This month we are celebrating National Healthy Homes Month. And this “holiday” is the perfect time to shine a light on your home and ask yourself: Is my home as healthy and safe as it can be? And if not, how can I ensure better safety and health for my family?
Well, we are glad you asked! There are plenty of additions and simple changes you can make to your home to boost its health factor and keep your family safe. Let’s take a look.
Try These Tricks for a Safe, Happy Home
Now that summer is on the horizon, you’ll be keeping tabs on your cooling system (at least we hope so). To avoid emergency AC repair this season, we hope you’ll schedule your regular spring tune-up with your friendly Elite Air team. It’s the first step towards preventing premature HVAC replacement and a great way to keep your home healthy and safe. And while regular tune-ups are a no-brainer for maintaining a healthy home, there are some additional “healthy home ideas” that you might not have considered!
Here are seven.
1. Use Soy Candles
Most people want their homes to smell nice, and burning candles is a popular trend and great way to accomplish this goal. However, regular candles aren’t great for your indoor air quality since they burn paraffin wax, which can contain toxins. Fortunately, there is a safer solution—soy candles. Soy candles are made from soybeans, are non-toxic, burn cleaner, and produce much less soot than traditional candles. And they smell great, too.
2. Prevent Mold—Add a Dehumidifier
Is there mold in your home? Yikes! Mold can result in sickness, so knowing how to recognize it and treat it is critical. Mildew, which is one of the most common forms of mold, is often found in the bathroom and appears like gray or white powder. It often thrives in damp, warm places, like the shower. Some tips for controlling mold include:
- Investing in a dehumidifier
- Leaving the bathroom fan on for 15-20 minutes after showering and cracking a window
- Sealing bathroom grout
- Replacing shower curtains and liners regularly
There are also many all-natural cleaning products on the market that can treat mold. For truly tough problems you can’t solve, it’s best to call an expert for professional cleaning.
3. Don’t Wear Shoes Inside
This might sound simple, but taking your shoes off before you march through your home is a good idea. This prevents dirt, bacteria, and other grime from getting tracked into your clean space and spreading germs.
4. Buy an Air Purifying Plant
Plants are our friends. And specific types of indoor plants can help purify your indoor air. Selections such as spider plants, aloe plants, peace lilies, English ivy, and dragon trees are good “air purifying” options as they absorb CO2, remove toxins, and release oxygen.
5. Clean Your Carpets
We all know that regular vacuuming is essential to keeping a clean home. But scheduling professional carpet cleaning once or twice a year is also a great way to ensure a clean home (this is especially helpful if you own pets). Look for a “green” carpet cleaning company that offers natural, non-toxic ways for deep cleaning your carpet.
6. Ventilate
Good ventilation helps cut back on unwanted illnesses. When possible, it’s always a good idea to ventilate your home. Opening windows to allow fresh air indoors is recommended when possible. Additional tips for good ventilation include running kitchen and bath exhaust fans, changing air filters regularly, using indoor air purifiers, and installing whole-home ventilation systems.
7. Declutter
A well-organized, tidy home equates to a cleaner space. Decluttering your space will not only provide peace of mind, but it will reduce dust that has accumulated on your items. This means you’ll experience fewer allergies and have better indoor air quality. So, get moving and start purging that junk!
Celebrate Your Home with Us!
The team at Elite Air will be honoring National Healthy Homes month by checking in with our own homes. How about you? Will you take our ideas to heart and do your best to boost your home’s health too? We hope so! And remember, if you need HVAC replacement, AC maintenance, indoor air quality improvements, or simply have an HVAC question, our experts are available seven days a week at 609.205.3813.
