Could your home be making you sick?

New research from UK company, My House, My Home, has revealed some shocking information on the health status of our home. Air pollution inside our homes is so bad that the air circulating has over 900 chemicals, particles and biological materials. The research suggests that these substances are causing Toxic Home Syndrome which is putting people at higher risk of developing heart disease, breathing problems and cancer.

Now air pollution is something we think about outside – from cars, trains and busses, rarely something we associate with the comfortable walls of our home, but according to the Daily Mail, sources of pollution inside the home come from mould spores, pollen, radon, carbon monoxide and dander all lurk within homes, seeping through cracks in walls and floorboards, brought in on clothing or produced by wood burners, gas hobs and detergents used in cleaning.

While symptoms may start out innocently – coughing, sneezing, watery eyes and headaches, they can lead to much worse. Muscle pain, rashes, irritation, asthma, fevers, respiratory problems, nose bleeds and lung disease are common signs of severe cases.

So what can we do to make sure our home isn’t putting us at extra risk?

For starters, if you have lived in your home for quite some time now, as is the case with many family homes, make sure you have a regular cleaning cylce and REALLY clean it. Air it out completely and give it an antibacterial clean.

But some other tips – no matter how old your home is include:

• Use environmentally friendly cleaning products. This will reduce the amount of harsh toxins in your home.
• Make sure your home has good ventilation. Always choose air flow over air conditioning.
• Choose wood flooring over carpet if you have the chance, otherwise make sure to vacuum the carpet well at least once a week.
• Leave your shoes outside to prevent unnecessary germs from travelling inside.
• Clean your bathroom well, air out and change your bathmat and towelling frequently and change shower curtains regularly.

Our home is the last place we want to deal with when it comes to keeping yours healthy, so make sure you do the best you can to keep it germ free. The below infographic from My House, My Home, explains the problem in much more detail…

Tell us, how often do you clean your home completely?