Clean is in for most American households. Based on the results of the 2019 ACI National Cleaning Survey, 77 percent of households in the United States practice general spring cleaning every year. The survey also found that family members spend at least six days to complete a thorough cleaning task in their homes. However, about 33 percent of the respondents believe that they are not cleaning enough.
Since home cleaning is essential to keep all family members safe during the flu season, here are several tips to make sure that the house is clean and sanitized to have a healthy home environment.
Get Rid Of Dust Regularly
House dust is one of the most inevitable health hazards at home. Its presence can increase the family’s exposure to different toxic substances like phenols, phthalates, and flame retardants. These tiny substances can gather in the usual areas of the house, including the table tops, window sills, and on top of the appliances. Aside from causing respiratory diseases like asthma, it can also invite the dust mite population at home. These can trigger dust mite allergies.
To remove the dust, homeowners can use a damp cloth or wet mop to wipe away the tiny particles on all surfaces. Wiping with dry materials only causes the dust to circulate back into the air. They can also use a good quality vacuum cleaner to extract the dust particles thoroughly. Also, installing vacuums with a High-Efficiency Particulate Air filter also helps in reducing dust at home.
Grow More Plants
Having more houseplants can provide more benefits to every member of the family. It can get rid of all the toxins from the air and decrease the dust accumulation. It can create more oxygen and humidify the air indoors. Also, plants can help lower a person’s stress levels and improve their moods, ease the pain and discomfort, and encourage more productivity and lengthens attention span. It can also remind people of nature and provide a better sense of balance.
Some of the most effective indoor plants that can purify the air include the colorful Barberton Daisy that can clean the air from the toxic formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene, They can also plant an English Ivy to combat the mold developments indoors. Also, chrysanthemum is another helpful plant that can filter out the ammonia and benzene in the air.
Buy Responsibly
To reduce the toxin accumulation at home, owners need to pay special attention to all the items they buy. They must avoid buying plenty of plastic products as they reportedly cause harm to the body. Studies claim that plastics found in children’s toys, food containers, and vinyl shower curtains can cause behavioral changes, hormone disruption, and certain types of cancers. The damaging gases and synthetic materials found on paints, carpets, textiles, and furniture can also rub off on a person’s skin and enter their bodies. Because of this, homeowners need to be mindful of what they buy.
Eradicating the toxic elements at home means homeowners must consider buying products made with organic or natural fibers. They may also consider using ceramic or food containers. If plastics are hard to avoid, they should choose those with BPA-free or non-PVC labels. Using natural cleaning products can also help reduce harmful chemicals at home.
Making a healthy home environment is very important to take care of all the members of the family. If homeowners will exert more effort in cleaning their properties, then they can get an assurance that each family member will have fewer chances of getting sick due to the toxins present at home. If they will practice these tips regularly, the health and well-being of the entire household will improve in the long run.