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Dyson Australia
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3 Steps to a Healthier Home
Live cleaner and greener with these tips brought to you by Dyson
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Your home is your haven, and you want the best for your family. You might spend hours each week cleaning top to bottom – but what about the air you breathe? Fortunately, there are several ways to make your home more comfortable and liveable, especially for people with allergies or asthma.
Read on for some tips from Dyson, a global manufacturer of innovative home products, and breathe easier.
Read on for some tips from Dyson, a global manufacturer of innovative home products, and breathe easier.
1. Ditch the Dust
Dust mites, pollen, mould, pet dander … you might not be able to see these allergens in your home, but they’re there, lurking under your bed like microscopic monsters. A single gram of house dust can contain 100,000 mould spores alone (shudder)! Combat them by dusting and vacuuming often and thoroughly, and by using products made specifically to limit allergens.
To help reduce the amount of dust (and sneezing) in your home:
Vacuuming isn’t the only thing you can do to help clear the air. Read on to see why a home that smells ‘clean’ might actually be dangerous.
Dust mites, pollen, mould, pet dander … you might not be able to see these allergens in your home, but they’re there, lurking under your bed like microscopic monsters. A single gram of house dust can contain 100,000 mould spores alone (shudder)! Combat them by dusting and vacuuming often and thoroughly, and by using products made specifically to limit allergens.
To help reduce the amount of dust (and sneezing) in your home:
- Vacuum wood floors and mats in addition to carpets.
- Target areas where you sit and sleep, such as sofas and mattresses.
- If you have pets, groom them often to help stop the fur from flying.
- Keep humid surfaces such as bathroom walls dry to help prevent mould.
Vacuuming isn’t the only thing you can do to help clear the air. Read on to see why a home that smells ‘clean’ might actually be dangerous.
2. Purify the Air
No matter how clean your home is, chances are good that you have toxic chemicals or other irritants floating around. The air you breathe can become tainted by even the most innocuous products, such as a rug, a chair or a candle. Ironically, the products you use to clean your house could be among the worst offenders.
Some common causes of indoor air pollution include:
No matter how clean your home is, chances are good that you have toxic chemicals or other irritants floating around. The air you breathe can become tainted by even the most innocuous products, such as a rug, a chair or a candle. Ironically, the products you use to clean your house could be among the worst offenders.
Some common causes of indoor air pollution include:
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from carpeting, cleaning products and air fresheners
- Carbon and coal dust from wood-burning fireplaces and heaters
- Formaldehyde gas from foam in furniture cushions
- Dead skin and microscopic faecal matter from pets
- Cigarette or cigar smoke
- Outdoor sources such as pollen and vehicle exhaust fumes
Try using natural products such as vinegar, lemons or baking soda to clean surfaces in your home. Avoid products that contain chemicals, artificial fragrances or other toxic ingredients, such as phthalates. Instead, choose fragrance-free or naturally scented products.
When it’s time to paint, go low. Low-VOC paint contains fewer chemicals than the traditional kind; zero-VOC paint is also available. Proper ventilation is important, especially when you paint or get a new carpet. Open your window or use filtered air conditioning throughout your home to help dissipate the fumes.
When it’s time to paint, go low. Low-VOC paint contains fewer chemicals than the traditional kind; zero-VOC paint is also available. Proper ventilation is important, especially when you paint or get a new carpet. Open your window or use filtered air conditioning throughout your home to help dissipate the fumes.
3. Maintain a Healthy Humidity Level
Dry air can be uncomfortable and can lead to tight skin, chapped lips and sore throats. In winter, heating your home can remove moisture from the air, which can cause sinus problems and colds. Prolonged low humidity in a home can even damage wood and plasterboard surfaces. To help ensure the proper balance in your home, a humidifier can help.
The latest models use ultraviolet technology to kill bacteria before releasing the moisture for hygienic humidification in your room. Look for one that hydrates air quickly, quietly and evenly throughout the room. The optimum indoor humidity level is 35 to 55 per cent.
On the other hand, you don’t want moisture to condense, either; this could lead to mould and mildew (dust mites also thrive on it). If you live in a tropical climate with high humidity, a dehumidifier can help dry out moist air. These work by pulling water out of the air to lower the humidity level and reduce allergens.
No single product can remove every trace of irritating substances or allergens from the air in your home. But by making a few simple changes, you can drastically reduce them – and make your home a better and safer place for everyone in it.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Dry air can be uncomfortable and can lead to tight skin, chapped lips and sore throats. In winter, heating your home can remove moisture from the air, which can cause sinus problems and colds. Prolonged low humidity in a home can even damage wood and plasterboard surfaces. To help ensure the proper balance in your home, a humidifier can help.
The latest models use ultraviolet technology to kill bacteria before releasing the moisture for hygienic humidification in your room. Look for one that hydrates air quickly, quietly and evenly throughout the room. The optimum indoor humidity level is 35 to 55 per cent.
On the other hand, you don’t want moisture to condense, either; this could lead to mould and mildew (dust mites also thrive on it). If you live in a tropical climate with high humidity, a dehumidifier can help dry out moist air. These work by pulling water out of the air to lower the humidity level and reduce allergens.
No single product can remove every trace of irritating substances or allergens from the air in your home. But by making a few simple changes, you can drastically reduce them – and make your home a better and safer place for everyone in it.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
In 1978, James Dyson became frustrated with his vacuum cleaner’s diminishing performance. Taking it apart, he... Read More
The other side of this issue is that we are turning our homes into such sterile environments that children are growing up with less resistance to illness. whilst I don't advocate a return to 19th century standards i do believe that we are going way too far these days