Boucle Wool Rug in Chalk from Loaf
We might be in the height of Summer here in the UK but it’s never too early to start thinking about how we can create a healthy home this winter. So much changes when winter comes around, and it’s not just the weather, although that is a big part of it. Other changes include the way we live and even how we care for our homes, and as the days get shorter and darker, it’s crucial that we’ve got everything in place to keep our homes as healthy as possible through the winter months. With that in mind, here are a few tips on what you can do to ensure that happens.
Maintain Your Heating System
Photo by Arthur Lambillotte on Unsplash
It’s not necessarily the case all over the world, or even all over the country (depending on where you live), but in general, winter means lower temperatures, and those lower temperatures can cause issues when it comes to your health and keeping your home well-maintained. That’s why ensuring your heating system is working well and is as efficient as it can be is definitely a good idea, and it’s something that should be done sooner rather than later – ideally before the change in weather really sets in.
The best thing to do is to schedule a professional inspection and tune-up of your system and in that way, you’ll know it’s working at its best and you’ll know that you’re saving money on your heating bills.. You can relax and feel confident that your home is going to be exactly the temperature you want it to be and that you’ll stay healthier because of it.
Undertake Effective Pest Control
Winter is the time when pests of all kinds try to get inside your home where it’s warmer, and as much as that makes sense for them, it’s not great for you. You’re probably not going to want to share your home with rodents and insects. That’s why having effective pest control is a good thing to put in place before winter starts, and definitely if you want a healthy home.
Ideally, you’ll call a professional to help you when it comes to pest control because they’ll know precisely what to do to ensure your home is pest-free. In the meantime, you can do some things to help you, such as sealing up entry points, keeping your food secure, cleaning up messes right away, and using natural repellents, such as peppermint oil, which can help to deter mice and spiders, for example.
Control Your Air Quality
Indoor Air Quality Test Equipment
A healthy home will have good indoor air quality so you may want to consider getting an indoor air quality test carried out. Good air quality makes your home comfortable and healthy during winter so it is important to balance your humidity levels properly. Too much humidity can lead to mould and too little can cause dry skin and irritated eyes. In either case, you’ll often find breathing issues to contend with, either from the dry air or from the mould. It’s clear this is something you’ll need to think about.
The best solution is to work at keeping your home’s humidity at somewhere between 30 and 50 percent, and by using a tool to measure the humidity, you’ll always know exactly where you are. If there’s too much or too little, it’s time to invest in a humidifier or dehumidifier (depending on what the issue is) to maintain a healthy home.
These are just some of the ways you can help to create a healthy home as winter approaches. If you can think of any others, please let me know in the comments below.