When discussing how to create a healthy home environment, most people shift their minds to exercising, diet, and sleeping habits. It is true these aspects are important. However, they are not exactly what we refer to as a healthy home environment. We spend most of the time in our homes and around them. It is important to consider how clean it is for people to live in it and how to create a healthy home environment for your family. Is it safe for your kids or visitors? The atmosphere should be clean with fresh air filtered out of pollutants by trees and green vegetation.
Even so, achieving a healthier home does not come too easily, it takes the effort of family practices to do it. Also, you have to put in measures to create a healthy and effective home environment. Since we spend most of our time at home, this can be achieved in small efforts until you have a perfect and healthy home. Whether it is by cleaning more or removing toxic materials, it is possible to have a long-term health plan for your home. The fact is, everyone has a different living space and certain aspects are beyond your control. However, you can do a few things that will greatly impact and improve the health and safety of your home.
Are you short on ideas on how to create a healthy home environment? In this article, we will discuss several ways that you can implement to help accelerate your efforts for a better and clean, safe environment for family and friends. If you wish to make your home healthier and safer, consider these 15 tips.
Allow Fresh Air Inside Your Home
For a home to feel fresh with air, it has to be well ventilated. Always open the windows and pull back your drapes to let natural sunlight enter through them. It also allows fresh air to enter and flush out the pollution of the rooms. Based on research, if you do not let enough air inside your home, pollutants are likely to accumulate in the house and their high levels cause health complications for people living inside it. Ventilation is one of the best methods of improving the cleanliness of the air inside the home with outdoor air.
>Use Water Filters for Drinking Water
You can improve the quality of the water you drink by using water filters, especially if harvested in septic tanks. Your evaluation of the safety and cleanliness of the water could be through the local department for water. But a better way is to install water filtration systems that filter any harmful pollutants including radium, particles, and ammonia. You can also sort for water treatment to kill any germs or bacteria. Accessibility to clean water and drinking more water is impactful to the assurance of a healthy home environment.
Reduce Possibilities of Mold Growth
Despite the lack of practical ways to eliminate the growth of mold, you may take a few chances to reduce it by moderating the indoor moisture. You can do this by venting your bathrooms in the house and also using an exhaust fan during cooking and running the dishwashers or after switching on the air conditioners. Also, in the kitchen, always try to keep it dry to ensure that no moisture can accelerate the growth of molds.
Choose Cleaning Products Carefully
Several cleaning supplies have ingredients not safe for use by people. They contribute to respiratory challenges or allergic reactions after use. Some can even cause headaches. So, when purchasing household products such as cleaning detergents, be careful of the brands and ingredients they contain. Mostly, go for products with a low VOC, which is translated as a volatile organic compound. A high amount of volatile organic compounds can cause hazardous diseases. It is then suggested that if you can make your natural sprays and detergents, do it to prevent such problems from happening.
Plant a Lot of Trees Around Your Home
Trees around your home improve the quality of air around it. It also adds a touch of natural vegetation to it as well as purifies the air of carbon dioxide and releases oxygen. You can put some houseplants that will radiate into your home. According to NASA, researchers say that households with a few plants around them experience fewer breathing problems due to the cleanliness of the air. Trees also obstruct dust from entering homes. They can block heavy winds and provide shade in your garden. Several plants are great for houseplants, such as peace lilies, Madagascar dragon trees, and Chinese evergreen.
Diffuse Important Oil in Your Home
There are different types of essential oils used for a variety of purposes, including the addition of a calm aroma and relieving people from regular headaches. According to research, it states that orange oil contributes to a positive mood and a high level of calmness, while lavender oil promotes a sense of relaxation. These pleasing vapors are key to putting anyone’s mind at ease. While you can let it diffuse throughout the day, the diffusers can be set to switch off automatically after the water has run out. Such oils are easy to find in shops and be purchased from an oil delivery service at your home.
Be Aware of Harmful Pests
Pests such as fleas, mice, and cockroaches can be a little destructive and put a damper on your home. Having pests at home can increase the chances of getting diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, and stomach upset due to its dirty nature, especially the cockroaches. They can also roam within the home or eat all the grains and foods in the house. It is very unhealthy to have a home that heals these pests. However, they can be controlled and completely removed from your home by the use of pesticides or pest infestation methods. You can reduce the way through which they access food, shelter, or water supplies. First, store your food in a sealed container and place your garbage far from your kitchen or near any accessibility to the named supplies. Make sure the garbage is tightly closed to avoid it being a breeding site for pests and ensure that trash collection is done regularly.
