Your home should be your safe haven. A place where you feel safe, happy and most of all healthy. Especially in the current climate, ensuring your home is a healthy place to spend your time is more important than ever. Besides the obvious ones, there are a range of unassuming factors that can make your home a more healthy place. This blog will list and discuss these in the hope of informing and better yet entertaining you.

MINIMISE MOISTURE

Moisture caused by dampness is the leading cause of mould. Whilst mould is a naturally occurring fungi in both plant and animal matter, it can become a cause for concern. If inhaled, mould can trigger nasal congestion, which can lead to wheezing, coughing and throat irritation. To control and combat this, ensure you carry out the following, particularly in wet rooms such as bathrooms, laundries and kitchens.

• Dry all surfaces after use
• Wipe up accidental spills
• Ensure rugs and carpets are kept dry
• Hang wet towels after use

Our top tip – Regularly change cleaning sponges as these are an absolute feeding ground for moisture, therefore bacteria and mould.

MINIMISE DUST

Whilst not as concerning as mould, dust and dust mites can still alter the health of your home. A buildup of dust can aggravate allergies, asthma and eczema. So how does dust even come about? Well most of the dust in our homes comes from a combination of inside and outside elements such as:

• Dirt
• Pollen
• Smoke particles
• Carpet fluff
• Clothing fibres
• Pet hair
  

Not to worry, there are plenty of simple steps you can take to minimise the prevalence of these elements and consequently reduce dust in your home. Continue reading as we discuss them in more detail.

STAY ON TOP OF FLOOR HYGIENE

Flooring is where most contact with outside elements is made and used most frequently. Keep this clean and you will be well on your way to a clean and healthy home. However, how do you keep floors clean to begin with?

• Wipe shoes before entering the home
• Do a quick sweep or dust bust each night in high traffic areas of the home
• Vacuum floors at least weekly
• Mop floors weekly to remove scuff marks and dirt that the vacuum didn’t collect

Doing one or more of these tasks will help keep you on top of your floor hygiene. Of course the cleaning method you carry out will depend upon your flooring. Whether it be timber, tiles, carpet or concrete, find out the best way to clean your flooring and take it from there.

AIR IT OUT

One of the best ways to keep your home healthy is by regularly clearing the air. As we spend a significant amount of time in our homes, it is vital that the air we breathe is safe. If not aired out, household fumes can accumulate and lead to poor indoor air quality. Poor indoor air quality can lead to a buildup of bacteria, air borne viruses and indoor pollutants, known as VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Ventilating your home by opening windows and doors is one of, if not THE best way to flush out the air in your home and create good airflow. Lack of ventilation can cause mild headaches, tiredness and in severe cases asthmatic and allergic reactions. Lack of ventilation can also cause your home to smell and who wants that?

Our tip – A great way to purify the air in your home during the cooler months is by using an air purifier. Affordable and effective.

INTRODUCE INDOOR PLANTS

Plants have the ability to convert carbon-dioxide into oxygen, this is assuming you’re buying real plants and not artificial ones. This oxygen is then distributed back into the air for you to breathe in. By having indoor plants, this increases oxygen levels in your home and consequently will provide you with better quality air and a healthier home. According to the 2020 Plant Life Balance report, they discovered that simply adding one medium-sized plant to a medium-sized room improves air quality by up to 25 per cent. Isn’t nature just incredible?

ADDITIONAL WAYS TO MAKE YOUR HOME A HEALTHIER PLACE:

• Wash and change your bed linen on a regular basis
• Vacuum dust off drapes/ material curtains/ window shutters
• Tend to leaking taps (not only are these annoying to listen to, but can lead to mould growth)

Having a healthy home means different things to different people. Whether it be taking steps to keep toxins away or making your home more sustainable, these factors all contribute to having a healthy home. Consider what you value and what makes you feel safe, happy and healthy in your home and go from there.