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Could your home be making you sick? That’s a question you probably never thought you’d have to consider. But with toxins in our homes, foods and personal care products – it’s a topic more and more people are having everyday.
In HSN’s Connected Life series (Wednesdays, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. ET.), host Brett Chukerman connects you with experts to discuss topics like sleep, relaxation, fitness and more to help you achieve your best, balanced life. Tonight’s guests, Ron and Lisa Beres, are healthy home experts who will teach you how to easily transform your home into the healthy oasis it’s meant to be.
Here are a few tips you can start utilizing today to make your home (and you) healthier.
Add An Air Purifier
According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), indoor hair is two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. Adding the right air purifier to your home is essential to breathing clean, fresh air at home. When it comes to choosing the right one, avoid purifiers that emit ozone and look for multi-stage portable room air purifier filtrations. These help rid your homes of allergens (mold, pollen, dander and… ah chu! dust) and gases like smoke and smog. Make sure to look for terms like pre-filter, HEPA filter, UV filtration, nano technology and/or carbon to identify the best purifier for your home.
The best room to keep your air purifier in is your bedroom as one-third of our lives is typically spent in this room. If a family member suffers from allergies or asthma, it’s also good to have a purifier dedicated to their bedrooms.
Keep It Clean
There are a few tried and true activities you can implement into your daily routine to make your home healthier. For starters, take off your shoes at the front door. Sixty percent of dust is tracked in from the bottom of our shoes, according to a study by the University of Arizona. Your favorite sneakers could be tracking in fecal matter, pesticides and heavy metals – yuck! Continue to keep unwanted dust under control by cleaning with a microfiber cloth. The microfibers attract the negative charge of the dust making the cloth much more efficient cleaning tool.
The average home collects forty pounds of dust every year. Vacuuming weekly (if not daily) will also help keep dust and other allergens under control. This is especially true if you have pets. Their dander and hair can build up quickly and get trapped into carpeting and upholstery.
Create Your Own Cleaning Solutions
Did you know cleaning manufacturers are not required to list all of their ingredients on the label? They use the generic term “fragrance” to protect their trade secrets. Those “fragrances” are often toxins that do not clean or freshen your air, only creating a pleasant odor. Make sure to look for products that list and explain all of their ingredients on their labels. Looking for third party certifications is also a great way to know your products are natural and healthy for your home.
Creating your own cleaning solutions is also a great way to keep unwanted toxins out of your home. For a healthy surface cleaning agent, Ron and Lisa recommend adding one part rubbing alcohol with one part water and a tablespoon of distilled vinegar. If you like your cleaners to have a scent, add an essential oil, then shake and spray your way to a clean and ammonia-free home.
What steps have you taken to make your home healthier? Make sure to watch Connected Life this and every Wednesday from 7:00-9:00 p.m. ET.