50 Hassle-Free Steps to a Healthier Home

Courtesy of This Old House

I'm always on the lookout for tips, ideas, advice, and guidelines to keep my home healthier and hazard-free. I don't have kids, but I do have pets (and that can be a whole other topic to cover in the future) and keeping the house clean, fresh, and healthy can sometimes be a challenge with three dogs and a cat. 

Most of my clients have children or grandchildren, sometimes multiple pets, and are environmentally conscious, too. So, I'm always looking for ways to help my clients have homes that are not only beautiful to look at and live in, but are also healthy, safe, and family and pet friendly, too. I recently came across an article on one of my favorite websites, This Old House, and wanted to share these tips with you.

50 Hassle-Free Steps to a Healthier Home 

Our homes should be our havens, but too often our homes are harboring hazards we're not even aware of. Here are a few tips and ideas to help keep your home healthier, safer, and more wholesome for yourself, your family, and your pets.

Entryways

1.      Keep pollen out. Shake or brush items outside; keep wet wipes handy to clean pets' fur and feet; don't hang laundry outside during prime pollen season.

2.      Add mats to both sides of the door. This will help to keep out dirt, as well as allergens, bacteria, lawn chemicals, etc. Use washable mats whenever possible and clean regularly.

3.      Air out dry cleaning. Try to take off plastic bags before you put the clothes away. Dry cleaning solvents are often potent chemicals. If your clothing has a strong chemical odor, air them out before putting them away. Better yet, try to find a dry cleaner that uses organic products.

4.      Establish a no shoes indoors policy. Keep a basket of slippers or "indoors only" shoes in a basket by the main entry.

5.      Install vent fans in crawl spaces. Keeping the humidity level low prevents condensation and the spread of  musty odors, mold, and helps to curtail allergies and asthma. Find a fan that is designed for crawl spaces.

6.      Create a pet checkpoint. Treat dogs and cats with a monthly flea and tick repellant and check them for ticks and fleas before they come back into the house (if possible). Try to avoid flea and tick collars which contain pesticides, can be irritating to your pet's skin, and can rub off on kids and furnishings.

Kitchen and Pantry

7.      Caulk holes and crevices so that disease-carrying mice, bugs, and other critters stay outside.

8.      Filter your drinking water. Carbon filters - whether a pitcher, tap mounted, or under sink model - can cut levels of lead, chlorine, and other chemicals in your drinking water.

9.      Change refrigerator filters before their expiration date. If your fridge comes with a water dispenser, change the filter every six months.

10.  Toss cracked cutting boards. Opt for a cutting board made from hard maple or hard plastic so germs and bacteria don't have a place to hide.

11.  Clean prep surfaces regularly. Scrub those cutting boards with hot, soapy water after each use.

12.  Use your range hood when you cook. It'll reduce cooking related air pollutants, including carbon monoxide. Clean range hoods and filters regularly.

13.  Seal stone countertops with a product low in VOC's

Living Room

14.  Ban smoking indoors.

15.  Open a window and let in some fresh air (unless you are battling pollen).

16.  Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter. High efficiency particulate air filters are best for sucking up dust, dust mites, pet dander, and fleas. Use a crevice tool and upholstery brush on chairs and sofas, and brush attachments are great for getting rid of dust on lampshades and drapes.

17.  Add some live houseplants. Plants can help to neutralize formaldehyde (sometimes found in furnishings and paints). Good choices include spider plants, peace lilies, philodendrons, English ivy, Boston ferns, and bamboo palms.

18.  Clean hardwood floors often using a mild vinegar and water or lemon oil and water solution. Avoid harsh chemical cleaners.

19.  Sanitize hand held devices. Cordless phones, TV remotes, computer keyboards, etc. all harbor bacteria, germs, and viruses.

20.  Hire a chimney sweep. Regular maintenance on your fireplace and chimney helps lower airborne particulates and reduces the risk of carbon monoxide building up.

21.  Loosen grime with steam. Steam appliances rely on water alone for cleaning.

22.  Shop for furnishings and finishes that have low or no VOC's.

Bathroom

23.  Replace failing or cracked tiles to discourage mold and bacteria buildup.

24.  Dehumidify. Run the vent fan after every shower to prevent mold and mildew.

25.  Avoid using cleaners with ammonia and chlorine. And remember never to mix the two!

26.  Sanitize faucets where germs and viruses collect. Use a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution or use wipes that kill viruses.

27.  Swap out vinyl shower curtains for washable nylon or cotton.

28.  Avoid chemical grout cleaners.

Playrooms/Kids' Rooms

29.  Vacuum, dust, and damp mop regularly.

30.  Test suspect paint surfaces for lead.

31.  Sanitize doorknobs and toys which can harbor germs and viruses.

32.  Install linoleum, cork, tile, or stone instead of vinyl or carpeting. Unlike vinyl, natural materials contain no phthalates and will collect lest dust than carpeting.

33.  Look for chemical free furnishings.

34.  Avoid furnishings and clothing with stain-resistant coatings if possible.

Laundry/Pet Area

35.  Decant kibble into sealed containers to keep vermin at bay.

36.  Opt for paper or plant-based kitty litter.

37.  Nip fleas naturally and launder your pet's bedding regularly.

38.  Make sure that your clothes dryer vents outside and clean the vents regularly to reduce lint build up and a potential fire hazard.

39.  Wash sheets, duvet covers, and mattress pads weekly to keep dust mites under control.

40.  Upgrade to a steam washer.

Bedrooms

41.  Let your bed air out before you make it each day.

42.  Screen out pollen. If you have a window air conditioner, clean the filter often.

43.  Stop using moth balls which contain possible carcinogens. Instead, opt for cedar chips.

44.  Use dust-proof covers on pillows and mattresses to keep dust mites out.

45.  Swap out wall-to-wall carpeting for hardwood and washable area rugs. This will help to reduce the build up of dust, dander, and other allergens.

Basement

46.  Check for radon. This odorless natural gas can go undetected for years. Use a radon test kit every few years and after any work is done in your basement.

47.  Schedule an HVAC checkup to make sure furnaces, boilers, and air conditioning units are in good working order, preventing carbon monoxide build up.

48.  Clean or replace your furnace or forced air system filters regularly.

Garage

49.  Take inventory and safely dispose of any half empty containers of paint, anti-freeze, motor oil, pesticides, etc. that are no longer usable.

50.  Set up to work outside and wear a mask as needed if working with any chemically treated lumber or products that contain formaldehyde or other chemicals.

You can have a well kept home and take care of your health, too. For more tips and information about keeping a healthier home, visit www.thisoldhouse.com

Ceil Petrucelli is an interior designer, decorator, and home organizing consultant based in Bennington, VT. She owns Ceil Petrucelli Interiors and The House Therapist and can be reached at ceilpetrucelli@comcast.net or her website www.CeilPetrucelliInteriors.com