Originally published in January 2019.
This winter has been uncomfortably cold for Hyderabad. Interestingly, before the cold was the allergy season when almost everyone suffered or still suffers from colds and coughs and flu and what not. The change of season is hard on the body, especially when your immune system is not at its best. But, did you know that your house is making you sick?
Dust mites, mold, cockroaches and pollen can be the main reasons for your headaches, congestion, sinuses and even your mental health. The interesting part is that these culprits continue to live in your home and make you sick long after allergy season is over. The condition can worsen to cause allergic asthma.
Usually, in these cases there really isn’t much you can do except try to eliminate as much dust mites, mold and pollen from your home as possible, or prevent them from entering. Be aware that these miscreants can enter your home with you, your clothes, shoes, and even the windows.
6 Ways Your Home Is Making You Sick
Letting the dust accumulate
Let me start by describing my own home. We have a lot of dust due to the fact that the area is undergoing a lot of construction and major road traffic. And, yours truly has been guilty lately you don’t dust regularly leading to good dust accumulation.
Always start dusting with a damp cloth to avoid dust moving or becoming airborne.
This increases dust mites in the house and the worst part is that they can come from the presence of dust anywhere. So, cleaning your window sills and balcony is just as important as dusting your nightstand or dining table.
Practically, it is not possible to clean everything every day, so creating a weekly routine helps to reduce the accumulation of dust and prevent the growth of dust mites.
High humidity levels
Our house is on the ground floor with five floors above. Usually the houses on the ground floor are colder than the ones above. It turns out that humidity levels and the risk of mold are also high.
Every time we sleep in our guest bedroom, we wake up with a cold head, sinus or bed head. The reason is that it does not get direct light or air and sinks when completely closed. You can smell the dampness in this room.
Another reason for high humidity is the many indoor plants. Keep them outside during the colder months. Take a humidifier if needed.
Higher humidity levels can cause headaches, chills and encourage mold growth, especially in the mattress. They too affect the quality of sleep so it is important that your bedrooms are well ventilated and well ventilated.
Open all your doors and windows for proper ventilation. Change your sheets and bed covers frequently to prevent mold from growing. Air your mattress in natural light or let it dry once in a while.
Ignoring other fittings and furniture
Any fabric including carpets, curtains, upholstery can help trap dust mites. Other common places are fans, false ceilings, lamps, artwork and stuffed toys. You can’t clean them every day, but a regular vacuuming schedule should be fine.
Clean the vacuum cleaner after each use.
Plush toys they are fine as long as you stay away from them and stay out of your way. Although if you have kids, it’s best to keep two or three washable favorites for regular use. Similarly, use light curtains which can be easily washed in your washing machine.
Carpets they work great as decoration, but if you can do without them, even better. Another of the main sources of dust is vacuum cleaner. Clean the dust bag after each use to avoid spreading dust and bacteria back into your home.
I don’t wash bedclothes often
Our bedding provides them with the perfect place thanks to the sweat and dead skin that accumulates every night we sleep.
Dust mites and mold spores thrive on our bedding, including pillows, sheets and comforters or comforters. This is why you should wash bed linen regularly in hot water. Use a mattress protector to control dust and mold that can settle directly on the mattress.
Lack of fresh air
Whenever I wake up early, my first job is to open all the curtains and doors to let in the fresh air. Nothing is better than this!
Lack of fresh air causes the house to smell musty and stuffy. Be sure to run it chimneys for a little while longer after cooking to completely expel the air. Avoid stacking dishes or standing water in the sinks.
Leave yours bathrooms dry properly after showering to prevent mold from growing on the tiles. Leave the bathroom door open for a while to let the moisture escape.
Possibility of importing outdoor shoes
It might be a better idea to keep the shoe stand outside the house!
There is a reason why it is recommended to us leave shoes outside. They can bring all kinds of pollen and dust and bacteria and other foreign and unwanted elements into the home.
Keep separate pair of slippers for use inside the home. But make sure you wear slippers. Dust on the floor can not only affect your health and sleep, it can cause damage to your skin also. Cracked heels are just the beginning.
Avoiding dust and allergens in a tropical country like India is impossible, but with a few hygiene rules, you can reduce your chances. Washing your hands and feet, changing shoes, and cleaning your pet’s feet are some principles. Taking care of your home is just as important as taking care of yourself.
Until then, Swathi!
