We’d all like to believe that our weekly sweeping/mopping/dusting are enough to keep away all of those nasty toxins that could be harboring in our homes. Well unfortunately, that’s just not the case. Things like dust mite allergens, mold, bacteria, and fungi all present themselves upon the very surfaces that we eat, sit, play, and sleep. This disturbing fact is more important than ever considering the sheer number of hours we’ve all been spending at home lately. With Zoom school, work, and events, we’d better make sure our home is a safe place to live the majority of our lives.
Many patients with asthma report that attacks are brought on after they do house chores like dusting, vacuuming, or removing clothes from closets. This indicates that our homes really are full of these allergens and when we disturb them, they spread out into the air around us. How can this issue be prevented? By establishing a thorough and regular cleaning routine that doesn’t allow for build up on our high touch surfaces.
The largest contributor to a house prone to dust, mold, and other bacteria is poor ventilation. When there is lack of air flow in a home, these little guys have the perfect breeding ground to just grow and spread until their heart’s desire. Especially in rooms prone to moisture and steam such as kitchens and bathrooms, the issues caused by poor ventilation are even greater. Ever notice the smell of a closet that hasn’t been opened or reorganized in a while? Yeah, that smell is from the stagnant, stale air that gets trapped in there and lets all these toxins get nice and cozy. To prevent this problem, having all windows and doors open for at least an hour a day to get some air flow going in your home would be a good idea. If you live in a basement or apartment with very few windows, keeping a fan blowing in each room for a little is also a good option.
In addition to the toxins we’re familiar with, our homes may also be harboring harmful gases in them. Homes with gas stoves can emit nitrogen dioxide concentrations that are 50-400% higher than homes with electric stoves, putting these people at risk for serious respiratory illnesses and other harmful effects. While the danger of a gas stove itself may be a reality, the way it effects your home is somewhat up to you. Having windows wide open when your stove is on or after you’re done cooking can do a lot to minimize the effect and reach of the nitrogen dioxide in your home. Yet again, ventilation comes to save the day.
So what is the job of a responsible person when it comes to keeping their home a safe place to be? First of all, implementing a proper and through cleaning regimen is necessary. Just like you wouldn’t re-wear an outfit after just brushing it clean, your home needs more than a sweep for it to be pristine again. Additionally, researching the correct products that will do the best job for the specific surfaces and materials in your home would get the job done in the most effective way. Second of all, ventilation, ventilation, ventilation. We are stressing this to you because, with the awesomeness of air conditioning, people can go weeks or even months without opening a single window in their home. This is terrible for the moisture levels of your home and allows indoor toxins to stay right where they are. Also, it is such a simple, worthwhile solution to so many potentially dangerous and expensive problems. Lastly, monitor your indoor air quality.
But remember, being a responsible homeowner does not mean basing your assessments of your home off of your own sense of smell, touch, etc. Monitoring your home means bringing in professionals at least annually to conduct tests on its indoor air quality. Their chemical tests can tell you what your senses can’t, and this small investment can end up saving you thousands or more.
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