Our homes, be they a rented apartment, condo, or single-family dwelling, are places we expect to protect us from the elements, as well as support and nurture our health, both physically and mentally.
However, there’s something many people may not think about: It’s not uncommon for elements in our homes to adversely impact us. The good news is there are many ways we can remedy these potential risks. Here are some helpful tips to do so in a variety of situations.
Indoor Air Quality
Building code mandates for better sealing and insulation sometimes result in a decline in indoor air quality. This is sometimes referred to as “Sick House Syndrome,” and it’s when occupants become susceptible to respiratory issues, headaches, and fatigue. There are many ways to remedy it, including:
- Regularly change the filters on a forced-air heating system and/ or use a portable air purifier. Alternatively, when renovating, consider replacing a ducted heating system with a ductless heating pump system.
- Turn on your kitchen and bathroom fan before you need them. This practice will allow your fan to do its job to keep the indoor humidity down and protect your walls and cabinetry from damage.
- Have your heat ducts cleaned regularly and ask the ductcleaning service to not add perfume to the cleaning solution. It’s best not to close heat registers in infrequently used rooms, as it can throw your heating system out of balance, lead to condensation on windows, and render a musty smell to the room.
- Remove your shoes upon entering the house, especially during spring and summer when allergens such as pollen can be tracked in.
- Regularly clean window blinds, curtains, rugs, and carpeting to reduce dust mites and other allergens.
- Use natural cleaning products such as vinegar, baking soda, fragrance-free dish and laundry soap (skip the dryer sheets in favor of dryer balls that can be sprinkled with essential oils for a pleasing aroma), while avoiding products that contain chlorine (bleach), ammonia, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances.
- When renovating and decorating, consider replacing carpet with hard-surface flooring to mitigate harboring dust mites and other allergens. Choose materials that have low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).
- Incorporate air-filtering indoor plants into your home, such as bamboo palms, spider plants, Gerbera Daisies, Peace Lily, and others.
Water Quality
A variety of impurities, such as lead found in pre-1980 homes’ galvanized pipes, chlorine, and pharmaceutical chemicals, can be found in both public and private water supplies. Lead in drinking water is a neurotoxin that can impact brain, kidney, and nervous system health.
- If you have concerns about your home’s water quality, there are many viable home test kits available to check. If you are on well water, you can take samples to your local Department of Health for testing.
- If you have galvanized pipes that predate 1980, replace the pipes.
- Consider a whole-house or a point-of-use water-filtration system. Whole-house systems can be combined with softening systems to protect your plumbing fixtures, washer, and more from mineral deposits. It’s important to note that not all filtration systems address contaminants, so pick a model that does.
Appliances
Refrigerators, steam ovens, and clothes washers can play an integral role in helping homeowners optimize their health.
- Refrigerators with integrated food preservation technology can extend the life and nutritional value of perishable foods. This is not only good for your health but also your wallet — reducing methane in landfills from discarded food products in the process.
- Steam ovens are a type of wall oven that can inject steam into the oven cavity, creating a sauna-like cooking experience by producing a penetrating heat that preserves a food’s color, texture, and nutritional value.
- Clothes washers that have integrated steam technology or pet modes help ensure that allergens and dander are removed, reducing potential respiratory and skin irritation issues.
Indoor Lighting
Indoor lighting can have a significant impact on our sense of wellbeing.
- Interior lighting that adjusts with the time of day has a positive impact on circadian rhythms. Additionally, having lightbulbs that use appropriate Kelvin temperatures is also important. As we age, our corneas tend to yellow, making higher Kelvin light bulbs more attractive.
- Multiple light sources throughout a room provide the right light for any task. Paired with programmed lighting controls, you have a win-win scenario.
Dedicated Health and Wellness Zones
Identify a location(s) in your home where you can recharge and/or exercise.
- Select a room (or even a chair) that is for reading and/or meditating. You can define this space by using an area rug or similar. Create dual-purpose spaces. A secondary bedroom can be a yoga studio by morning and a guest bedroom by night. A corner of the garage might be the perfect spot for a rowing machine or treadmill.
In sum, we all have great intentions for living healthier lives, but many of us fall short of bringing these intentions to life. But with a bit of effort, you can convert your home into a bastion of health and wellness for all occupants.
Molly McCabe is the principal designer and owner of McCabe By Design.