There are illness-causing germs everywhere you go. And while you may not be able to avoid every health risk thrown your way, you can take simple steps to create a safe and healthy nest for your family. Making your home a healthier place starts by cleaning up more often to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold and reduce allergy-causing dust mites.
To give you a clear idea of the things you can do to transform your living environment into a safe haven, we made this list of the best cleaning advice for your house:
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Clean regularly
Dirt and clutter inside the house can overload your senses and elude a sense of discomfort. Every time you see the mess around you, you are subconsciously reminded of all the housework you need to accomplish. In addition, staying in a dusty area can increase your family’s risk of asthma and allergies. To maintain a good level of cleanliness inside the house, you will need to set aside enough time every few weeks to perform a detail cleaning of the house. But if you are too time-crunched to deal with the cleaning chores yourself, or you are simply concerned about the health risks of mold exposure during cleaning, then you can benefit from using professional cleaning services. Professional cleaners have a high level of expertise, so you can expect them to tackle the more challenging chores with ease, and to clean every nook and cranny to prevent the spread of germs.
Mind the entryways
Stopping dirt at the door will greatly reduce the time you spend vacuuming the floors and dusting surfaces. Here are simple ways to prevent dirt and grime from making their way inside your living space:
- Put mats at the entrance door
Well-placed mats help scrape off debris and dirt from your shoes as you enter your home. To really trap mud, we suggest adding mats on the outside and inside of all entrance to your house. The mats will not only keep dirt at bay but will also prevent countless bacteria and allergens from being tracked inside the house. Some entrance mats are also great for trapping water to prevent slips.
Once you have the mats in place, remember to clean them often to push out any embedded dirt that otherwise might also make their way into your home.
- Keep pollen out of the house
During hay fever season, you can minimize the amount of sneeze-inducing pollen that gets into the house by shaking off your outerwear, taking off your shoes, and removing anything that has been outside. It’s also best to use a HEPA vacuum to trap dust and even the smallest airborne particles that a standard vacuum cleaner will only release back into the air your family to breathe.
- Have a no shoes indoor policy
Do your kids walk into your house with their shoes on? If yes, then it may be time to establish a no shoes policy to keep debris on their shoe soles from getting tracked inside your home. For this policy to work, place a shelf by the door where your family and guests can leave their shoes before they enter the house. You can even keep slippers at the door for your family to use.
Make changes in the kitchen
The kitchen is where a lot of fun happens – you prepare meals there, bake some cupcakes with the kids, and even entertain your guests. Because your family spends a significant amount of time in this room, it’s only right that you make it an epitome of cleanliness. You can start with the simplest things like washing your hands thoroughly before working with food to stop the spread of bacteria onto your meals. We also recommend making changes in the way you store groceries in the fridge to keep condiments and other food items in optimal condition. Dairy products and raw meat should be kept on the bottom shelf as they can sometimes leak, and can cause cross-contamination when the juices drip onto your leftovers or condiments.
The FIFO method is also great for preventing foodborne illnesses. You simply need to make sure that the first things you purchase and store in the fridge are also the first ones “out”. Place older foods to the front of your refrigerator, so it’s easy to grab them. Doing this will allow you to eliminate waste and save money, as you make use of what you already have, rather than buying new food items every few days.
Minimize toxins in the living room
To make the living area a safe haven for your family, you must keep dust and dirt at bay. They are not only a nuisance, but can also pose health risks for your family, so it’s a good idea to be vigilant about vacuuming the room on a regular basis. Also, ensure that every valuable item has a home, so they don’t end up taking the form of clutter in your living room. Reducing the mess in this area will make light work of dusting, and make it easier for you to find things when you need them.