Normal Household Items That Could Be Negatively Affecting Your Health
Spring is here! Well, it’s supposed to be. Where I live there’s still an annoying chill in the air. That doesn’t stop the need for spring-cleaning, however. Let’s look at 10 trouble spots you should focus on when cleaning to protect your health.
Dirty Deeds, Done Dirt Sheets
Clean those buggers often! And when I say “buggers” I do mean because there are more bed bugs in your bedroom than you even want to know about. You want to relax and fall into your bed, pull up the sheets, stop worrying about anything and everything and just drift into dreamland. But while you are dreaming away you are also shedding one-half ounce of dead skin per night. And sadly, bed bugs are people too. Ok, they’re no, but they do engage in insect/animal things, such as dragging bacteria with them and leaving microscopic excrement in your pillow havens. It’s gross but true. Wash your sheets at least once a week and in-between washing make sure to flick them about before making your bed help air dry the sweat and moisture you left overnight. If you want to count clean-sheets instead of bugs to fall asleep, take care of your begin regularly.
We All Need To Vent
Did you ever just feel bad all-of-a-sudden, out of nowhere? You haven’t been sick, and neither has your family members. This could be a result of heating and cooling vents/ducts gather germs and bacteria. That allergic reaction (rash or sneeze)…that dry cough….that headache? Your vents could be contaminated or forming mold. Use a sterilizing solution and clean them out frequently, say, once a month. You can’t stop dust from forming and blowing through your vents all the time. But you can clean your filters to reduce it. And, by sterilizing your vents you can assure yourself that any dust passing through won’t be collecting spores of the mold to carry around your home.
Clean Off You Cleaning Machines
It’s quite possibly time to upgrade your vacuum cleaner. While not
Endorsing specific products or models here, I have to say that older vacuum cleaners are breeding grounds for terrorizing health threats.
It doesn’t matter what the brand is, every vacuum cleaner ever runs let’s lose some amount of dust, germs, and allergens into the air that settles right back down onto your counters, furniture, and floors. So when you upgrade (you’re going to, right?) be sure to at least get a vacuum cleaner that is geared up with a HEPA filter (high-efficiency particulate air filter) or look for the best-rated vacuum cleaners and clean that thing after every use. While upgrading, skip the dinner and drinks this week and add an air purifier to your arsenal. I use one and I tell you truthfully the entire quality of life in my home is elevated because of it. A purifier is pretty much a necessity if you live near an industrial or commercial area, too, so make sure to research and get the best one for your home to reduce allergic reactions and improve general breathing.
Furry Frustrations
Whether canine or feline, rabbit or…ferret (?) our pets shed hair. We love them dearly, but they do require work. Pet dander is the devil’s work against a clean home and clean lungs, so you want to do what you can to reduce its impact on your life and home. I know you want to let them on your furniture and in your bed(s), but you really, really shouldn’t. I love animals but I don’t love traces of poop, smog, insects and general dirt on my pillow. It’s a conflict for many pet owners and can cause stress in households among disagreeing couples. The best for a healthier and cleaner house is to disallow them from being anywhere but on your floors. It’s easier said than done, but it’s the right choice.
Lung-Crushing Chemicals
Part of the reason cleaning solutions clean dirt and stains is that they’re jam-packed with synthetic and carcinogenic chemicals designed to break down solid substances. Think about it: If comet can cut through grease and stains and make your stainless steel shine like new, imagine what it can do to your lungs. Try going green, or, yellow as it turns out. Lemons are great, natural cleaners, as are white vinegar, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide. Avoid anything that lists “formaldehyde” as an ingredient, and run away from the toxic chemical Perchloroethylene (aka “Tetrachloroethylene,” as if that helps).
Mold Your Home to Be Mold Free
Mold is the enemy of the state of health in your home and in your lungs. It can hide. It can grow unnoticed. It can sneak its way onto your pet’s hair and particles of dust blowing around your house. Mold also loves cool, moist and damp areas as well as older fruits and vegetables. It thrives around your trashcan lids and sinks faucets, too.
Did I forget the toilet bowl, tank and shower? Oh, yes…the toilet bowl, tank and shower are also mold-growing wonderlands.
Mold is dangerous and there is no other way to look at it. Black mold can kill you. And milder mold can still affect your breathing and general wellness. Clean all mold-susceptible areas frequently and wipe down any surface on which you just ate with a safe-but-sterilizing solution right after your meal. Your kid’s toys are also hotbeds for this nasty substance, and you can use rubbing alcohol or other natural methods to clean them safely and effectively. Oh, and be sure to throw away – outside – any trash with food in it or old food in general.
The Lunk-Headedness of Lead Paint
Prior to 1978 most homes were painted with nasty, dangerous lead paint. I worked on a farm for a summer with an 85-year-old man who disagreed about lead paint being harmful. He still didn’t force me to use it, so that tells you something. And that “something” is: lead paint is bad stuff. Exposure to lead damages your brain. It’s a proven thing. Just look at heavy metal drummers! All joking aside, you need to make sure your house is lead-paint free, for your own safety and your children’s. it’s not just your brains you’re protecting – it’s your kidneys, stomachs, lungs, nervous systems and pretty much everything else in your body. There are
Take-home tests available on the markets so if you live in a home that has even the slightest chance of containing lead paint, go get one today and make sure you’re safe. If you’re not, hire professionals to remove it immediately.
Dirty Drawers
No: not that kind. I’m talking about the drawers in your refrigerator. The ones you’re wearing are up to you to deal with. But the ones that store our food can also get nasty. Fruits and vegetables turn bad sooner than you think and begin to harbor germs and bacteria before we can see it.
You might have heard of those little things called “E. coli” and “salmonella”, etc. Empty your refrigerator drawers regularly and wash them in hot, dish-safe soapy water. Be sure to dry thoroughly before replacing them to avoid excess moisture buildup (which leads to mold and mildew thus defeating the purpose here). You can also always use a spray bottle containing water and rubbing alcohol to sterilize the drawers before replacing. Again, make sure they are completely dry before returning them to their frosty homes.
