New homes can be healthier than used homes because they may come with the latest in design, materials and technology to promote good healthy for your entire family. But even with a new home, certain oversights could be making your home less healthy without you even realizing it. From forgetting to change the AC filters to not tending to your home’s gutters, small changes can make a huge impact on your home’s – and your family’s overall health. According to a 2013 report from the Federal Healthy Homes Work Group, 8 components contribute to the health of a home:
- Dry
- Pest Free
- Safe
- Contaminant Free
- Well Ventilated
- Well Maintained
- Thermal Control
- Clean.
Farima Alavi for HGTV.com outlines some of the common mistakes that could make your home unhealthy, including:
Not keeping a barrier between you and your bedding
Alavi suggest using “zippered dust-proof casings for pillows and mattresses” to prevent dust mites from getting through to your sheets and pillow cases. These can be especially irritating to those with allergies or asthma.
Vacuuming without a HEPA filter
When cleaning floors, you assume that everything gets sucked up into the vacuum, right? Machines equipped with HEPA filters can help to “prevent tiny particles of dust from being blow back out into your air.” That’s not something you want to be breathing in! Alavi also recommends replacing the filter every six months to keep your vacuum working properly.
Forgetting to change the AC filters
When was the last time you changed your AC filters? If you can’t remember, then maybe it’s been too long. Keep your home and yourself healthy by adding this task to your monthly home maintenance list.
Not ventilating your bathroom
The bathroom exhaust fan is often an overlooked feature of new homes. “Running the exhaust fan… helps remove moisture from this naturally humid room,” which is essential for avoiding the building up of mold in mildew.
Not attending to your gutters
Over time, leaves, small branches and other debris can accumulate in your home’s gutters. Examine your gutters each season and frequently remove build up to prevent unwanted moisture from entering your home.
Too many textiles in the bedroom
A lush, comfy bedroom is truly a luxury, especially after a long day, but as Alavi warns, “carpeting, rugs, pillows, upholstered headboards, and chairs are all dust catchers.” If minimizing furnishings isn’t an option, you’ll want to make a point to dust and vacuum a little more frequently in the bedrooms.
See what other mistakes made the list and view the full slideshow: 20 Mistakes That Are Making Your Home Unhealthy / HGTV
