04 Oct Keep Your Home Healthy

These days many people are concerned with the toxins that can be in food due to pesticides, chemical additives, etc. But what about in your home? Once you have your new custom home, it is important to maintain it, to be sure you live in a healthy environment for years to come. 

Did you know there are many things throughout our homes that need attention to prevent toxins from lingering in the air you breathe. Since people spend most of their time inside, 80% or more in fact, where air may be even more polluted than outdoors, it is very important to be mindful of lurking germs and toxins.

Air Filters
Newer homes are designed to be energy-efficient, which unfortunately also means not much ventilation, which can leave irritants like mold, dust mites, and pet dander sealed inside and potentially causing flare ups such as allergies and asthma. To filter the air throughout your home, a disposable, high-efficiency  air filter for your furnace and air-conditioning system can be extremely beneficial in maintaining your home’s air quality. Be sure to change the air filters every three months and by leaving the fan on your air conditioner turned on, pollutants such as dander and pollen won’t get trapped indoors.

Tap Water
Many contaminates such as: lead, chlorine, and pesticides can be in your faucet water that comes right out of the sink, so getting a water filter is a very good idea. You can test your tap water with a kit to make sure you really need a water filter before you invest in one.  Testing can also be handy to ensure the filters you choose are doing their job.

Carpeting
Carpeting, especially wall-to-wall carpet, can trap dander, dust, pollen, and mold. If there is a spill, even if you do your best to clean it up, it may not dry quickly enough and could become a breeding ground for mold. wood or tile floors offer cleaner alternatives. However if carpet is a must have for you, carpet tiles could be a good alternative, since you can remove the individual squares for easy cleaning, drying, and replacement.

Cookware
Relatively new research shows that dangerous chemicals linked to cancer are found in non-stick cookware. Although we may like the easy-to-clean and convenience of non-stick cookware, a healthier choice for cooking is ceramic cookware.  there are ways to make ceramic pans easier to clean, like cooking on medium, not high, so your pan doesn’t scorch. Also, never soak a hot pan in cold water overnight, as it can lead to warping. Try sprinkling baking soda and dish cleanser in the pan and gently scour with a scrubbing sponge.

Household Cleaners
Many household cleaners not only have artificial fragrances, but also, harsh chemicals, that can irritate your lungs and irritate conditions such as allergies and asthma. There are plenty of basic ingredients right in your kitchen that won’t harm your health and are just as effective as cleaning products you find at the store. Try using lemon to remove hard water stains and  instead of buying glass cleaner try apple cider vinegar distilled with water in a spray bottle.

Keep it Tidy
An organized home leads to a healthier body and clearer mind because letting clutter and dirt pile up not only makes it harder to think, but also makes it harder to clean because it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. You can maximize your space and lessen the clutter by recycling, reselling, or donating to a worthy cause like your local shelters, Goodwill or Salvation Army.