5 Ways to Make Your Home Healthier

With so many people hunkering down at home due to both the pandemic and winter temps, there’s a renewed focus on health and wellness. There’s also an increased interest in home improvements and decor. As you evaluate your product selections and design choices, here are some ways to make your home healthier.

1 – Add House Plants

It’s long been believed that plants improve air quality in your home, although the science behind that might still be up for debate. Regardless, there’s something about living things in your home that can improve your mood. Also, the act of caring for plants is also a nice break from the monotony of being stuck at home.

2 – Change Your Air Filter

If you have a forced hot air heating system, be sure to clean or replace your filter regularly. Most require monthly replacement. Yes, monthly! Surprisingly, most homeowners go months or even years between replacements. More than ever, it’s important to invest in new filters to ensure clean and healthy air for you and your family.

3 – Avoid Plastics

Many toxins inside of our homes come from the products that we purchase. For a healthier home, we must start to evaluate what is contained in everyday items from cleaning products to consumables, furniture, and home decor. For cleaning products, avoid toxic chemicals and opt for natural solutions. For other products, avoid plastics or materials treated/coated with chemicals. The choice is usually yours. For instance, instead of a plastic picture frame, perhaps you select a natural wood frame. If you need different colors to match your decor, you can paint it yourself (using non-toxic paints, of course).

4 – Beware of Candles

We love candles. They create a lovely ambiance and add a nice scent to your home. Have you ever noticed, though, that some candles leave marks on your walls or are a bit smokey compared to others? The truth is, not all candles are created equal. Some burn dirty. This not only creates unsightly stains in your home but it also affects the quality of the air that you breathe. Keep this in mind when purchasing candles. We recently discovered lifetime candles that use paraffin oil and a fiberglass wick. They come in pretty jars and are refillable. Most importantly, they burn clean!

5 – Run a Humidifier

Dry air can cause so many problems during the winter months. From coughs to dry skin, it makes the winter months tough to endure. A simple solution is a whole house humidifier. By strategically placing the unit in your home, it can gently humidify the air throughout. Beware of using the small humidifiers that you normally run when you’re sick. Those push out visible puffs of hot or cold air that can lead to mold issues if run for too long in a small space. Whole house humidifiers work a bit differently and are safer for long-term use.

Other Ways to Make Your Home Healthier

There are  many little things you can do every day to make your home a healthier space. For instance, leave your outdoor coat and shoes at the door. Vacuum often to eliminate buildup of allergens on your floors. Wash your bedsheets weekly. Purchase anti-microbial sheets and other linens. Creating a healthy indoor space is often about keeping toxins and unhealthy things out, so being conscious of what you bring into your home both in the form of purchases and physically on your self is important.

We’re all finding ways to better navigate these unusual circumstances. We hope that you and your family stay safe and healthy during these difficult times.