardous chemicals like lead, pesticides, or fire retardants. Even if these chemicals haven’t been used in your home in years, they can continue to live on in dust particles hiding around your home. These particles can cause allergic reactions, skin irritations, and eye irritation.
To avoid these issues, vacuum twice a week with a powerful, HEPA filtered vacuum cleaner and regularly clean your vacuum cleaner. When emptying the vacuum cleaner, make sure to remove the bag from the home to prevent the reintroduction of the dust. Also ensure that your vacuum cleaner is an energy saving product.
2. Reduce unpleasant odors
Bad smells don’t just make you wrinkle your nose, they can also negatively affect your mood. We may love our pets but they can contribute quite the panoply of unpleasant smells to our homes. From wet dog stink, to litter boxes, to urine, pets can wreak havoc on a pleasant smelling home. Stay on top of bad odors by cleaning on a regular basis and laundering pet bedding weekly. Drying any affected fabric in the bright sun for a day does wonders for killing bad smells, and urine odor removal (while tricky) can be done with a bit of tenacity and elbow grease.
3. Remove clutter
Clutter makes our homes look unloved and makes it hard to find things, but did you know it can also contribute to depression and anxiety? Decluttering your home on a regular basis can help you feel calmer and more focused and will make your home easier to clean. It is also a great way to focus on minimalism and to learn to spend less money on things you don’t need.
The things that you don’t need, you can donate it and recycle it.
4. Get your home tested
Radon cannot be seen or smelled, but it can cause serious health problems. If you have a home with a finished basement, getting it radon tested can be the best thing you do. Radon has been found in homes all across the United States and is the second-leading contributing factor to lung cancer. Radon tests are simple and affordable and will help make your home a healthier and safer place.
5. Take your smoking outside (or quit)
It’s estimated that 40% of children are exposed to secondhand smoke in their homes, contributing to asthma and other health issues. Not only has smoking been proven to be extremely dangerous and detrimental to your health and the health of those around you, it also does a number on your home! Nicotine will stain walls and seep into upholstery, making it impossible to get clean again. By stepping outside to smoke (or preferably quitting entirely) you will immediately remove one of the most damaging things in your house.
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