Healthy Living Starts at Home
These days, we all spend a lot of time thinking about health and wellness—and that starts at home! And, especially as we head into flu season again (yes, that still exists!), it’s a good idea to take a closer look at the place where you spend the most time sleeping, eating, and breathing – at home!
Here are a few tips for a healthy living space for you and your family, in addition to regular cleaning and disinfection.
Keep the Germs and Grime Out
One easy way to cut down on germs and bacteria entering your home: Use a mudroom or area by the door to kick off your shoes.
According to a TODAY interview with Dr. Ginny Boos, director of infection prevention at Saint Luke’s Health System in Kansas City, Missouri, “Wearing shoes inside of your home can bring in fecal bacteria, E. coli, mold, and allergens like pollen. And if you have small kids who crawl on the floor and then put their hands in their mouths, that could be an even bigger problem.”
Dr. Boos says that antimicrobial doormats can be helpful, but the best and simplest way to keep the bad stuff out is by taking off your shoes immediately when you enter the home! Hello, cozy house slippers.
Making “Clean” Automatic
You may think that these are only found in restaurants or businesses, but automatic faucets are also helpful for keeping a high-use fixture clean. This type of faucet has the added benefit of use for anyone who may have arthritis or limited mobility. It’s also becoming more popular – in a 2020 report by online design company Modsy, 28% of parents and 26% of non-parents surveyed said they were looking into germ-resistant materials for flooring and surfaces, automatic faucets, and more. To learn more about our remodeling specialties for accessibility, click here.
The Power of Plants
Plants aren’t just for making your home beautiful and green– their presence in a home also improves cognitive function, air quality, and psychological wellbeing.
Think of it as the benefits of living in the mountains of Western North Carolina brought indoors. And speaking of air quality …
More Clean Air, Less Dangerous Chemicals
Good ventilation is key! Indoor air is usually more polluted than outdoor air, and some viruses, including COVID-19, are known to spread indoors without proper ventilation. Medical professionals and home builders alike recommend using an air purifier with a HEPA filter, which can remove 99.97% of particles that are 0.3 microns — this includes not only viruses but also bacteria and allergens.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from thousands of everyday products and have proven short and long-term negative health effects. According to the EPA, concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors.
Here are a few common sources of household VOCs:
- Paints, paint strippers, and other solvents
- Wood preservatives
- Cleansers and disinfectants
- Moth repellents and air fresheners
- Building materials and furnishings
Another reason to have a high-quality air filtration system, and to work with a builder well-versed in healthy, high-quality home standards like Semper Fi Custom Remodeling! We implement green building practices in all of the work we do, from using no-VOC paint to low-VOC flooring and cabinetry.
Reach out to Semper Fi if you want to remodel your home to make it the healthiest home you’ve ever lived in!