While the idea of “wellness” has been growing in popularity, it’s nothing new. After all, everyone wants to live in a healthy environment. But did you know that creating a healthier home doesn’t have to be difficult? Here are some real, simple steps you can take to make your home a healthier place.
Get Some Plants
Image from Flickr by uberculture
When it comes to our health, we should always look to nature first to provide what we need. The earth has been keeping humans alive for a long time, so it probably knows what it’s doing. It turns out that houseplants are nature’s remedy for cleaner air. Because they use carbon dioxide to create oxygen, plants have a filtering effect on the air in your home. They also help create beautiful, inviting spaces that will improve your overall mood and reduce your stress. For these reasons, adding plants is one of the most positive changes you can make to a household.
Service Your HVAC Regularly
Just like humans, your home’s HVAC can get sick. And much like a family member, it will spread its germs to you and your family. That’s why servicing your HVAC regularly is so important. Filters in your furnace and air conditioning should be replaced at regular intervals to ensure that the air being spread throughout your home is clean. Units should also be inspected annually to make sure they’re working properly and not leaking moisture into your home, as that too can negatively affect the health of your family.
Use Organic or Fragrance-Free Cleaning Products
Many of the cleaning products commonly used in homes contain chemicals commonly known as VOCs (volatile organic compounds). VOCs are released into the air when the products are used, polluting the space inside your home. They can have significant negative effects on the health of your family. By using natural, organic, and fragrance-free products, you can limit your family’s exposure to VOCs and improve the overall air quality in your home.
Stop Tracking in Dirt
There’s a reason why many people worldwide take off their shoes before entering a home: the world is a dirty place. When your shoes carry dirt from the outside to the inside of your home, they also carry bacteria and allergens with them. By taking off your shoes at the door, you can significantly reduce the amount of dirt, dust, and bacteria that enter your house.
If you can’t wrap your mind around telling your guests that they need to take off their shoes, you could also place a second welcome mat inside your door for the purpose of foot wiping. Adding mats on both sides of your door can reduce the amount of dirt in your home (and thus the number of bacteria and allergens) by about 80 percent. That kind of prevention certainly makes it worth the investment.
These are just some of the myriad ways that you can work to easily make your home a little safer for you and your family.