If your home is making you ill, you’re not alone. This issue is something that affects thousands of people every year.
The trick is to figure out what’s wrong and then correct it. But usually, you don’t know what the causes are, the health impact, or actually what to do about it.
The good news is that this guide provides all the information you need to feel good again in your home. We go through everything from lighting to air quality.
Mold And Dampness
Mold and dampness are perhaps the number one and number two causes of people feeling ill in their homes. These create all sorts of problems, especially in the respiratory tracts.
The causes of mold and dampness are leaks, poor ventilation, or high humidity from the bathroom or kitchen. When condensation builds up, it sticks to the walls and then gives mold the missing ingredient it needs to thrive (water).
The health impacts of mold and dampness can be severe. For example, many people find that it can worsen their asthma flare-ups or make their allergies worse.
Fortunately, there are plenty of fixes.
The first is to open windows and doors after boiling in the kitchen or showering in the bathroom. Allowing air to transfer outset creates humidity equalization, preventing the buildup of annoying condensation.
If you don’t have the option to open a window or a door, then use a dehumidifier. These devices let you suck moisture from the atmosphere.
If you can add fans or ventilation systems to your bathrooms and kitchens that work passively, that’s even better. These work in the background to protect you and your environment.
Finally, if you have mold already, call in the professionals to fix it. Most use safe chemicals, like bleach, for full removal.
Chemical Exposure
Chemical exposure is another risk to your health at home. Coming into contact with or breathing in harmful substances can damage your body.
The most harmful chemicals in the home are:
- Synthetic fragrances
- Some organo-pesticides (mostly banned now)
- Formaldehyde
- Carbon monoxide
Frequent exposure to these chemicals can cause numerous problems, including things like hormonal disruption and cancer. As such, it is critical to prioritize avoiding them.
The best way to do this is to know where these chemicals come from. Most are present in air fresheners, mattress fabrics, essential oils, and cleaning products.
As such, the best solution is to simplify all of these aspects of your household. For example, you could eliminate synthetic fragrances and focus on natural ones instead, which are less likely to cause you harm. You could also install a carbon monoxide monitor and check your mattress to see what fire retardant chemicals it contains (many of which are dangerous).
Poor Indoor Air Quality
Another issue you might face that poses a risk to your health at home is poor indoor air quality. Usually, this occurs because of excessive dust or VOCs in your living space from paints and other treatments or applications.
The most common health issues caused by poor indoor air quality are asthma, headaches, and respiratory problems. Over time, these can worsen and eventually become so harmful that they permanently damage the tissue in the respiratory tract.
These days, you can get little devices that you carry around, telling you about the air quality in a specific area. These are handy if you think the problem in your home is poor air quality, but you aren’t sure.
Fortunately, there are several fixes for poor indoor air quality. These include:
- Using HEPA air filters
- Vacuuming and ventilating
- Avoiding VOC-containing products
- Cleaning and replacing HVAC filters
It’s also critical to get air duct repair services, as broken ducts can harbor germs and bring in new ones from outside if cracked. These facilities reduce the risk of breathing in pathogenic items, allowing you to be more comfortable during the day and at night.
Poor Lighting
Poor lighting could be another reason your home is making you ill. The wrong sort of light may leave you feeling tired or excessively alert. It could also cause eye strain (if you are trying to read something) or disrupt your sleep cycles, preventing you from getting the rest you need to be at your best.
Fortunately, the fixes are pretty easy:
- Use bulbs that mimic natural light and can offer more redness in the evening
- If using a screen, use a dimmer and change the light output in the afternoon and evening to prioritize red light
- Avoid blue or white lights in the evening
For example, suppose you have bright white spotlights in your bathroom. These make you feel invigorated in the morning, but you need redder or more orange ones in the evening to help you unwind.
Noise Pollution
Noise pollution could also be a reason why your home is making you ill. Excessive sounds from the street outside might be affecting you unconsciously and preventing you from feeling happy.
The causes of noise pollution are pretty obvious. One issue in apartments is thin walls–you can hear everything that’s going on in the dwelling next to yours.
Another problem is loud appliances. Some washing machines are criminally noisy.
The impact of this can be things like sleep disturbances or even hearing issues. Too much loud noise leaves you feeling stressed and with a bunch of other health complaints.
The fix is to use soundproofing materials like rugs and foam panels. These are handy when you want to just block out noise. You can also get engineers to pump soundproofing insulation behind your walls to reduce decibel levels further.
Other fixes include:
- Replacing old appliances
- Using white noise machines for better sleep
Clutter
Finally, clutter in your home could be a way it’s making you ill. Excessive “stuff” lying around all over the place is a big problem and likely to lead to more stress and anxiety (which can both have knock-on effects for health).
To fix this problem, donate your items or store them somewhere else. Don’t allow them to take up any precious space in your home.
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