4 Problem Areas in Your Home that Could Be Making you Sick

By Charlotte Meier

Your home may seem nice, neat, and clean, but under a microscope, your home could very well be making you sick. It is very important to comb through your house and check the potential problem areas. Even if the main areas in your space are spotless, you might be missing a serious health concern.

We share some of the main problem areas that could be affecting your well-being below.

The Bathroom

Your bathroom can be a major problem area for several reasons. It is more humid than the other rooms in your home, leaving it more susceptible to mold and mildew. Furthermore, your towels may not be drying as quickly as they need to be, your shower curtain likely isn’t being washed frequently enough, and your bathmat is likely full of mold and bacteria. Bathmats are a hotspot for germs as they get soaked and then remain damp for the majority of each day. Between the water and heat, bathmats are ideal bacteria breeding grounds.

It is important that you air out your bathroom following a bath or shower and wash the linens in the bathroom as frequently as possible. Don’t forget to include the shower curtain, towels, and bathmat in your consistent laundry cycle.

Air Ducts

Your air ducts aren’t exactly visible to you as you walk around your home.  This can make it all too easy for you to let your air ducts become unsafe. In air conditioning units, small amounts of moisture remain in the ducts, creating the ideal environment for mold growth. As the AC continues to work, it will begin to circulate spores from the mold into your home, triggering reactions in residents.

To prevent the problems associated with air ducts, it is highly recommended that you hire a professional to clear out these ducts each year.

Your Bedroom

Dust mites are one of the most common indoor allergens, partially due to their presence in bedrooms. Dust mites enjoy warm and humid environments such as mattresses, blankets, and pillows.

The best way to prevent dust mites in your bedroom is to ensure your pillows and mattresses are well covered with mattress toppers, sheets, and pillowcases. You also should be sure to vacuum regularly and wash and dry your blankets thoroughly. If your mattress is getting on in years and you are experiencing symptoms of allergies, you may want to consider investing in a new mattress.

Your Vacuum

A tool used for cleaning is probably the last thing you would expect to be making you sick. However, a shocking number of vacuums do not have proper filters, meaning they take up particles from the floor and fling them into the air for you and your family to breathe.

Before you purchase a vacuum, check to see if it has a HEPA filter. HEPA filters are the best way to clean your floors without compromising your air because they trap dust and allergens.

There are many places in your home that may be causing your health problems. If you’re unsure where to start, you might want to consider hiring a professional to identify and clean the hidden illness-causing hotspots in your house.