Hassle-Free Steps For A Healthier Home - (Part 1)

Let's face it, we can't avoid every hazard in life specially at home. As much as possible we try to prevent our home from bad bacteria, pollens, mold, virus, etc. for the sake of our love ones' health.
According to health and environmental experts, they suggest the following about tips on cleaning up our household.

On Entryways:

• Keep pollen out by shaking/brushing outerwear. Also, keep a brush and wet wipes handy to clean pet's fur and feet. These are important during hay fever season. Don't hang laundry outdoor on clothes lines.
• Add mats on both sides of the door. These can help catch allergens, bacteria or any lawn chemicals before they make themselves inside the home. ideal mats should be waterhog mats which can be hosed down.
• Air out dry cleaning. Take off plastic bags on your dry cleaned stuff before you get it into home so that any residual perchloroethylene, -a common drying solvent and carcinogen used on dry cleaners can evaporate.

On Kitchen/Pantry:

• Caulk holes and crevices to prevent disease-carrying rodents and insects for coming inside for a free lunch.
• Filter drinking water. - Use activated carbon filters which can cut levels of lead, chlorine, and other contaminants. Use an at-home test kit for water safety to check it yourself.
• Change fridge filters before they expire. - If your fridge comes with a water dispenser, change it every 6 months before sediment build up starts to overwhelm it.
• Discard any cracked cutting boards. opt for ones made of maple or hard plastic so germs don't have a place to hide. Scrub cutting boards with hot, soapy water after each use.
• Use your range-hood fan while cooking to help reduce cooking-related air pollutants which include nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide that lowers humidity, causing bacteria and mold to grow.
• Dry plates and silverwares thoroughly to discourage bacterial growth and wash your hands before putting them away.

In The Living Room:

• Don't allow smoking, to cut indoor air pollution.
• Open windows (unless you're fighting pollen). Indoor air contain 2-5 times more chemical pollutants than air outdoors.
• Use vacuum cleaner with hepa filter which is highly efficient in filtering up dust mites, animal dander and fleas.
• Clean hardwood floors oten using a mild vinegar -and-water or lemon-oil-and-water solution. Avoid chemical-based cleansers and floor waxes that can be high in lung-irritating VOC's.
• Disinfect handheld devices like phones, TV remotes and PC keyboards which can harbor bacteria than a toilet seat.
• Hire a chimney sweep. Regular maintenance for fireplace and chimney helps lower airborne particulates and carbon-monoxide emissions. Before sweeping up, dampen ashes so that they won't fly around the room.

In The Bathroom:

• Replace or repair failing caulks and cracked tiles to prevent mold.
• Run your ceiling vent after every shower and make sure it runs at least 20 minutes to vent moist, mildew-attracting air outside.
• Avoid using ammonia and chlorine cleansers and don't even mix them. They irritate the skin and lungs and even provoke asthma.
• Disinfect faucets where germs and flu viruses collect fast. Wipe them with 3% hydrogen peroxide solution or try wipes with plant oils which kill germs and viruses.