It’s hard to believe, but a person’s home could be making them ill! Out of all places in the world, we expect our homes to keep us safe. After all; they are our little cocoons from the environment around us.
The sad truth is that many people don’t realize the effects their homes can have on their health. For some residents, those effects could even be deadly! Many of us don’t notice any issues because we are away from home during the day (i.e. at work). But, for those of us that work from or stay at home, there can be more illnesses happening to them.
Here are some classic examples of how even your home could be making you feel “under the weather”:
Heating and cooling systems
More homes these days come with HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems. When those systems are new, they work well and make life comfortable indoors. But, when a homeowner fails to maintain their HVAC systems, health problems can ensue!
For instance, water droplets inside the system can harbor bacteria that leads to mold. You might not know it, but mold can trigger all kinds of health problems like asthma, allergies and more.
The solution to that problem is easy. Have your HVAC system maintained by a professional! is a good place to start when seeking out expert help.
Leaking faucets and pipes
It’s not just air conditioning systems that can harbor bacteria. Have you ever just “got used” to a dripping faucet or plumbing pipe in your home? If so, you’ve just unearthed another way that your home makes you ill!
When you encounter such issues, it’s best not to leave them and ignore them. Instead, you should either fix them or have a professional repair any leaks for you.
Beds
Some people don’t change their bed linen for weeks, if not months at a time! It’s crucial that you wash them at least once a week. Many people don’t realize that beds can become breeding grounds for bed bugs.
They are also ideal places for dust mites to live too. To prevent those problems from happening, wash your bedding each week in hot water. And make sure you dry them well. Consider using a tumble dryer for faster drying.
Bath mats
Again, bath mats can become breeding grounds for all kinds of bacteria. You’re likely seeing a trend here that water fosters bacteria in the home! That’s why most people have problems with mold in their bathrooms.
When you’re done having a bath or shower, hang your bath mat somewhere to dry. Each weekend wash your bath mats without fail to prevent problems with dust mites and mold.
Carpets
It’s likely that you have a lot of carpet in your home. As with bath mats, carpets can host a plethora of dust mites and other household allergens.
At least once a week you should vacuum your carpets. Consider doing so with a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter. Most modern vacuum cleaners have one, in case you wondered.
