We live in a time of "more than we need", and our precious belongings--be they laptops, furniture, or clothing have to be maintained. It is true that Americans are more aware....
We are increasingly aware that just because a chemical removes stains easily it does not mean it is good for our children, or even safe to use regularly. Added to that, we want our houses to be safe havens. Somewhere we can escape to: away from the daily grind of weekly grocery shopping, office politics, and playground banter. Our houses are more than roofs over our heads--they are also our homes.
Healthy housekeeping incorporates a number of interchangeable ideas: that a house should be healthy; living in it shouldn't take an undue toll on the environment; maintaining it shouldn't be unnecessarily expensive; running it day-to-day should be efficient.
The idea of a healthy house has become a lot more than just keeping the mice out of the pantry.
A healthy house benefits from sufficient fresh air entering, with enough ventilation to ensure indoor air pollutants are regularly removed. Good ventilation also ensures a house is not too humid, which in turn helps keep it free from excessive mold and bacterial growth.
Some tips to reduce airborne hazards int your house:
- Check that all your living spaces are adequately ventilated—open windows regularly and let air blow through the house.
- Make sure all air-conditioning, humidifying, and dehumidifying equipment is maintained according to the manufacturers’ instructions and that no water is allowed to stand in them.
- Repair leaks and see pages promptly. Thoroughly clean and dry water-damaged carpets and building materials within twenty-four hours of damage or consider removing and replacing them.
Hand in hand with reducing airborne toxins (biological hazards) a healthy house is also supportive and considerate of allergy sufferers. Simple measures can help—letting beds air, opening windows for ventilation, keeping sinks clean, and keeping a check on mold growth around outlets and faucets.
Allergic reactions, ranging from rhinitis, nasal congestion, inflammation of the conjunctiva, hives, and asthma, may be triggered by a number of biological agents. Notable culprits include molds, dust mites, cockroaches, rodents, birds, cats, and dogs. In addition, natural furnishing fillings, such as feathers may also act as allergens.
Knowing how to effectively clean and, where necessary, disinfect around the house keeps bacterial populations below irritation and disease levels. It also encompasses knowledge of the cleaning products we use that may irritate or even poison in the wrong doses and in the wrong hands. The more we know about the chemicals that we encounter every day, the more we can make informed choices about their use.
We all want a healthy house. A home that is safe and comfortable, one that we can enjoy with our families and friends. But what does it mean to have a healthy house?
When you think of the word "healthy," what comes to mind? For most people, it's probably something like "clean" or "pure." But those aren't exactly the first words that come to mind when we think about our homes.
We are not saying that our house is dirty--far from it! But there are aspects of our home that make us feel like it could be healthier than it actually is.
For example, when we clean our bathroom with baking soda instead of a store-bought cleaner, we are not not only making a greener choice that could save money and has less impact on the environment; We are also creating a safer home environment for our family.
We have created a series of Bog posts that we hope helps you on your journey to a toxin-free and eco-friendly household. Feel free to check them out here.
Enjoy and Share!