10 steps for a healthier home
Designers, pro cleaners, and eco-friendly experts offer small steps to make your home cleaner,
safer, and greener.- 1. Eliminate clutter electronicsExpert: Ty Pennington, host of the ABC show "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition"For peace of mind, get rid of clutter—electronics are the number one offender. I'll walk into a
home and see wires and remotes and blinking lights everywhere. How can anyone relax with all
that distraction? I stay sane by chilling in my living room, so even though I love my electronics,
I don't want to see them.I favor furniture with hidden phone-charging stations and storage panels for my CDs, DVDs, and
other digital paraphernalia. That way, the emphasis is on my art and accessories—things pleasing
to my eye. - 2. Get obsessed with microfiber clothsExpert: Debra Johnson, training manager, Merry Maids, "the world's largest home cleaning network"They keep my home spotless. The weave grabs dirt and holds it instead of pushing it around, so surfaces stay cleaner longer. It works so well that I don't have to use as much cleaner, meaning less exposure to all those chemicals. I use different color cloths for different tasks to prevent cross contamination. I even use microfiber mops (never string or sponge mops, which are friendly environments for bacteria). I like the kind with removable heads that can be tossed in the washer between cleanings, like the Libman Wonder Mop.
- 3. Avoid sneaky chemicalsExpert: Leslie Segrete, Host of the A&E lifestyle show "$100 Makeover"Watch for volatile organic compounds. Furnishings with these VOCs off-gas harmful chemicals.
Paints, foams, and carpets can also contain VOCs, so whenever possible, look for products that say
they have zero VOCs, low odor, and no carcinogens. If you aren't sure, just let your new furniture
off-gas for 1 week in your garage before bringing it into the house. - 4. Change your furnace filter oftenExpert: James Baldwin, MD, director of the Allergy and Immunology Training Program and
clinical associate professor at the University of Michigan department of internal medicineTo breathe cleaner air, I use a Micro Allergen Reduction Filter (Microparticle Performance Rating
of 1,000) and change it at least every 3 months. This prevents buildup and ensures that irritants
like dust, mold spores, and pollen are adequately removed from the air. A clean filter also improves
furnace efficiency, lowering your heating bills. - 5. Eat organic you grow yourself
Expert: Chef Brad Barnes, associate dean of culinary education, the Culinary Institute of America
It's a great way to show my kids where our food comes from and teach them the importance of
freshness and pesticide-free purity. Anyone short on space just needs a few pots for a container
garden. Now's a great time to plant fall salad greens like leaf lettuce and spinach, as well as
herbs—my favorites are rosemary (which can be taken in and will come back next year), sage,
and parsley.Pots should have good drainage, be filled with quality potting mix, and be put in
full sun. - 6. Be smart about extension cordsExpert: Christopher Chirafisi, senior technical instructor, American Home Inspectors Training
InstituteA home hazard I commonly see is extension cords as permanent wiring. They should be used only
temporarily and never coiled or covered, lest they overheat and create a fire hazard. The best move
is to have an electrician add more outlets. But in the meantime, at least make sure you're using
extension cords (as well as surge protectors) that have UL certification and are large enough to
handle your electrical load—compare the cord's amp rating to that of what you're plugging into it. - 7. Detox your lawnExpert: Amy Devers, host of the A&E lifestyle show "Fix This Yard"I don't want to put lawn chemicals in the earth or expose my body to it or worry about storing it
safely (always read labels for storage instructions). I've made my yard mostly low-maintenance
ground cover (ice plant) and wildflowers, so I don't need chemicals. If you do need fertilization
and weed control, corn gluten meal, which comes in spreadable granules, is a great organic option.For pesticides, Neem Oil, which can be diluted and sprayed, is another organic product that's even
safe on edibles. You can find both at garden centers such as Home Depot and Sears.
Expert: Debra Johnson, Training manager, Merry Maids, "the world's largest home cleaning network"
Everyone's always reaching for the fridge and then touching food, but cleaning the door
handle is an afterthought for most people. I wipe handles with a multipurpose product every
day as part of my after-dinner cleanup.- 9. Help your bathroom sparkle naturallyExpert: Leslie Segrete, Host of the A&E lifestyle show "$100 Makeover"We keep our bathroom fan on for 15 minutes after showering. This reduces condensation,
limiting the risk of mold growth - 10. Learn when not to vacuum
Getty Images stock
Expert: James Baldwin, MD, director of the Allergy and Immunology Training Program and clinical associate professor at the University of Michigan department
of internal medicine
Well-meaning cat owners vacuuming right before allergic guests arrive. Regardless of the
vacuum used, this will lift the cat allergen called Fel d 1, which is very light and will remain
in the air for several hours. Your guests will actually suffer more than if you hadn't
vacuumed at all.
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சனி, 26 மார்ச், 2011
நலமான வீட்டுக்கு 10 வழிகள் ( 10 steps for a healthier home )
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