Creating a Healthier Home Environment

Photo via Pixabay by Skitterphoto

The following article is a guest post written by Neil Stawski…

How Your Home Could Be Making You Sick, and How to Change It

Our homes are the places we go to find comfort, the places that make us feel safest and happiest. However, there are many things about your home that can be unhealthy, from mold lurking in the bathroom to dust mites in the carpet, and it’s important to understand all the ways they can affect you and your family. The air quality in your home is a major factor in how you feel, so think of the best ways you can make some improvements to keep everyone breathing easy.

There are several places you can start. Your HVAC system is a great one since it carries air to just about every part of your house. Make sure the filter is clean and replaced often, especially during the hottest and coldest months.

It’s also important to make sure there’s no excess of moisture in the bathrooms or basement, where pipes are most likely to leak or create condensation. If you need help learning how to properly maintain your HVAC system, there are plenty of resources available online to point you in the right direction.

Keep reading for some great tips on how to make your home healthier.

Open the Windows
In most states, the outdoor air quality can be better than indoor for much of the year. So, throw open the windows and get some fresh air into the rooms inside your home on nice days. Even if it’s only for 10 or 15 minutes, doing so can significantly improve the air quality, and opening the blinds or curtains to let in the sunlight can even help to lower your utility bills. Using solar energy is a great way to go green. Just keep in mind, however, that many states have a high pollen count in the spring and summer, so leaving your windows open during these seasons can actually be detrimental to the air quality inside your home.

Your Pets May Be the Culprit
As much as we all love our pets, it’s important to remember that their fur and dander can create some problems in the house, especially if they lay on the furniture or if you have carpeting. In order to keep everyone healthy, clean the carpet often using a vacuum with a HEPA filter, or consider ripping up the carpet altogether and putting in tile, hardwood, or laminate. You should also do what you can to keep them off the furniture; if they do it while you’re not home, lay down an old towel or sheet in their favorite spot to keep their fur from getting on the upholstery.

Go Green
Going green is about more than just recycling; it can benefit your family greatly to use sustainable materials, to reduce and reuse, and to go for natural cleaners rather than chemicals that can contribute to poor air quality. You can use baking soda, hot water, lemons, and vinegar to clean just about anything naturally and prevent any issues for your family’s breathing, or you can use pre-made all-natural products that are eco-friendly.

Consider an Air Purifier
Air purifiers are wonderful tools when you want to improve the air quality of your home, especially if you or a family member are a smoker or if you want to remove odors from air fresheners or paints. The type of filter you need will vary according to what you want to cleanse from the air, so do some research to find the best one for your needs.

When it comes to making sure your home is healthy for you and your family, it’s important to keep in mind that allergens and pollutants can linger. However, by following these tips, you can make sure that you and your family stay safe and happy.

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