As the place where we spend most of our time, it’s no surprise that how we live at home directly impacts our overall health. Empire’s Vice President of Sustainability & Innovation, Andrew Guido, shares his advice on how you can create a healthy home environment to ensure the quality of your living space is top notch.
Tip #1: Invest in an Air Filter
Clean air is the first step to good health. While you might think you’re protected from external pollutants in your home, recent studies have shown that air quality indoors is even worse than the air quality outside. To combat this, Guido recommends using a HEPA air filter. This type of filtration system — available at your local hardware store — removes at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria and smaller airborne particles.
Tip #2: Ditch the Harsh Chemicals
Your everyday cleaning products might get the job done, but many contain harsh and abrasive chemicals that can be damaging to your health. In addition to causing respiratory irritation, these pollutants can also impact your home’s air quality. Andrew’s advice? Ditch the toxic cleaners and go the DIY route. “Most of what you already own can likely be replaced with a mixture of vinegar, baking soda and water — a gentle (and budget-friendly) alternative,” says Guido.
Tip #3: Incorporate Elements of the Outdoors
The benefits of fresh air are endless, from improving your mood to strengthening your immune system. Open your windows for just a few minutes every day to maintain proper ventilation throughout your home. Speaking of bringing the outdoors in, Guido suggests keeping a few plants indoors to help clean the air, regulate humidity, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Tip #4: Schedule a Deep Clean
Vacuums are great for your day-to-day cleaning but can miss a lot of the dirt and debris deeply embedded in various surfaces around your home. For example, carpets can harbour dust mites and other common allergens — something a quick vacuum won’t eliminate entirely. “If you’re walking around your home with your shoes on, you’re likely tracking in dangerous bacteria. While you can invest in a high-powered machine, you can also give your home the deep clean it deserves with a regular vacuum and your DIY cleaning solution.”
Looking for some more helpful tips? Check out our advice for all things cleaning and why biophilic design is worth incorporating into your home.
Image courtesy of: Amazon (LEVOIT Air Purifier).