For a Healthy Home, Keep it Clean, Dry, and Free of Pollutants

You may be hyper focused on your health these days but how healthy is your home environment? The air inside of our homes can be much more polluted than outdoors and cause adverse health effects. It is important to know the basics for keeping it in check. There are some guiding principles associated with good IEQ (Indoor Environmental Quality).

Keep it Clean – A clean home is a healthy home and regular surface cleaning and vacuuming with a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter vacuum cleaner will keep dust levels to a minimum. Minimize wall to wall carpet and opt for non-slip, hard surface flooring which is easier to keep clean. Use safe disinfectants for bathrooms and surfaces and beware of mixing harmful ingredients together such as bleach and ammonia. This is a toxic and dangerous mixture. Safer alternatives are out there and there is much advocacy around protecting human health. Simple solutions like good old baking soda and white vinegar can take care of many household jobs. Refer to Environmental Working Group (EWG) for specific listings of safer household cleaners and other products.

Keep it Dry – Water is necessary to sustain life, but water intrusion can wreak havoc for our indoor spaces. Plumbing and building envelope leaks, higher than normal humidity levels, and household accidents can lead to dangerous mold growth. Keep an eye on RH (relative humidity) levels all year long by using a handy hygrometer for optimal levels of humidity between 30% and 50%. Remediate leaks immediately to prevent mold growth and change out the HVAC filter regularly. Install a low-cost alarm for water intrusion near sinks, bathtubs, and water heater.

Eliminate Combustion Byproducts – Carbon monoxide and other emissions from combustion appliances like gas stoves and furnaces are a health risk. Exhaust kitchen air to the exterior with a hood vent fan and make sure your carbon monoxide detectors are in good working order with fresh batteries every 6 months.

Reduce Toxic Chemicals – Buyer beware…Become a detective when selecting products for your home and personal use. Read the labels. For renovation projects seek out building and decorating products that carry third party certifications like Greenguard. There is a myriad of choices that are now available to meet safer standards for healthy living.

Ventilate Indoor Air – Mechanical ventilation can assist with expelling polluted indoor air and removing moist air from bathrooms. Opening windows allows fresh air to circulate but be careful not to introduce outdoor air during high pollen level seasons. Portable HEPA room air purifiers can help keep the inside air pollutant free. Prioritize the bedroom as we spend most of our time there.

Make it Energy Efficient – Taking advantage of utility funded home energy assessments and modifications can help keep the building envelope tightly sealed and provide a more comfortable environment for occupants. Air sealing measures keep out unwanted pests and reduce the need for toxic, chemical pesticide treatments. A little knowledge and awareness of these principles can go a long way to help you live a healthier life within your space.

For more information visit www.interiorelementsdesign.com

Margie McNally, Interior Designer, Certified Aging In Place Specialist, LEED AP, Green AP, NCIDQ, CAPS, ALA Lighting Associate Interior Elements, margie@interiorelementsdesign.com