We call it spring cleaning, but the truth is that we should take the time to go through the home, freshen it up, and make sure it’s all in working order at the turn of every season. We should do it not only because it makes the home a more pleasant place to be, but the truth is that spring cleaning brings with it some unexpected health benefits and can highlight some risks in the home we might not otherwise be aware of.
The real issue with dust
This isn’t to suggest that you don’t regularly clean the home. Even when we do, dust tends to build up in the places we don’t reach as often and it creates an environment that’s generally a little less clean. Not only does this both look and feel unpleasant, but dusty environments genuinely suffer from air quality problems. It can make rooms more humid, which can lead to the growth of mold if you’re not careful. It can also cause or exacerbate breathing conditions such as asthma. These risks only increase if you have pets that leave dander around. Beyond your regular cleaning routine, it’s worth taking the time to dust every corner, nook, and cranny from time to time. You might even want to think of taking the minimalist approach and clearing out furniture and décor pieces you don’t use as often. The more wide-open space there is, the fewer places that dust has to gather.
Go with the flow
Air quality has an important relationship to managing airflow in the home, as well. In particular, you should look at the different aspects of the HVAC setup in your home. Replacing old air filters is essential to maintaining air quality. Some of the greatest dangers can come from older air conditioners, as well. If you don’t take the time to inspect your AC and invest in the occasional AC repair, then you might be at a risk to the build-up and circulation of airborne diseases like Legionnaire’s disease. Plus, looking after your air conditioning has the added benefit of saving money on energy bills so there’s no reason to skip it.
It influences better sleep
Sleep has an important relationship with our health. Our immune system, our body’s ability to repair itself, our energy levels, and even our emotional health can be dictated by a good night’s sleep. Research has shown, however, that clutter and mess, even an unmade bed, can have a drastic effect on stopping us from getting sleep. If you’ve been feeling like you haven’t been able to get those all-important forty winks, that might be the reason why.
The mind matters, too
As mentioned, sleep influences our mental health. But a messy home can have a much more direct effect on it. As they say, a cluttered home makes a cluttered mind. Stress is the most common danger of the dealing with a dirty house. It creates excessive stimuli that make our mind work at a faster rate even when it should be relaxing. It draws our attention away from things we should be focusing on by providing a constant distraction. It creates a sensation that we have more work to be done and feelings of guilt for the fact we haven’t tackled it. Being proactive with the mess in the home clears all those feelings away, immediately helping you better manage stress levels.
Look above
During our seasonal clean, we should also be checking the health of the home and making sure that it’s not deteriorating in any way that can negatively impact our own security and safety. One of the first places we should look is up above us. The roof is one of the important parts of the home for keeping it healthy. Cracked or missing tiles can mean that air comes in and out freely. This doesn’t only make it harder to control the home’s temperature. It also lets rain and moisture in, that can lead to leaks, the buildup of mold and damp, and even electrical hazards that can become fire risks. Learning to check the condition of the roof or occasionally hiring roof repair can keep us safe from all those risks.
Not only will a seasonal clean of the home improve air quality, sleep, and mental and emotional health. It helps us keep track of the very real risks of things like mold and damp build-ups. Let’s not forget that it keeps us more active without us really noticing it, too. So, what are you waiting for? Get the dust pan out and the rubber gloves on.
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