Talk about making our lives healthier often revolves around our physical health with topics like diet, exercise and sleep taking centre stage. But when it comes to improving health, is it time we started considering our homes? After all, our home is where we spend the bulk of our time.
Despite this, discussions about making our homes healthier are few and far between. But given the number of simple changes we can make to improve our home’s well-being, it’s time we changed that. Not least because improving our home’s health can subsequently improve our own.
Whether you are tired of tackling mould that seems to just keep coming back, or you’re starting to get concerned about how dust is negatively impacting your respiratory system, here are several ways to improve the health of your home.
Improve Air Quality
Air quality is a great starting point as poor air quality can have negative impacts on our health in a number of ways. From respiratory issues to allergies, improving your air quality will arm you against a number of health issues.
When it comes to improving air quality, consider sources of indoor pollution which include things like tobacco from smoking as well as harmful pollutants that come from everyday tasks such as cooking and cleaning.
Sometimes removing the source of the pollution is simple; for example, avoid smoking indoors. Removing other pollutants is more difficult though, you can’t avoid cooking for example. That’s why it is important to take steps such as using houseplants, air-purifying machines and oxygen concentrators.
It is also important to consider how you can use different products when it comes to decorating and cleaning. For example, non-toxic paints and natural cleaning products should have a greater impact on your home’s air quality.
Take Steps to Prevent Mould
Mould is another substance that can lead to respiratory problems. Homeowners should take steps to identify and remove any build-up of mould inside the home. Not only this, look to introduce ways to prevent mould rather than simply dealing with mould when it arrives.
Mould is most commonly found in rooms where bacteria thrive such as bathrooms and kitchens due to the amount of heat and moisture that comes with activities like showering and cooking. Solutions can be as simple as improving the air flow in your kitchen and bathroom which can be achieved by simply opening the window when showering. More advanced solutions could include implementing a ventilation system inside your bathroom.
You should also be quick to resolve any leaks and humidity issues as this will only further escalate issues with mould. In addition, regular cleaning with non-toxic products should leave your kitchen or bathroom at its healthiest.
Improve Ventilation in High high-moisture areas
Proper ventilation is a crucial part of maintaining a healthy home as poor ventilation can easily lead to an increase in the amount of harmful gases and moisture inside your home. Consider areas of your home where laundry dries as it is crucial these rooms have adequate ventilation to deal with the moisture that is released from wet laundry.
Ventilation solutions range from expensive systems to cheaper moisture absorbers. Dehumidifiers are also a great device to remove moisture from the air and offer excellent value for money.
Other solutions to improve ventilation can include installing a fan in your home or, as already mentioned, opening windows and doors frequently to improve air flow and reduce humidity.
Remove Dust and Dust Particles
While dust is unavoidable, it can have a serious impact on our health. This negative impact is enlarged for those who suffer from asthma or dust allergies. It’s important to identify the most common sources of dust, which are usually places like underneath furniture and rugs, on top of cupboards and around light fixtures.
Regular cleaning is the best way to stop on top of dust in your home. This includes vacuuming before wiping down surfaces with a damp cleaning cloth. Also, try to minimise the amount of clutter in your home as this leaves fewer areas for dust to build up inside your house.
Taking steps to purify the air in your home with devices such as air purifiers should also naturally reduce the amount of dust particles in the air. It’s worth remembering that dust isn’t just the build-up you can see, but also particles that are unseeable to the human eye.
Put More Time and Effort Into Your Garden
Don’t just consider the inside of your home when it comes to improving house health, your garden can also be a breeding ground for mould and pollutants. That’s because there’s an abundance such as plants and damp surfaces that allow fungi and mould to thrive.
There are many ways to improve the health of your garden whilst also improving its aesthetic and appearance. Consider additions such as balcony gardens and vegetable plots to compliment your internal greenery efforts.
Just as it is important to consider the products you use indoors, the same applies when it comes to your garden. Avoid using chemical pesticides and try to use organic gardening products which are easily found online and in DIY stores today.
Maintaining your garden won’t just improve your physical health, many gardening connoisseurs speak of the benefits to mental health too. Regular maintenance can be a therapeutic activity so do not hesitate to grab yourself some gardening pruners and make a start.
Final Thoughts
In summary, there are several ways to improve the health of your home and it’s important to consider all rooms and even outside your home with flood and water damage restoration. The good news is that many of these improvements can be achieved through small changes, whether that’s in terms of your daily routines or the products you purchase.
For instance, switching to natural, organic products will have a great impact on your home’s air quality while more frequent cleaning should lead to less dust and mould. It’s also important to consider how a healthier home can lead to improved mental health and not just a healthier body.
Try to implement at least one of the changes mentioned throughout this article and see how it impacts both your physical and mental health. It may be surprising how easy it is to improve your home’s health, while it may also uncover a hidden passion or talent for hobbies such as gardening or DIY.
Hopefully, you feel motivated to get up and improve the health of your home after reading. But of you’ve already started your journey to improving house health, feel free to send in any hidden gems or useful techniques that we missed.