We know that the environment outside our homes can be detrimental to our health if it’s polluted. However, living inside a house in which conditions are poor can lead to chronic diseases and even injuries. The quality of your housing must be kept within proper levels so that you can avoid mould, lead, asbestos and decreased indoor air quality. Overcrowding with clothes and objects around the house is also a risk to your health.
Generally, for your house to be a healthy and safe place, it would be best to keep it neat and organised. Unfortunately, it’s not easy to keep everything together due to tight schedules, messy office work hours and life difficulties.
So, if you want your health to be in good condition, here’s what modification you can do to your house to make it safe and sound.
Declutter each season
Decluttering is a challenging task that can be done in two different ways. You either do something small every day or declutter completely when the seasons change. For example, you may know the importance of cleansing your house to prepare for spring, but doing it before the beginning of each season helps you control your clutter.
You can tackle this task by organising your work for each room, but you can also start smaller and clean from space to space. What helps the most is having a few different bins where you can put things that are recyclable, trash, things that can be repaired and things that you can donate. This way, you’ll know exactly where to find your belongings by allocating or relocating them to a specific place, making decluttering much easier.
Decluttering each season also helps with depression and anxiety because the mess around the house negatively impacts your mental health, leading to confusion, tension and decreased focus. On the other hand, regular cleaning benefits health, improves your mood and reduces stress.
Clean your carpets
Carpets are the base of a home but are also the ones where the most dirt accumulates. Carpets trap pollutants, allergens, pet dander, dirt and dust, which become airborne during vacuuming or even walking, affecting your lungs’ health. So, if you don’t want to get rid of your carpets and install hard-surfaced flooring, it’s best to clean your rugs at least twice a year by hiring a professional who uses special devices and solutions for a deep clean.
At the same time, you can maintain them in good condition by vacuuming daily and cleaning them with a stiff brush from time to time. But it’s advised that you take your shoes off at the door to avoid dirt getting inside and walking in slippers around the house. This also helps you avoid getting chemicals and bacteria from outside your home, so it’s a win-win.
Improve the quality of indoor air
Keeping the air from inside the house clean at all times isn’t that challenging, but you need to let fresh air travel from outside to inside. You can do this by simply opening the windows once a day for at least 20 minutes (best done in the morning). You also shouldn’t smoke inside and let your house get humid, so get a humidifier that prevents mould.
Plants are also an excellent method of improving indoor air. You can get planters on wheels to move them quickly around the house and also make your home look nicer with beautiful pots and diversified plants. You can choose English Ivy, Aloe Vera and Peace Lilies to boost air purification as they help filter the air by absorbing CO2 and releasing oxygen.
But going green doesn’t have to stop here. You can even extend the greenery around the house and complete the look with balcony planters that allow your plants to grow in the perfect environment. Planting as many flowers and vegetation outside the house as possible helps the ecosystem replenish and regrow.
Treat mould
Mould is one of the most dangerous risks to your health that forms indoors. If moisture is out of control and water-damaged areas are not treated immediately, you might be prone to developing respiratory infections, allergies and even asthma. Babies and older people are the most sensitive to mould, but people with existing skin and respiratory problems are also in danger.
To prevent mould from forming, it’s best to keep your home as dry as possible. But if it has already developed, you can clean it with chlorine bleach, distilled white vinegar and rubbing alcohol. However, depending on the material where mould has grown, you may need specific products to get rid of it. If you notice mould that covers a larger area or has an unpleasant odour, it’s best to hire a professional.
Build your own oasis
One final way to make your home healthier is to create a place for refuge where you can charge your batteries. This place can be anywhere you feel the most comfortable, whether it’s your bedroom, living room or just a corner somewhere. Your oasis should be built in such a way that you can find yourself there, and it’s quiet enough for you to meditate. Whatever spot you choose, make sure to make it comfortable with a puffy chair, some dim lights and plants around.
Although this is necessary for your mental health, it can make a difference and help you when you struggle with certain tasks at work or are overwhelmed by life. You can design your place however you like to bring comfort and regain strength. On the other hand, choosing to make your own house as beautiful and comfortable as possible can motivate you to maintain it and transform it into the perfect home.
Final thoughts
Having a healthy house basically means having a clean house. And we know that sometimes maintaining it is difficult as life gets in the way. But the tips presented above should help you control your home’s condition so you can be healthy and happy in your hideaway.
