If you’re currently experiencing signs of sickness, it might come as a surprise that your home might actually be the culprit.
Various elements such as toxins, mites, molds, pesticides, and gases can put you at risk of developing health issues.
You might not know it, but some things you use in the house and some practices you do could already be affecting your overall well-being.
Before your condition or that of your family gets worse, you should make it a point to identify the different ways your house might be responsible for poor health. Here are some of them:
1. The HVAC System is Dirty
The heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system in your house may typically provide comfort during changing seasons, but did you know that it can be a health hazard once left unmaintained?
As your air conditioning lowers your home’s temperature, it often leaves behind remnants of water in the ducts, which serve as the ideal breeding ground for mold and bacteria.
The growth of mold and bacteria are often the cause of respiratory conditions such as asthma, cough, and allergies.
Therefore, make it a point to keep your HVAC system’s ducts clean. It’s best to hire a professional to do a thorough cleaning and servicing of your system regularly so that it functions well and doesn’t trigger or exacerbate respiratory ailments.
2. Some Household Items Are Breeding Dust Mites
Dust mites are likely to flourish in old mattresses and pillows, dirty carpets and curtains, and even towels.
Dust mites are microscopic insects that thrive on warmth and humidity, attacking places that people frequent.
Individuals who already have asthma or allergies can experience devastating reactions once exposed to dust mites.
Regularly washing your bed sheets, pillows, towels, and curtains in warm water, therefore, becomes an important routine in keeping dust mites away. After washing, be sure to thoroughly dry these items.
Make it a habit to also vacuum your carpets and dust your furniture as well. For mattresses, consider using a topper for an extra layer of protection.
If your sheets, pillows, curtains, or towels are too old, too dirty, and beyond salvation, don’t hesitate to get rid of them. Work with professional rubbish removal services, such as the one found in the URL link here, so you can properly dispose of these items.
3. Leaks Are Present
The presence of leaks in your house might seem like a tiny inconvenience at the start, but don’t ignore this as leaks can lead to the development of mold.
Remember that mold can be a serious concern among those who have asthma and allergy-induced respiratory issues.
Regularly inspect the pipes, basement, closets, and attic to ensure that there are no cracks that could cause leaks.
Once you detect any sign of leakage, clean and dry the site, and immediately get in touch with a professional for a repair job.
4. Air Fresheners Are Excessively Used
For those eager to make their house smelling nice at all times, using air fresheners isn’t the healthiest way of doing it.
Keep in mind that oil diffusers, scented candles, scented sprays, and plugin fresheners may contain phthalates, which are chemicals that can disrupt the endocrine system by affecting your hormones.
A safe way to freshen your home is to use natural essential oils, burning organic scented soy candles, opening the windows, or by adding flowers around the house.
5. Bath Mats Are Filthy
Aside from the kitchen, your bathroom is one part of the house that needs constant cleaning.
With this in mind, change your bath mats regularly to prevent mold and bacteria buildup, as well as the presence of dust mites.
Besides regular cleaning, always dry your bath mats and keep them from being exposed to excessive water and moisture.
6. The Fridge Needs Cleaning
Frost-free refrigerators often have an electric coil in the freezer that melts frost. A tray or pan then collects the water, which evaporates with the help of the warm air released by the compressor.
However, if the pan contains a buildup of dust, your fridge can unwittingly be blowing this dust around your house. While newer refrigerator models no longer have a tray underneath, the coils on the rear require regular dusting.
Make sure you routinely clean behind the refrigerator. To utilize the best cleaning approach, carefully read the manufacturer’s instruction manual carefully to figure out whether your fridge has a tray for collecting water.
7. The Vacuum Doesn’t Have a HEPA Filter
While a vacuum cleaner may help keep your home spick-and-span, it could also be responsible for making you sick if it doesn’t use a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.
These filters trap tiny particles that other vacuum cleaner models would simply recirculate back into the air. Unless you’re using HEPA filters, your vacuum might not effectively minimize dust, dander, and other causes of respiratory ailments.
If you haven’t already, switch to a vacuum cleaner that uses HEPA filters. Be aware, however, that some HEPA filters might not actually be HEPA filters.
These imitation filters may resemble the actual thing but don’t follow the standard real HEPA filters do. Always check if the HEPA filter for your vacuum has a serial number as it’s one indicator that it might be authentic.
8. You Use Chemical-Based Cleaning Products
It’s no secret that cleaning products are often made with chemicals to make the solution more effective.
However, excessive use of these cleaning products can trigger health issues such as headaches, eye irritation, and respiratory problems wherein some can even be carcinogenic.
When using any type of cleaning product, always wear gloves, dilute the product, ensure proper ventilation, and avoid using more than the recommended amount on the packaging.
To keep your house clean while minimizing health risks, switch to greener cleaning options such as using a vinegar and water solution for cleaning glass, or using baking soda as an abrasive. For other household items, use soap and warm water.
9. Most of the Cookware is Non-Stick
Non-stick cookware is a common sight in most kitchens, but did you know that these items utilize synthetic chemicals to prevent food from sticking to the surface?
When placed over high heat, these chemicals can be released into the air or even your food, which can be detrimental to your health in the long run. Instead of using non-stick, switch to cast iron or stainless-steel cookware.
Conclusion
There are various, everyday items around your house that can make you sick without you even knowing. Keep in mind the ways your house might be causing poor health so you can take the right measures and prevent you and your family from experiencing negative health effects.
About The Author:
Travis Hamilton is a successful blogger who writes about health, parenting, and home improvement on his blog. Travis also publishes videos to teach readers how to make healthy meals from scratch and start working out at home.