It’s that time of year again when the leaves start to fall and the temperature starts to drop. This means one thing: it’s time for a good old-fashioned cleaning spree! Not only will this get your home ready for winter, but it will also help keep your family healthy. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips for keeping your home clean and free of germs. Follow these tips and you and your loved ones can stay healthy all winter long!
1. Always wash your hands
One of the most important things you can do to keep your home clean and healthy is to regularly wash your hands. This seems like a no-brainer, but you would be surprised how many people forget to do this simple task.
Make sure you and your family members are washing your hands several times a day, especially after coming in from outside. If you have young children, it’s also important to teach them the importance of hand-washing. You can make it fun for them by singing a song or playing a game while they wash their hands. I also switched to foaming hand soap a few years ago, as I find that its easier for the kids to use and they waste less soap.
2. Make sure you have no mold in your house
Mold is a type of fungus that can grow in damp and humid environments. It can cause a variety of health problems, including allergic reactions, respiratory problems, and skin irritation. If you suspect you have mold in your home, it’s important to have it professionally removed as soon as possible. I have several friends who are dealing with serious, long-term health effects from mold exposure.
In the meantime, you can stop being exposed to mold by regularly cleaning surfaces in your home (such as countertops and bathrooms) with a diluted bleach solution. Also, make sure to keep your home well-ventilated to prevent mold from growing. Additionally, if you or anyone in your family is experiencing health problems that could be caused by mold exposure, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible.
3. Get rid of dust mites
Dust mites are tiny creatures that thrive in dusty environments. Their feces are known to cause asthma and other respiratory problems. Unfortunately, mattresses, upholstery and other hard-to-wash soft surfaces can harbor organic waste like dead skin cells and body oils—even pet dander!
To get rid of dust mites, it’s important to regularly clean surfaces in your home (such as floors, carpets, and furniture) with a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter. Regularly spray your mattresses and other soft surfaces with Norwex mattress cleaner, a biodegradable, enzyme-based cleaning product that eliminates organic waste such as dust mite matter, pet dander, and more.
Additionally, you can reduce the amount of dust in your home by using air purifiers and avoiding the use of feather pillows and blankets.
4. Keep your home free of pests
Pests such as cockroaches, mice, and rats can carry a variety of diseases. To prevent pests from entering your home, make sure to seal any cracks or holes in your walls and floors. Keep food stored in airtight containers and regularly clean your kitchen counters and floors. If you do see pests in your home, it’s important to call a professional exterminator to remove them as soon as possible. This way you can avoid any potential health problems.
5. Regularly clean your home
One of the best ways to keep your home clean and healthy is to simply keep it clean! This means regularly vacuuming, dusting, and mopping floors. It’s also important to wipe down surfaces in your bathroom and kitchen (such as countertops). Get your children to help clean so they learn how to do it and also begin to value keeping the home neat and tidy. Even young kids can help with chores. Turn it into a game for the whole family or play music to make it more fun.
If you’re finding that house cleaning is falling behind, or you’re in a season of life (maybe postpartum) where cleaning is particularly difficult, consider hiring a professional cleaning service. Another idea is to hire a housecleaner to come in once a month to do a deep clean while you do quick, as-needed cleanings in between.
One thing that has really helped me keep my home cleaner (especially since we got a cat) is our robot vacuum. Every night before I go to bed, I do a quick pick-up around the house to ensure there’s no toys, papers or other items for the vacuum to get stuck on. Then I turn on the robot vacuum and let it pick up all the cat hair, crumbs, and other dirt that gets tracked around the house by five kids and one pet.
6. Change your air filters
Another important tip for keeping your home clean and healthy is to regularly change the air filters in your HVAC system. This is especially important if you have pets or someone in your family who suffers from allergies. By changing your air filters, you can help remove dust, pollen, and other allergens from the air in your home.
It’s also a good idea to keep windows and doors closed during allergy season to prevent pollen and other allergens from entering your home. For example, if you have a cat, you should change your air filter every three months. If you have a dog, you should change your air filter every six months.
It’s important to take some time to clean your home this winter. Not only will this help prepare your home for the colder months, but it will also help keep your family healthy. Follow the tips listed above and you can avoid a variety of health problems. Just remember to regularly wash your hands, get rid of mold, reduce dust mites, keep pests out of your home, and clean regularly. By following these simple tips, you can have a healthy and happy winter season! Thanks for reading!
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