The average home has more bacteria and toxic materials than what is found in the environment. Almost 80% of poisoning cases originate from kitchens. The golden rule says that boiled and prepared food must not get into contact with raw, unprepared food. The ideal place for bacteria development is in kitchen cabinets, which should be disinfected at least once a month. According to some researchers, one out of five families allows house pets to walk across the working surfaces for food preparation, which should be forbidden. Pets should be kept away from the kitchen, and of course washing hands with soap is required after petting them.
Like other rooms in the house, the living room is a haven for dust mites. All materials in this room demand regular cleaning. The best season for general cleaning is spring, when the need for artificial heating stops. Doorknobs are ideal breeding grounds for transmitting bacteria, and despite that fact many people do not clean them.
The most common house contaminants are: cigarette smoke, mites living and breeding in carpets, aerosol evaporat
ion, glues, sprays, etc. A healthy home requires constant and regular cleaning. It is actually better to clean regularly as this keeps the accumulation of toxic bacteria to a minimum. Ideally tiled floors are more hygienic, but carpets are acceptable if cleaned regularly. Discourage smoking in bedrooms! A frightening fact: around 10% of the weight of one’s pillow consists of dead skin cells, house mites and their dregs. Bedding should be washed at least once a week.
Living spaces should be well ventilated as fresh air makes the home a healthier place to live. Modern buildings with double glazing and without chimneys have very poor natural ventilation, so opening the windows frequently is necessary. One third of people don’t wash their hands after using the toilet. The use of hot water and soap is the best aid to good personal hygiene. Dirty towels can leave large numbers of bacteria on the hands so paper towels are a better choice.
Reducing the internal humidity of a home is one of the key vital things that will help your house become more healthy because excess moisture in materials helps the little things grow, such as the things explained above. In New Zealand our houses are traps for moisture because they are so well insulated. This insulation keeps the heat in but also the moisture and all the VOC gasses. Make sure your home is actively ventilated for your lifestyle.