A livable home isn’t limited to upgrading the design and adding fancy decor in every nook and cranny. It also involves incorporating sustainable technology and practices that promote health, wellness, and safety. With the coronavirus continuing to wreak havoc everywhere, having a healthy and comfortable home is essential for you to thrive and live.
Here are eight ways to make your home a healthier and happier abode.
Place Mats in and out Your Door
Keep your home clean by placing mats outside for you and your guests to wipe off footwear before coming in. The soles of your shoes and slippers can bring in most of the disease-causing bacteria and viruses.
There are washable mats designed to catch allergens, pollens, bacteria, and viruses. Disinfectant mats are ideal for sanitizing your footwear, so they don’t cultivate in your shoe rack.
Install Self-sanitizing Door Handles
Since most viruses can be caught via skin contact, high-touch surfaces such as doorknobs are a hotspot for viruses to grow and spread. These deadly microorganisms are just waiting for new hosts to infect. While disinfecting your door knobs with alcohol, bleach, and sprays help, there will still be a small percentage of the virus or bacteria that will live and multiply.
Install self-sanitizing door handles on your entrance and bathroom doors to enhance the sanitation of your home. These hi-tech handles prevent the further spread of the virus. Self-sanitizing door handles utilize ultraviolet light to purge and sterilize harmful microorganisms on the handle. The UV light only activates when the handle is not used so you won’t have to worry about being harmed or stung by the rays.
With sanitation and health being top priorities nowadays, high-density developments like Zinnia Towers in Quezon City may enhance their sanitation and safety regulations through putting self-sanitizing door knobs and handles in their units.
Designate Slippers
Have pairs of slippers for indoor and outdoor use to avoid contaminating your home with dirt and unwanted pathogens from outside. Outdoor slippers are also convenient for you to run errands and chores quickly. Keep spare indoor slippers for visitors to use.
Designate slippers for bathroom use as well. Bathroom slippers help keep your feet clean and safe from molds growing on your floor. They also prevent slipping when you shower or clean your bathroom.
Place Air Purifiers and Humidifiers
Air purifiers eliminate viruses, pathogens, and foul odors from the air you breathe. Sterilize the air in your home to avoid inhaling viruses that may cultivate in your body. If you live in an area where the air gets dry, use an air humidifier to add moisture to the atmosphere. Humidifiers are ideal for treating dry skin and hair, cracked lips, and dry vocal cords. They are also helpful for those with allergies, asthma, and respiratory problems.
Place your air purifier and humidifier in your bedroom, bathroom, or home office. Fresh, clean air will help you relax better and be more productive. Add your favorite scented oils to make your home more fragrant and inviting.
Add Indoor Plants
House plants aren’t just aesthetically pleasing but are also beneficial for your overall health. Some indoor plants and flowers are natural air purifiers, while some promote happiness and relaxation, and reduce anxiety and depression levels. Some plants also keep pests and insects from flying around your house or condo unit.
Indoor plants also make your home brighter by spreading natural light evenly. Place your favorite potted greens by your window or balcony area to let more natural sunlight inside. Having an indoor garden makes your home a happier, healthier, more attractive, and more relaxing dwelling place.
Let Natural Light and Air in
Indoor air may contain chemicals and foul odors. Opening a window allows natural air to ventilate your home, while carbon dioxide, dry air, and chemicals to exit your home.
Opening a window or two also lets natural light come in. Working with natural light benefits your mental health as it promotes neurotransmitters that spark happiness, productivity, and calmness. A dark home isn’t inviting and ideal for your wellness.
Check for Fleas and Ticks
Pets are great companions, especially if you live alone. While bathing and grooming your furry pals help keep them healthy, jolly, and smelling fresh, parasites such as ticks and fleas pose health risks for you and your pets. These parasites don’t just suck blood and make your pets uncomfortable, but they carry and transmit deadly diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Powassan Virus Disease, Typhus, and the Bubonic Plague.
Conduct flea and tick checks on your pets every two to three weeks using a fine-toothed comb, and remove any bloodsuckers before they grow bigger and reproduce. Use anti-flea-and-tick shampoos and soaps, and flea-collars to ensure your cats and dogs are parasite-free and cheerful.
Deep-clean Your Pillows and Beddings
Keeping your bedroom clean and sanitized is essential for restful and healthier sleep. Change your pillowcase every week to avoid breaking out from the dirt and oil stuck on the covers. Wash your pillows as well to get rid of drool marks, hair grease, dust, dandruff, and foul odors.
Change your linens, duvets, and comforters every one to two weeks, especially if you sweat a lot at night. Avoid lying on your bed with your outside clothes. You don’t want to transfer any grime, bacteria, or virus into your sleeping haven.
Laundering your beddings and pillows also cleanses foul odors, pet hair, dead skin cells, and dust mites living on your bed. Your skin, lungs, and mental health will thank you for keeping your sleeping den clean and pristine.
A well-maintained home creates a brighter and healthier dwelling place for you to grow, rest, and be comfortable. Consider doing these eight simple and sustainable ways to make your home a den of healthy and happy living.
