Like all of us you want your home to be a safe and
healthy environment. No matter how often you clean your home if you’re not
doing these 10 things you are creating a breeding ground for germs and
bacteria. The following suggestions will make a tremendous difference in the
health of your family and they take only minutes to do.
Vacuum Your Home
without a HEPA Filter
Yes, it really is that big of a deal! A HEPA rated vacuum
filter in your vacuum cleaner will dramatically reduce the amount of dust being
thrown back into the air that you breathe at home. Air quality is very
important to our health and using quality filters will actually filter the air
in your home as you clean – a very wise investment.
Don’t Use the
Ventilation Fan in Your Bathroom
Bacteria need nothing more to thrive than moisture and
heat and that is what we call a bathroom! The use of a ventilating fan in your
restroom will dramatically reduce moisture as well as remove air borne
contaminants.
Don’t Replace the
Filters in Your Air Conditioner(s)
We’ve all done this one from time to time. Just as your
vacuum cleaner “breathes” so does your HVAC system. Dust and stale air in your
home is constantly being re-circulated when you are using your air conditioning
or heating system. The only way to clean this air is by using a filter in the
unit(s). I suggest using a HEPA rated filter the same as the vacuum cleaner.
They are more expensive than ordinary filters but well worth the money. Look at
it this way; you are breathing in whatever your home is breathing out.
Sleep with Dust
Mites
Dust mites can and do exist in the cleanest of homes. These
microscopic creatures are a main cause of illness in the home. Your best
defense is to use pillow cases and sheet sets that have zippers and are dust
proof. This will prevent these tiny creatures from living in your linens and
will do a world of good to make your bedroom a much healthier environment.
Don’t Bother to
Change the HEPA Filters in Your Home
Now that you are using these high quality filters in your
air conditioners and vacuum cleaners, don’t worry about cleaning or replacing
them when the time comes. This will allow all of the bacteria that have built
up over time to reenter the air in your home and cause the filters to become
ineffective. An excellent way to ensure that you don’t miss that yearly summer
cold!
Never Clean or
Repair Your Gutters
Leaky gutters allow water to go where it doesn’t belong.
If this excess moisture finds a way into a crawlspace or basement you have a
perfect breeding ground for germs. Be sure that your gutters are working
properly and keep them clean as well.
Use as Much
Textiles in Your Bedroom and Living Room as Possible
I know. This one sounds a bit strange but the truth is
that carpeting, fabrics and those extra throw pillows on the couch are
excellent dust collectors. Again, air borne contaminants are contributing
factors to asthma, allergies and the everyday head cold! The less of these
materials in your home, the better. Now you know why hardwood floors are so
popular!
Ignore Strange
Odors
Did you know that mold is extremely dangerous to our
health? Did you know that it can even be deadly? Trust your nose and if you
smell a musty or strange odor in your home take the time to find out what it
is. If you discover mold it needs to be removed immediately. If excess moisture
has caused mold in carpet, drywall or some other permanent part of your home it
is best to call a professional mold abatement company for an inspection and
decontamination procedure. FYI – bleach will NOT remove harmful mold, the
material that is contaminated must be completely removed from the home.
Be Sure to Use Wind
Pollinated Plants in Your Yard and Garden
If you or any family members suffer from allergies than
plants that reproduce using the process of pollination are a great way to
attract allergens to your yard. Sorry to say but grasses are some of the worst
plants to be around for allergic people.
Don’t Use Anti
Bacterial Dish Liquid
Standard dish liquids do not kill germs. Anti bacterial products are an excellent idea when
cleaning the very dishes that we eat our food from. The same can be said for
hand soaps, cleaning products and so on. Hand sanitizer is a great way to clean
up before eating on the run as well.
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