With the current trend of everyone wanting to lead a healthy lifestyle, the home is an essential part and it should not be left behind. It is best to create a haven for your family to live in. Every homeowner should strive to look at some ways of including non-toxic items in the home. There are two ways of going about toxins in the house, and it includes not introducing products that are toxic and removing the toxins present in the home. Let us brush over some of the steps to achieve a safe and secure home to inhabit.
- Reduce plastics in your home
Plastics are seemingly present in every part of your household. The most prominent area is the kitchen. Plastics are hazardous when kept in warm conditions as they produce a gas that is harmful to the environment and household members. Plasticizers are known to cause harm to the nervous system. The simplest way to go about it is getting rid of plastic utensils in the kitchen and home generally. It is best to substitute with other sustainable items as opposed to plastic. The simple step is a great step in getting rid of toxins for a healthier environment.
- Reduce dust in your home
Dust is a well-known cause of an allergy to individuals. Children, especially, are prone to get allergic reactions due to dust particles in your home. Dust is easily absorbed into the bloodstream. It is best to clean areas to get rid of dust by using wet mops and a vacuum cleaner to get rid of finer dust particles. It is best to clean hard-to-reach places like ceilings and interior barn doors to get rid of dust in your home.
- Minimize toxic chemicals in cleaning solutions
More often than not, cleaning chemicals contain significant traces of toxic chemicals. The chemicals contained in cleaning products can be spread in your indoor spaces through cleaning. The toxic chemicals can cause respiratory illnesses, among other issues in the body. When purchasing cleaning solutions, it is best to look for less toxic solutions listed on various websites. In addition, having a list of cleaning products is a good way of switching up with safer cleaning solutions.
- Control humidity in your home
Humidity levels in your home can keep fluctuating, and for this reason, it needs to be kept at a minimum. High humidity levels in the home create an environment for the growth of fungi such as mildew and mold. Dust mites also thrive in these conditions. It is best to use the tools available, such as the HVAC, to keep humidity levels at recommended levels. Toxins may end up causing illnesses to family members. The recommended humidity level is 40 percent.
- Proper ventilation
Ventilation is a crucial ingredient in keeping the home free from toxins. It can either be provided mechanically or natural resources. Most homes are usually tightly sealed, and it’s best to find a way of making the toxins escape the home. There are many ways you can ventilate your home by opening windows regularly in different rooms. Additionally, you can run ceiling fans and vented fans to get rid of toxins in the home. Moving air around in your home will go an extra mile in keeping your home safer for habitation.
- Limit synthetic fragrances
Synthetic fragrances are usually considered are those that contain scents and can be found in various products ranging from personal care products, cleaning products, and candles, among other home essential items. It may be challenging to pinpoint items that contain some of the harmful substances as most companies do not disclose some of the materials used. It is best to consult some environmental websites to check if your products are safe for your family.
- Designate a spot for shoes in your home
Shoes usually travel in different places all through the day. For these reasons, they can bring toxins to your home. Everything that you walk on eventually ends up at the bottom of the shoe. Having a designated area at the front of your home to leave shoes or any spot is a sure way of keeping toxins at bay.
- Inspect your home for water leaks and dampness
Water leaks and dampness are breeding grounds for fungi. The mold may end up causing health problems to individuals in the home. It is best to fix minor water leaks and thoroughly clean areas which can be breeding grounds for mold.
The above discussed are some of the steps in ensuring your home is toxin-free. Following these ideas is a sure way of creating a conducive and safe environment for living. Toxins endanger our health significantly.
9 comments
Also, beware of carbon monoxide leaks in your home. Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas used in HVAC heating systems and is extremely hard to detect manually. It’s odorless, colorless, tasteless, and invisible. There is almost no way to detect it in the case of a leak.
To prevent this from happening, inspect the furnace and heat exchanger for any wear or tear or malfunctioning defect. And make sure it’s 100% used to continue with its current state. In case of any doubts, hire a professional HVAC specialist as soon as possible.
@ Regina Timmons:
Thanks for mentioning this. I just want to add that any air filter with a MERV rating higher than 13 restricts airflow, which could make your HVAC system work harder and consume more energy. The best MERV rating for a home is somewhere between 8-10. These filters will capture a large portion of the airborne particles and improve indoor air quality without increasing energy consumption.
Some more important information about filters in this article: polestarplumbing.com/tips-tricks/must-know-air-quality-practices.
Thank you for sharing this! Such things as cracks and gaps in the foundation, gutter and drainage issues outside, plants, improperly installed HVAC, plumbing, and ventilation systems, and others (https://happyhiller.com/blog/importance-whole-home-humidification-systems/) can also be sources of moisture problems. By fixing this, you can lower the humidity level in the house and prevent mold growth.
Thanks for the information. I also suggest paying attention to your windows. In winter, you can see condensation on them. While this is the norm in cold weather and a common occurrence, sometimes it is a sign of poor quality windows. If windows are the cause, try to solve the problem asap. When moisture is allowed to collect and remain stagnant in and near windows, the potential for mold growth increases.
Speaking of mold, it may also be found in the air ducts of your home. At the same time, you may have a humidity level within the normal range (40-60%). And this is a very common problem.
This article tells about the causes of mold growth in air ducts, health risks, signs and ways to prevent it: https://www.edelmaninc.com/mold-in-air-ducts/.
You made a good point about high humidity level! However, a low humidity level has a negative effect on your health as well. When humidity drops too low, mold, mildew, and dust allergens dry up and become airborne. Dry air also dries out the nasal passages, which makes it easier for those allergens to get into your lungs. Chapped lips and dry skin accompany the dry air allergy issues to create a very uncomfortable environment. Besides, the dry conditions can damage your home, causing wood floors, picture frames, and even door frames to dry out and shift.
If the humidity level in your home is lower than 40%, read our article: https://www.sandersandjohnson.com/problems-humidifier-solve/.
Thanks for sharing! Also, don’t forget to check all the electrical appliances at your home. Some old appliances can contain hazardous toxic components and gases that cause an unpleasant odor at home and negatively impact you heakth as well as the environment.
@ Regina Timmons:
By the way, the higher the filter rate, the cleaner the air in the house. So, MERV 16 indicates that it can remove particles at a size of 0.3 to 1 micron with ease. In simple terms, MERV 16 filters capture 98% airborne viruses in the home. Additionally, such filters can remove toxic contaminants such as paint pigment, noxious by-products of household chemicals, and tobacco smoke.
To reduce dust in your home, consider upgrading your air conditioner filter to a pleated filter with a MERV rating in the 7 to 12 range. These filters offer adequate filtration and remove common contaminants such as pollen, mold spores, dust, pet dander, and tobacco smoke. The basic recommendation for filter replacement is every 3-4 months for MERV 8, every 6 months for MERV 10 and 11, and every year for MERV 16.
These filters are the best choice for allergy sufferers.