CREATING A HEALTHIER HOME
Every year, getting healthier is one of the top New Year resolutions and is even more important in our current Covid pandemic climate. As you make your goals to improve your diet and increase exercise, it is also important to evaluate your home environment.
Creating a clean healthy home is crucial to preventing disease and increasing your energy levels. With the few simple changes below, you could notice a major difference in your health and home.
Start eliminating pollutants at your entryway. Up to 80 percent of the dirt and pollen tracked into your home can be caught by using double door mats.
Shop for a good quality mat for guests and family members to wipe feet before entering and another once stepping inside to catch additional debris. Better yet, having family remove their shoes when they enter can decrease dirt tracking even more. Set up shoe storage and have slippers readily available to encourage this new habit.
Swap out chemical-laden commercial cleaners for natural ones. Many cleaning solutions can made at home with ingredients you may already have such as vinegar and essential oils. Or if you’re not the diy-type, look for 100% plant-based cleaners without harmful chemicals. When you’re cleaning, as we’ve all learned through the pandemic, wipe down high-touch areas such as door handles, faucets, and countertops regularly.
Prevent mold by reducing dampness and increasing air flow throughout your home. Leave interior doors opened and ceiling fans on low to keep air circulating. Most ceiling fans have a switch that will change the circulation of the blades in the winter to force warm air down. Check the pipes throughout your home to make sure they are watertight. If you find leaks, see our website for trusted plumbers and water damage professionals.
And lastly, keep your indoor air quality in check throughout the year by changing your
HVAC air filters regu
larly. Most filters should be changed every 3 months, more often if you have pets. Check to see if your system will accommodate HEPA filters, which offer the best filtration for common allergens. If you suffer from severe allergies, consider calling one of
our members to upgrade your HVAC system to one that includes a whole-home air cleaner.
To find more useful advice, along with a full list of our local members to help you create a healthier home, visit the Home Builders Association of Greater Chattanooga’s website at www.HBAGC.net.