A healthy home is a happy home.
Everyone wants to feel safe, comfortable, and able to thrive within the confines of their residence. Most know the common steps to achieve a healthy environment, such as cleaning, upkeep, and maintenance, yet may be unaware of the inherent dangers of certain products or the proper methods for effective home maintenance.
Here are a few simple tips to ensure a healthier home:
Cleaning Products
Cleaning products can release an array of chemicals into the air, including ones linked to asthma, developmental harm, and cancer. Create DIY cleaners from natural ingredients, or check that the brand is certified "clean". Use EWG.org's Guide to Healthy Cleaning to find cleaning products that disclose all of their ingredients.
Also, be sure to use gloves when cleaning, as toxins from cleaning products can be absorbed into your body through your skin.
Air Filters
For a central air system, use a filter rated MERV 10 or higher. Clean dust build up monthly, and replace filters routinely to maintain proper airflow.
Reduce Dust
Wipe furniture with a microfiber or wet cloth. Don’t use synthetic sprays and wipes when you dust, as they may add more potentially harmful chemicals to your home environment.
Water Filters
Tap water can contain an assortment of dangerous chemicals or pollutants. Bottled water is expensive, and may still contain harmful chemicals. Utilizing a water filter is effective and budget-friendly. Carbon filters are the most economical and provide great results. Carry stainless steel or other BPA-free bottles.
Ventilation
Believe it or not, the air inside our home is often dirtier than the air outside, with two to five times the concentrations of dangerous airborne chemicals, gases, molds and other particulates. This makes proper ventilation essential, especially in newer air-tight, energy-efficient homes built to stop drafts and energy loss. For areas that require a lot of heating or cooling, an energy recovery ventilation system may be the best option. These systems recapture the energy from your HVAC system before dirty air is expelled.
Beauty and Skincare Products
Other items within the home directly impact our health and well-being, particularly cosmetic and skincare items. When selecting skincare, The Center for Ideal Health recommends following the advice of Dr. Mark Hyman, MD: “If you wouldn’t eat it, you shouldn’t put it on your skin." Women and men need to be aware of what is in their products, such as makeup, shave creams, moisturizers, sun screens, lotions, face wash, etc.
Here are the Top 12 Ingredients to AVOID: The Dirty Dozen of Skincare
1. Aluminum
2. DEA, MEA, TEA
3. DMDM Hydantoin and Urea
4. Mineral Oil
5. Parabens
6. PEG
7. Phthalates
8. Propylene Glycol and Butylene Glycol
9. Siloxanes
10. Sodium Lauryl Sulphate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate
11. Synthetic Fragrances
12. Triclosan