Your home is supposed to be a sanctuary. It’s a place where you can relax without any fear of health hazards or harm coming your way.
However, data collected by health experts suggests that 72.6% of all preventable injury-related deaths occur within the home. This is likely due to the influx of harsh chemicals like detergent which can be poisonous if ingested.
Keep your home safe without compromising your commitment to the environment by choosing eco-friendly cleaning products. This will protect young children against accidental poisoning and minimize your waste. You can also make a few eco-friendly home modifications to your home to reduce the risk of pollutants and mold harming your health.
Air Pollution
Your home should be completely free from pollutants like lead paint or mold. However, many people unknowingly live with air pollutants for a number of years before doing anything about it.
Take steps to improve your air quality by learning to recognize the signs of air pollution in your home. Don’t overlook unpleasant odors and try to find the root cause of dampness or a sour smell. These smells can point toward more serious issues like mold. Left unchecked, this will cause respiratory issues and joint inflammation.
If you do experience mold, it may be due to high humidity and condensation in your house. This can be fixed with simple, eco-friendly house plants that suck the moisture out of the air. Consider planting:
- Peace lilies
- Boston fern
- Palms
- Spider plants
- English ivy
These plants will naturally gather water from the air and reduce the risk of air pollution. They’ll also create a fresh and inviting environment for any guests you have over. Over time, plants like peace lilies can grow to become statement pieces that make your home safer and more inviting.
Safe Cleaning Products
Everyone loves a spring clean. It’s a chance to declutter your home and get behind the bookcases and wardrobes that have been gathering dust. However, harsh cleaning chemicals might be bad for your health and the environment.
You can make lung-safe natural cleaning ingredients yourself that will protect the environment and have your home looking its best. For example, if your carpet needs a deep clean, make a solution from:
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup vinegar
- 1 teaspoon of salt
Scale the solution as needed and use a spray bottle to apply the mixture. This can bring out stains and refresh white carpets. You can even experiment with natural, lung-safe oils like eucalyptus, peppermint, and lavender in your mixture.
Pest Control
Pests can pose a real hazard to your health and well-being. Rats and flies carry diseases, while woodlice can burrow through beams and undermine the integrity of your house.
If you notice an influx of flies, consider using natural fly repellents like:
- Lemongrass oil
- Catnip
- Citronella
- Cinnamon
These scents keep flies away and add a calming scent to your house. Use the repellents while cleaning up your home, and try to address issues like sticky surfaces before bringing in pest control.
If your pest problem is worsening, it may be time to bring in pest control. When looking for a contractor, consider their experience, licenses, and the services they offer. Some professionals offer an eco-friendly alternative to their usual service and many will rehome large pests that they capture. Do not, however, put off pest control if you can’t find an eco-friendly vendor. It doesn’t take long for pests to take over and undermine your whole family’s health.
Eco-friendly Water
Drinking water is best sourced from mains water or certified suppliers that sell in supermarkets. However, you can still gather rainwater for your garden. A water butt can save liters of rainwater per year which will provide a nutrient-rich drink for your plants.
Check your state and country rainwater harvesting laws before installing a water butt. Some states have highly regulated laws that inhibit rainwater collection and may fine you for keeping water from entering the mains system. Conversely, some states actually incentivize rainwater collection and may actually pay you via tax breaks for collecting runoff water.
Drinking high-quality is good for your health, but some water filters are wasteful and cannot be recycled. Replace high-waste filters with eco-friendly water filters that work. For example, ceramic filters last longer than plastic versions and may use less carbon during the production phase. You can also experiment with solar-powered pumps that use the sun’s rays to purify your H2O.
Conclusion
Properly maintaining your home can improve your health and minimize your risk of exposure to hazards like mold. However, many harsh cleaning chemicals are bad for your respiratory system and undermine your commitment to sustainable living. Sidestep the harsh chemicals and opt for eco-friendly solutions instead. Bring in some houseplants to dehumidify your space and use vinegar-based cleaning mixes to clean your carpets and surfaces.