Use Carbon Dioxide Detectors
Carbon dioxide is one of the worst and most dangerous gases ever known. It is even referred to as an invisible killer because it is colorless and odorless, but deadly if not well controlled. High levels of carbon dioxide can result in breathing problems and even death. A home without proper ventilation for hours increases the levels of CO2 in the room and finally causes breathing complications for anyone inside it. To avoid being caught unaware because of its odor, it is advisable to have a carbon dioxide detector installed in your home. If the levels are high, it can detect and alert you to take precautionary measures.
Replace the Vacuum Filter Regularly
Vacuum filters are good for keeping the home clean of paper and dust particles. If there are pets in your home, it is important to keep them dander-free. Be sure to frequently replace the filter to make it work properly. Based on vacuum manufacturers, if you have a vacuum filter, it can be shaken between cleaning and using it. However, follow the recommendations from manufacturers. After a while, you will notice your vacuum starts leaving trails of scraps and dust and that is the time to replace it.
Clean and Was Cutting Boards and Countertops
Cutting boards and countertops are a favorite breeding ground for all kinds of bacteria, especially when you regularly cook meat. You have to follow a simple rule of cleaning your cutting boards, either if they are plastic or wooden. Once they create an edge that can harbor bacteria, it becomes impossible to disinfect it. You can also replace it completely to risk any chances of bacteria.
Also, countertops are mostly used for cooking. Your utensils roam just around the countertop and it can be dangerous to have them dirty. Always make an effort to clean it and ensure that the clothing used is also very clean. Apply a cleaning detergent. The bacteria can be transferred from the boards to your spoons, foods, or knives.
Use Green Roofing Options
A green roof offers a rainwater buffer, regulates your indoor temperature, purifies the air, and reduces the ambient temperature. It also encourages biodiversity in your area. Green roofing has greatly contributed to the climate-proofing and regulation of your indoor temperatures. Moreover, most people using green roofing are much happier than those that are in grey environments. They are better than using a metal roofer. Experts from roofing services will advise you to choose green over other options.
Disinfect Your Door Knobs
Doorknobs are the dirtiest areas of contact at your home. Everyone who enters the home or leaves must touch the doorknob. It does not take a genius to notice the regular touches on the knob. During this time of the Covid-19, you have to be very cautious about the cleanliness of the knobs by disinfecting them once in a while using spray or microfiber clothing.
Clear Your Clutter
Clutters are an open culprit of unhealthy homes. Piles of unfolded laundry destroy a good home vibe and accumulate dust particles. Any organized home picks and packs its areas well to avoid having a messy house. In most cases, people have laundry rooms that act as untidy storage. So, focus on having such a space and always keep it in order. This way, you will not have an untidy area or get overwhelmed by messed-up laundry.
Store Food in Clean and Quality Containers
Food storage requires clean means to avoid pollution by germs and bacteria. Most people store their foods in containers to help stay fresh and in better shape for cooking in later hours. Good quality containers help a long way to store foods such as grains. Containers such as storage jars, and plastic and glass containers. You can also use combo kits that have dividers and are ideal for vegetables. Constantly clean them to prevent the accumulation of bacteria before storing foods.
Encourage Hand Washing in Your Home
Become a life coach in your home and train your household on the importance of washing their hands. Either they are from playing outside, in the toilet, or just visitors in your home. It is important to foster these habits to ensure that the home stays healthy. These small efforts at home help a long way to prevent carrying bacteria from outside and bringing them right into your sitting room, bedroom or kitchen. Make it a number one rule that controls and prevents germs and bacteria. Use hand washing detergents to kill germs and bacteria to keep the home free from such threats.
Swap the Dish Washing Sponge
Unfortunately, dish sponges are used for cleaning utensils but can also be added as a breeding ground for germs. According to research, bacteria that are likely to cause a foodborne disease stay on a dish sponge or the scrubbers. Regardless of whether you’ve cleaned it or not, the germs will continue to stay there. Therefore, a permanent solution is to change the sponge every week. The kitchen sponge is cheap and anyone can afford it. You have to consider buying in bulk for easy swapping when you need another one.
In conclusion, you can achieve a healthier home environment with these simple but very effective ways. You do not have to look over the board for complex ideas. The secret is in what you do every day, but now, you have to properly plan for it. Clean your compound, slash out weeds, and wash your hands, among other steps. Remember, you are like a project manager, but this time at your home. You have to manage how to create a healthy home environment for yourself.
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