“Health” can mean many things, both with your body and your home. Ensuring you have a healthy environment can improve your overall well-being including physical health, peace of mind, and your productivity. However, aiming for a healthy home isn’t as easy as you may think. It can require regular check-ins, updates and remember that it’s natural to get lazy at times. That’s okay as long as you get back on track.
A healthy home isn’t just important for you and your loved ones. It can also help prevent legal woes like slip and fall claims. A cluttered home is asking for trouble, and you might be legally responsible if someone has a slip and fall accident on your property. Here are a few easy steps to improve your home’s health (and that of anyone who visits):
1. Embrace simplicity
Cluttered house, cluttered life is the general MO. Not only does clutter stress you out (whether you realize it or not), it can also be dangerous. There are tripping hazards, but the more “stuff” you have, the more difficult it is to clean. Dust collects daily and can lead to allergy attacks and even worsen asthma.
2. Ditch the chemicals
Not only is it healthier to make your own cleaning supplies, it’s also much cheaper. Going with an “all natural” store-bought product may (or may not) be healthier, but how do you know what’s really in it? The best move is to make your own or depend on items you already have for cleaning (such as mayonnaise to remove cup ring stains).
3. Prioritize recycling
Most Americans can recycle more than they do, but it might require a little extra effort. For example, a monthly trip to a recycling center to take care of items like batteries or other things the garbage company doesn’t collect might be in order. You might spring for a variety of recycling boxes to make sorting easier, too.
4. Minimize energy consumption
You’ll get good karma points, enjoy lower energy bills, and help with a greener earth all at once. Practice better habits such as turning the water off when you brush your teeth, only washing full loads, hang drying when possible and closing off rooms that are rarely used.
A healthier home means a healthier you, and there are many ways to improve your habits. It’s never too late to get started, and many tactics have added perks for your budget, too.