Nobody rents or buys a home ever thinking it would one day become the bane of their existence. However, you may suddenly discover a new meaning of ‘homesick’ if you don’t quickly come to the realisation that there are certain things within your home that could be making you sick, and we’re here to help you reach that epiphany!

Dirty Air Filters, Fan blades, ACs, Heating Systems (HVAC)

The air you breathe in your home comes from the outdoors, and if your home is installed with a heating, air conditioning or other similar form of ventilation system, the mechanism works in such a way that the air that is collected from outdoors is converted into warm or cold air for your home. Inherent in this system, however, is an air filter. As you may have guessed, this filter is responsible for removing solid particles including dust, pollen, mould, bacteria, and other hazardous microorganisms, according to andersonair.com. The air is then made cleaner for conversion.

What happens then if your air filters, responsible for cleaning your air, are dirty? Your guess is as good as ours!

Aside from reducing the quality of your air, news agency Consumer News and Business Channel (CNBC) reports that dirty air filters could trigger allergies, and make you more prone to respiratory viruses.

It may be time then to periodically clean all air filters within your HVAC systems (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) as well as your fan blades!

Moulds

You’ve probably seen the viral social media post about a family who, after a long period of illnesses, discovered that the growing mould in their home was the root of their distress.

Moulds are quite common in homes, buildings, and generally, in and around places with a lot of moisture. Moulds grow well on paper products: cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood products. Also in dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery.

How harmful are moulds to you then? The American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has some answers!

According to the CDC, certain people are simply sensitive to moulds, and being exposed can cause reactions such as stuffy noses; red or itchy eyes and skin; wheezing, etc. However, the reactions may be more intense if you have asthma or have an allergy to moulds.

They also make reference to studies that have suggested a possible link between early mould exposure and the development of asthma amongst children.

All in all, people with upper respiratory conditions, allergies, immune suppression or underlying lung disease may be at great risk of complications when exposed to mould.

How Can We Get Rid of Mould?

Well considering that moulds thrive most in moist environments, the first step would be to tackle issues of moisture in your home. The CDC suggests doing this by controlling humidity levels in your home; promptly fixing leaky roofs, windows, and pipes; thoroughly cleaning and drying after flooding; ventilating showers, laundry, and cooking areas; etc.

It may also be advisable to remove or replace carpets, tiles, upholstery or anything that has begun picking up mould.

Should you decide to clean it up or remove it from hard surfaces, you may use soapy water, disinfectant or bleach, using a hard brittle brush, and wearing protective gear. Don’t forget to air out the area or dry it out when done.

Read Also: How to Clean Your Dirty Walls at Home

Cluttered/Congested Homes

We all get disorganised sometimes. Sometimes, our busy schedules make it hard to put our environment in order constantly. But constant, piled up clutter may become a threat to your mental health and, by extension, your physical health. You know what they say, “mess equals stress”. Rogers and Hart, 2021¹  supports this assertion in their research on the relationship between clutter and wellbeing. The research concludes by establishing a strong relationship between clutter and wellbeing.

Other research also establishes a strong correlation between perceived clutter and heightened levels of cortisol, a stress hormone associated with chronic stress.

An organised space has been proven to help with clarity of mind and a boost in productivity.

However, maybe you’re a hoarder or you have a problem with procrastination like so many of us, and so, avoiding clutter and or a messy space may be a bit harder than you can manage, here are a few tips that can help:

• As much as possible, for every new item you bring into your home, get rid of one or more old stuff.
• Ensure that you return items to their appropriate spots after use.
• Conscientise yourself to complete tasks. Do not leave them unfinished.
• Give out clothes you never wear. If it’s been over six months since you last wore it, it’s time to let it go.
• Get help cleaning up if you can!

Aside from these, there may be other unassuming or not immediately obvious ways your home may be causing you to get sick or causing you discomfort. There could be problems with germs, roaches, and others. Even keeping your humidifier on for too long could be problematic, according to online health news publisher WebMd. Paying a little more attention and getting armed with information could help you take the right steps to  maintaining a healthy home better.

Your home should be a haven and we hope this helps you to keep it as such.

¹Rogers, C.J.; Hart, R. Home and the Extended-Self: Exploring Associations Between Clutter and Wellbeing. J. Environ. Psychol. 2021, 73, 101553.