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Your home and your health may be more closely related than you think. The environment you live in when at home contributes to your quality of health. The food you eat, the air you breathe, and the supplies you use can determine how comfortably you live. If you’re thinking about making some home improvements, you can make changes that will benefit you in more than one way.
Some improvements can increase the value of your home and help you live well. Most people focus on home improvements that increase the property’s value, putting money back in their pockets. But here are five ideas you can use to improve your home and your health.
Plant A Garden
A garden is a great way to add curb appeal and support a healthy lifestyle. You will need to choose the type of garden that’s best for you, and a good location. You can plant a vegetable garden to include more fruits and vegetables in your diet. Aside from an increase in physical activity, planting a garden can also help improve your mental health.
A flower garden is more aesthetically pleasing than a vegetable garden. You can install a raised flower bed outside the home to complement the landscaping. If you decide to plant a garden, you should keep it neat and well-kept. A neglected garden can have the opposite effect on your home’s outside appearance.
Eliminate Toxic Chemicals
Another way to keep your home healthy and safe is by eliminating harmful chemicals from your cleaning regimen. It’s never a good idea to mix bleach and ammonia. The mixture produces a toxic gas. But other common household cleaning agents could be harmful after prolonged exposure. Some all-purpose cleaners include several chemicals that could irritate the respiratory tract. Pay close attention to the type of cleaning products you use and the ingredients.
If you keep several cleaning products in your home, you should always keep chemicals in labeled containers. The labeled containers should be stored off the floor, preferably on high shelves. You can also use natural cleaning products like white vinegar, lemon, or baking soda as a safer alternative for your home.
Improve Ventilation System
Air pollution is inevitable outdoors with many pollutants from fossil fuels. But you can control the IAQ in your home by being proactive with ventilation and IAQ-targeted products. The simplest and most cost-effective way to ventilate your house is by opening the windows and allowing fresh air to clear out the old. If your windows are old and hard to open and close, you should install new ones. It’s crucial to move polluted air out and bring in fresh air.
Have your HVAC unit inspected twice a year, and keep all air filters changed regularly. When the HVAC is inspected, ask the professionals about UV lights to sterilize the air and improved 5” media filters to clean the air in your home from particulates. If you have a fireplace, you should have it inspected as well.
Appliances like clothes dryers, stoves, and heaters can release carbon monoxide gas into your home if fumes are unable to escape. You should have carbon monoxide detectors near these appliances and inside your home to keep you and your family safe. Ventilation fans are also important to use in the bathroom and kitchen to remove moisture and potentially harmful fumes.
Update Your Flooring
Depending on the size and age of your home, your flooring could affect your health. If most of your home has carpet, it could affect certain respiratory conditions like allergies and asthma. Floors with carpets can trap dust and mold, so they should be kept as clean and dry as possible. If your carpet is old, you should consider replacing it. If you have hardwood floors, they should also be well-maintained.
Flooring is especially important as you and your house age. You might find that hardwood floors are conducive to more slips and falls, and too much work to keep clean as you get older. In this case, you might decide to have carpet installed to help protect your health and mobility.
Add Outdoor Seating
There’s nothing like a little sunshine and fresh air to improve your mood, relieve stress, and increase your vitamin D level. Another home improvement idea that can increase your sunshine time is outdoor seating. You can add a deck to the back of your house with plenty of space for sitting in the sun and socializing.
You can also incorporate more seating into your landscaping by adding a bench or patio. If you want to get really fancy, you could even have a screened porch or sunroom added to the home. It would increase the value, add curb appeal, and support good mental health.
Final Thoughts
Most people make improvements to their homes every few years. Smart home improvements can increase your property’s value and help support healthy living. If you are looking for ways to add value and comfort, there are several changes you can make.
You can improve the outside of your home by planting a garden or adding a deck or porch. You can also improve your ventilation system, add better storage for chemicals, and update the flooring in the home. Remember to consider a healthy lifestyle when making home renovations so that, like your house, you can get better with time.
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