Ways To Make Your Home Healthier

Everyone wants a clean and healthy home. You can’t spend every day dusting, vacuuming, and scrubbing, but there are ways to make your home healthier that will reduce pollutants, allergens, and toxins in your house.

Open the Windows

When the weather is fair, open the windows and give your house a good airing out. Exchanging indoor for outdoor air eliminates pollutants that can accumulate indoors. This may not be possible in cold climates in the winter, but when spring cleaning comes, let the house breathe.

Vacuum Frequently

Dust is unconquerable—it comes right back after you clean it up. That often means you must resign yourself to vacuuming. Clean your vacuum filter regularly, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If your old machine just doesn’t seem as powerful as it used to, it might be time to invest in an upgrade. Choose a vacuum that includes a HEPA filter and that cleans pet hair and dander.

Wash Sheets and Towels More Often

Wash your towels and sheets more often—at least once a week. Skin cells, sweat, and body oils contaminate sheets and attract dust mites. Use hot water, and consider using hypoallergenic pillowcases and sheets for sensitive family members.

Filter Your Water

Municipal water filtration plants don’t remove all possible contaminants. They simply reduce them to levels considered acceptable by regulatory agencies. Adding filtration to your faucets—or, better, to your whole house—can remove minerals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), pesticides, viruses, and bacteria in addition to heavy metals.

Add An Air Purifier

You can’t keep the windows open all the time, so consider adding an air purifier or several for multiple rooms. These can remove pollutants, dust, mold spores, and pet dander, which can trigger allergic reactions.

Use Doormats and Take Off Your Shoes

Dirt, fungus, and even bacteria can make their ways into your home on the bottom of your shoes. Put doormats outside and inside your doors, and use a boot tray by the doors inside. Take off your shoes when you come in from outdoors, and exchange them for slippers. Leave the shoes in the tray until you head outside again.

Add More Houseplants

Houseplants are natural air filters. They take in carbon dioxide and exude oxygen, making the air easier to breathe in. If you have young children, be careful to select nontoxic plants that won’t harm babies or pets.

Dry It Out

Mold thrives in damp environments. Use your home’s ventilation systems, such as kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans, to control moisture. Add dehumidifiers if necessary.

These are just a few simple ways to make your home healthier. Choosing natural, nontoxic cleaning products and low-VOC paints are other ways to keep unhealthy substances out of your home.