Healthy Home Living Tips 

Did you know that the air inside of our homes is often just as polluted as the air outside? Though we like to think of our homes as safe and healthy spaces for our families, the truth is that we need to make small changes in order to keep our homes healthy in the long-run. Use the simple tips below to create a healthier home environment.

Maintaining a healthy home doesn’t have to be hard. Here are five of our top tips for creating a healthier home environment for you and your family:

Adequate ventilation is important in your home environment both for your family’s comfort and health. Proper ventilation works to continuously rid the air of common indoor pollutants, such as built up gases, cooking odors, and smoke. Proper ventilation will also prevent excess moisture in the air from settling into your home’s insulation.

An easy way to improve ventilation in your home is to open the windows slightly when cooking, cleaning, and bathing. At least once a week, turn off your HVAC system and open all the windows and allow your space to “breathe” for about an hour, even during the cooler months. Another easy solution is to allow as many interior doors as possible to remain open. This will help your indoor air circulate effortlessly throughout your home and prevent “stale air” buildup within certain rooms.

Excess dust and debris can result in poor indoor air quality, so it’s a good idea to dust and vacuum your home regularly to prevent dust buildup. Be sure when vacuuming to clean out your air vents and registers, as dust and debris often lingers in these hard to see areas.

When dusting and vacuuming some amount of residual dust will get kicked up and eventually will settle back down onto surfaces throughout your home. By switching on your thermostat’s “FAN ON” function, you’ll be able to filter out a significant amount of this residual dust. Only run this setting for about 15 minutes, and then switch back to your “AUTO” setting.

We cannot recommend enough that you frequently change your HVAC system’s air filter. This is a task that needs to be done more often than annually. Ideally, you should check your air filter once per month, and get to know what a clean filter looks like versus a dirty filter. Once your system’s air filter becomes dirty, it’s time to replace it. Depending on whether or not you have pets, whether you engage in projects that kick up a lot of dust, or how often you run your heating or cooling units, you may need to change your filter more often than the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Avoid toxic chemicals when cleaning and repelling pests.

You can easily improve your home environment by switching your cleaning products to eco-friendlier versions. Many of these “green solutions” are also easy to DIY: use diluted vinegar for cleaning mirrors and glass, diluted lemon juice for bathrooms and kitchen countertops, and baking soda + seltzer for stubborn areas such as sinks or removing stains from upholstery.

When purchasing pest repellants, seek out non-toxic options whenever possible. Look for traps and other methods that are non-toxic, so you can keep your home pest free while ensuring your home is healthy for you and your loved ones.

Houseplants not only add a touch of nature to your home environment, but they are also excellent to have around for indoor air quality. As plants take in the CO2 from the air, they release oxygen through the process of photosynthesis. This natural boost of oxygen makes the air easier for you to breathe, creating a healthier environment for both mind and body.

Some plants that are simple to care for are Mother-In-Law’s Tongue, English Ivy, Rubber Plants, and Spider Plants. Place them around your home depending on their individual light requirements. Every room can benefit from having a houseplant or two. Just don’t forget to water!

For more ideas on home improvement, air quality and more, subscribe to our blog. Each month we post new and informative content for Las Vegas homeowners.

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