For many, spring signals a new beginning. After winter, people welcome its warmer weather, blooming flowers, and longer days. One of the most popular American traditions during the season is spring cleaning. It’s usually the time when most people replace curtains, vacuum floors and dust table
Besides its benefits for the house, it can also help your health. Here are four ways how spring cleaning can make you and your family healthier:
Lessen Exposure to Allergy Triggers
Unfortunately, spring is also known as the allergy season for good reason. Fortunately, there are several ways to treat allergic reactions like taking over-the-counter medicine and herbal remedies. But when in doubt or if your symptoms persist, it’s always best to seek medical attention.
The good news is that you can reduce your chances of experiencing awful hay fever or allergic rhinitis symptoms by cleaning. The dust and mold that have been gathering underneath your furniture can trigger allergies. You should also replace your pillow covers and blankets every other week. Consider buying dust mite proof covers to minimize exposure.
But be careful of using any cleaning product you find on the market. Because while you may limit allergic reactions, you may irritate your eyes and skin. You can prevent this by making your own cleaning solution using natural ingredients. Another way is to avoid buying commercial products with toxic chemicals. According to the American Lung Association, some ingredients to avoid are volatile organic compounds.
Reduce Chances of Spreading Contagious Diseases
If you have a kid or two in your household, it’s important to disinfect correctly. A study has shown that children have a tendency to spread infectious illnesses like the flu. It may be attributed to dirty playgrounds and interaction with other kids. While it would take a while for them to develop proper cleaning habits, you can help your chances by cleaning.
An important part of spring cleaning is disinfecting. You should focus on surfaces that’s often touched by people. These can range from doorknobs and light switches to toilet buttons and faucets. It’s also important to regularly clean objects that are always used like keys, phones, and family computers.
Once you know which objects to prioritize, you should make sure that you’re cleaning right. University of California, San Francisco’s health unit recommends using microfiber cloths to clean. They absorb dirt better compared to cleaning cloths made of cotton. You should also make sure to follow the directions on your cleaner’s packaging. Otherwise, you could actually make the situation worse and help bugs develop resistance.
Drive Away Pests
One of the most common household problems across the world is to keep bugs and rodents away. They’re not only embarrassing, but they also pose a danger to the entire household’s health. They carry potentially fatal diseases which can contaminate your food supply. When left to worsen, they can even build nests underneath decks or live between walls. In such cases, it would be more challenging to get rid of them.
Before you reach that point, you can prevent contamination by keeping your house in tip-top shape. Make sure there aren’t any fallen food bits by cleaning every nook and cranny. Create a game plan before you start your spring cleaning. Clean by room and sanitize corner to corner so you won’t miss a spot. After every meal, make sure to wipe off the counters and tables. Sanitize the pantry and throw out expired products. If there aren’t any food for rats and roaches to eat, they won’t survive and multiply at your home.
Help Your Mental Health
Several studies have shown that the act of cleaning can be beneficial for a person’s mental well being. Similarly, people who have been living in untidy and unkempt homes have exhibited higher levels of stress. Basically, an unorganized house is not only unpleasant to look at but it’s also stressful for you. You won’t want people to come over to see your mess. It’s hard to find what you’re looking for when nothing is in the right position. Plus, it’s hard to focus on the task at hand when there’s a lot of clutter around. This is especially important if you work from home or you have a kid. Decluttering can improve you and your child’s productivity and concentration.
To start, you can follow the KonMari Method. You don’t have to be a minimalist to be tidier. You can keep everything that makes you happy and dispose those that have served their purpose.
While it can be daunting, spring cleaning is an important task. Even if it’s time-consuming, it’s always worth it. Not only can it help with the upkeep of your home, but it can also help your well being.
