Is Your House Making You Sick?
Battling allergies or illness and can't figure out the cause? Eliminate your home as a potential culprit with these room-by-room tips
Homes are supposed to be havens we can escape to for rest and recreation, but when a sniffly nose, headaches or other common complaints are part of your every day, it makes sense to do what you can to make your house as healthy – and as happy – as it can be. Snuffing out potential causes at the source could be just what you need to make the living easier.
In kids’ bedrooms, keeping soft toys to one or two will allow you to better control the dust that can be such a trigger for asthma and other respiratory problems. Let your children pick a furry favourite to sleep with, and send the rest packing. Washing soft toys regularly and drying them outside in the sun will work wonders in stopping them from becoming a health hazard.
Replacing curtains or fabric blinds with easy-clean shutters will cut down on dust and mould spores, and consider getting rid of wall-to-wall carpet in favour of timber or bamboo flooring to reduce both dust and toxins.
BATHROOMS
Respiratory issues, mystery rashes and other problems may become a thing of the past if you can stamp out the mould living at your house. The warm, damp conditions in bathrooms are perfect ecosystems for mould to go forth and multiply. Dark spots on the ceiling or a musty smell are telltale signs of this annoying fungi, but mould can also hide in surprising places such as inside walls and cabinets. Adequate ventilation is a must – windows that open wide and an effective exhaust fan help, as will regular cleaning with white vinegar. An alternative is to add oil of cloves (1/4 teaspoon) to a full spray bottle of water, spray on the surfaces and leave overnight before rinsing off. Reseal baths and showers every year or so to keep moisture out of walls and floors.
Respiratory issues, mystery rashes and other problems may become a thing of the past if you can stamp out the mould living at your house. The warm, damp conditions in bathrooms are perfect ecosystems for mould to go forth and multiply. Dark spots on the ceiling or a musty smell are telltale signs of this annoying fungi, but mould can also hide in surprising places such as inside walls and cabinets. Adequate ventilation is a must – windows that open wide and an effective exhaust fan help, as will regular cleaning with white vinegar. An alternative is to add oil of cloves (1/4 teaspoon) to a full spray bottle of water, spray on the surfaces and leave overnight before rinsing off. Reseal baths and showers every year or so to keep moisture out of walls and floors.
Get rid of any medications past their use-by date, and don’t be tempted to reach for old medicines prescribed for an ailment you find yourself suffering from again. The chemical composition of some drugs can change over time, and antibiotics lose their potency.
LIVING AREAS
Clean out air-conditioning filters and heating vents regularly to keep your home squeaky clean – you might be surprised how clogged up with dust and grime they are.
Clean out air-conditioning filters and heating vents regularly to keep your home squeaky clean – you might be surprised how clogged up with dust and grime they are.
Pet hair and dander is a common allergen. The right vacuum cleaner is crucial if you don’t want to entertain the idea of living in a pet-free household but suffer from itchy eyes and other common allergies you know are caused by your feline or canine friends. Shop around for a cut-above vacuum that rids your house of dust and pet hair with ease.
Pot plants don’t just add a touch of greenery to indoor spaces, they also refresh and purify the air. Toxins from flooring, rugs, televisions and soft furnishings all contribute to the indoor air pollution that can make us sick.
Toxic gases that leach from floorboards, carpets, TVs and window coverings contribute to poor indoor air quality. Just one plant in a room can remove most of the toxins from the air, and could spell the end of allergies, headaches, asthma and other ‘sick building syndrome’ signs.
Toxic gases that leach from floorboards, carpets, TVs and window coverings contribute to poor indoor air quality. Just one plant in a room can remove most of the toxins from the air, and could spell the end of allergies, headaches, asthma and other ‘sick building syndrome’ signs.
Thinking of updating your interiors? Cheap may not equal cheerful when it comes to paint. Opting for low-VOC paint is better for your health and the environment.
The kitchen sink is usually the dirtiest part of the house. Wash dishcloths often to stop them dragging germs all over the kitchen, and replace every month or so. Also, be sure to get everyone at your house to spread out dishcloths to dry rather than leaving them scrunched up in a ball in the bottom of the kitchen sink – a habit I’m trying to actively encourage my children to leave behind in a hurry!
Tea towels also harbour bacteria that can cause gastro and other illnesses, so make it routine to wash them often and keep the one you use for drying your hands separate from the one that dries the dishes.
Keep antibacterial liquid or solid soap at the ready beside the kitchen sink to wash your hands before, during and after food preparation. It’s the number-one thing you can do to keep your household healthy.
VERANDAH
You can go natural when warding off pests and encouraging your outdoor plants to grow, too. Companion planting (nasturtiums and mint are two handy pest repellants) and other natural solutions are just as effective as the chemical-laden pesticides and herbicides proven to cause health problems with prolonged exposure.
YOU TELL US
Do you have any other tips Houzzers can put to use to make their homes healthier? We’d love to hear about them in the comments section below.
You can go natural when warding off pests and encouraging your outdoor plants to grow, too. Companion planting (nasturtiums and mint are two handy pest repellants) and other natural solutions are just as effective as the chemical-laden pesticides and herbicides proven to cause health problems with prolonged exposure.
YOU TELL US
Do you have any other tips Houzzers can put to use to make their homes healthier? We’d love to hear about them in the comments section below.
If allergies, poor sleep quality or other ailments are causing you grief, get back to basics and keep dust and other allergens at bay. Dust mite covers for your pillows and mattress is a good place to start.