When your child is unwell, it can feel like one of the most difficult things in the world. But when we start to think about the reasons why our children get unwell, especially if it happens so much, we might want to think about what happens closer to home.
The fact of the matter is that pollutants are not just outside, but when we are looking at reasons that we or our children get unwell, the culprits may be right where we eat, sleep, and breathe. Let’s show you some of the ways your home could be housing contaminants.
Your Heating and Cooling Systems
One of the biggest culprits is HVAC. Air-conditioning can leave traces of water in the ducts, which could lead to respiratory issues such as asthma and allergies. It’s important that you keep on top of your air conditioning, and make sure that it is of good quality.
There are many 24 hour air conditioning repair providers that can have a look at the air-conditioning for you. But it’s important to remember that not all ducts can become contaminated. Making sure that you have your air ducts cleaned professionally every couple of years and be sure to get your heating system serviced to make it operate more efficiently.
Your Furniture
If you have a favorite chair or a pillow, these are places where dust mites can wreak havoc. Dust mites are microscopic, and they thrive on the humidity provided by our bodies. If you are experiencing mild allergic symptoms such as asthma, dust mites might very well be the root cause.
The way to offset this is to wash your towels and sheets on a regular basis in hot water. Also, make sure you vacuum and dust on a regular basis. Having a high-quality vacuum that takes up pet hair will ensure that dust mites are truly ripped from the carpet, never to return! You should also consider purchasing mattresses and pillow protectors.
The Refrigerator
While you may clean the insides of the refrigerator on a regular basis, you may very well be neglecting one of the biggest culprits for dust. The electric coil at the back of the refrigerator, if left unclean, can blow dust around your home. The solution is to clean behind the refrigerator on a regular basis.
Your Cleaning Products
While you may be obsessed with cleaning, you might be surprised at the cleaning products that cause irritation. Many cleaning products contain a wide variety of chemicals that may irritate your eyes, cause breathing problems, and may even be carcinogenic. The best thing you can do is to avoid products with certain compounds, such as ethanolamines. It’s important to remember that you can use natural products such as vinegar and baking soda to clean. In addition, if you look for cleaning products marked “green,” you will be doing the best for your home and your health.
In addition, it’s worth considering if you have any allergies with regards to foods and pollen. While many houseplants are typically low in allergens, if you are someone that likes flowers, you may very well be causing yourself issues. Also, it’s always worth having a detox or an elimination diet if you think that your allergens come from food.
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