Your house is supposed to be a safe retreat from the dangers of the outside world. Unfortunately, many homes are actually unhealthy to live in (without the homeowner knowing it). You want to make sure this isn’t the case with your house.
Most people believe that their homes are fairly clean. They wipe down counters every few days, vacuum a couple of times per month, change sheets, occasionally clean bathrooms, and take all of the other customary steps to maintain a clean house. Unfortunately, this isn’t enough. In order to have a home that’s truly healthy, you must do the following:
According to research, over 150 chemicals found in the average home have been linked to birth defects, allergies, cancer, and psychological abnormalities. And while it’s not realistic to remove every last toxin from your home, you can start by ridding your house of the obvious sources (as well as the not-so-obvious ones, like carpet).
“Wall-to-wall carpets feel good underfoot, but they’re bad,” Katherine Martinko writes for TreeHugger. “Made of petroleum byproducts and synthetics such as polypropylene, nylon, and acrylic, they are usually treated with stain repellents, antistatic sprays, artificial dyes, antimicrobial treatments, and other finishes. The backing is often vinyl or synthetic latex, and the padding contains PVC or urethane. All of this means that carpets are a pretty major culprit if you’re trying to detox your home.”
Wherever you keep cleaning supplies – such as underneath the kitchen sync or in your laundry room – is another problem area. Typical cleaning products contain dozens of harmful ingredients that are linked to a variety of health problems including many cancers. These should be tossed in the trash as quickly as possible.
In place of toxic cleaning products with lots of chemicals, opt for natural cleaning ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, hot water, club soda, hydrogen peroxide, olive oil, salt, and plant-based essential oils.
Not only are natural ingredients safer, but they’re also much cheaper. You can make your own cleaning products that are tailored to your specific needs without breaking the bank.
Is your home a breeding ground for harmful bacteria? Believe it or not, your home’s air system could be releasing dangerous materials into the air and causing allergies and/or long-term breathing conditions. If so, a UV germicidal light may be a solid option for you and your family.
“Intense UV rays kill viruses, bacteria, yeast and mold. Installed inside your HVAC duct system, it improves the air in your entire home,” Around the Clock Heating and Air Conditioning explains.
Another option is to install a whole house air purifier, which actively works in the background to neutralize toxins and ensure your family is breathing safe and healthy air.
If you suspect that the air in your home is unsafe or toxic, you’ll need to do some further investigation. Start by popping off the grates on your air vents and use a flashlight to look inside the ductwork. If you see signs of mold, mildew, or excessive buildup, you can call in a professional to perform a more thorough inspection.
Should your ducts be contaminated, a cleaning from a certified professional can alleviate the problem and make your air supply healthy again. (You’ll also want to install a whole house air purifier to neutralize any toxins that have already entered the home.)
As much fun as it is to have a dog or cat, be wary of keeping them inside. They tend to track in toxins, allergens, bugs, and other unwanted materials that are unhealthy for you and your family. For best results, keep them outside!
A healthy house is a happy home. While you probably already have some cleaning habits and systems in place, it’s important to consider some of the hidden elements that impact the overall cleanliness of your property. By implementing a few of the habits outlined in this article, you can increase your chances of living a healthy life.