Most of us spend most of our time at home, so it is fair to say that the Health of our home can have a significant effect on the health of our families too.

With that being the case, let’s look at a few things we can all do to make our home healthier for us and our families.

Invest in some air purifying plants

The air we breathe in is not always great for our health, even when we are indoors in our own homes. Pollutants from fireplaces, ovens and their outdoors can all get into the space and make it hard for people who have conditions like asthma to breathe east. One simple thing that can really help with this is filling your home with plants.

Air purifying plants, like cacti and peace lilies are great at sucking pollutants out of the air, so that you can start breathing in, clean fresh air instead.

Take shoes off

If you can encourage your kids to take their shoes off at the door, and if you do the same, you will minimise the amount of bacteria and pollen, for example, that is tracked into the house, which means you will all be less likely to get sick and suffer from allergies. This is particularly important when you have young kids who spend a lot of time playing on the floor but it will help you to have a healthier home no matter who is living in it.

Keep the pets clean

If you have dogs or cats, then you will probably know that they can bring in all manner of dirt and mess on their paws and in their fur. If, then, you want your home to be as healthy as it can, you need to ensure that your animals are regularly bathed and groomed.

It is also a good idea to keep on top of pet dander, which is not only messy, but which can also set off allergies for people who suffer from them and make asthma symptoms worse. Buy the best vacuum cleaner for pet hair you can find and commit to cleaning it up regularly and you will all breathe a little easier at home, at least.

Declutter

You might not think that decluttering your home of all the excess stuff you do not really need could have much impact on your health but it really can. For one thing, the less stuff you have in your home, the less stuff you have gathering dust that can aggravate numerous conditions, and for another, when your home is clean and clutter-free, it is easier for everyone in the place to relax and de-stress without having to look at piles of clothing or overspilling books shelves, for example.

Pexels - CCO Licence

Wipe the kids’ toys

As a parent, you will probably know how dirty kids can get and how averse they often are to washing their hands. That is why toys are often a common source of bacteria that can make the whole family sick. By simply using antibacterial wipes to clean them off periodically you can drastically reduce the chances that your kids will spend bugs between each other simply by playing with their toys after they have been playing in the garden and getting messy or interacting with friends who are already sick, or example.

Switch to soy candles

If you are someone who enjoys lighting a scented candle or two in the evening to help you unwind, then you might want to switch from regular candles to those made from soy or even beeswax instead. Why? Because paraffin candles give off a lot of nasty chemicals that can irritate the lungs, some of which may also be carcinogenic. Soy candles do not have this problem, nor do beeswax candles, which can actually help to purify the air too.

Clean up mould immediately

Mould is an extremely big problem in many homes in the UK, and it can have a horrible impact on one’s health, especially in individuals who already have conditions that make it harder for them to breathe.

If you notice mould has started to form in your home, it is, then, really important that you act fast and get rid of it as soon as possible. The best way to get rid of mould in the first instance is to mix one part bleach with four parts water and scrub it off walls and tiles.

When you are decorating, using anti-mould paint is also sensible as it will inhibit the growth of future mould sports, so you can all breathe a little more easily.

Let there be light

Natural light that is. Natural light is really good for us. It helps our bodies to create vitamin D and it has been shown to boost mood too. So, having lots of big windows is always going to make for a healthier home, and no matter how big or small your windows may be, making sure you make the most of the light available to you by opening up windows and blinds as much as possible will certainly help to keep your family in the picture of health.

Landscape the garden

If you are lucky enough to have an outdoor space, doing it up so that it is an inviting place for you all to spend time is a really good way of helping you all to stay healthy. Not only will you get the benefits of natural light, as mentioned above, but you will also get the benefit of fresh air, and of course, you can encourage the kids to run around hunting for bugs, watching birds, playing football and climbing trees, which will help to keep them fit and healthy too.

A healthy home, as you can see is far easier to create than you might have imagined, and although you might have to make a few little changes here and there, it will be worth it when you can relax at home safe in the knowledge that your surroundings are actively helping you to be healthy!