9 Unexpected Things in Your Home That Can Make You SICK
Toxic chemicals and other harmful substances can be hidden anywhere in your home without you even suspecting. Are you are experiencing symptoms such as a sore throat, stuffy nose, headaches, or stomach problems often? Maybe even just a general feeling of faintness in the house? You would be surprised to learn that the cause may not be a coughing colleague at work, but rather certain items you keep in your home. While it is helpful to stay away from sick people and wash your hands often, sometimes you need to take a closer look at the conditions of your home. In this article, we have outlined a few of the most surprising things in your home that can make you sick. As well as what you can do to avoid the illnesses they can cause. So, continue reading:
Let’s see which are the unexpected items in your home that can make you sick
Unexpected Things in Your Home That Can Actually Make You Sick
#Dirty Sheets
There is something satisfying about snuggling up in a cozy bed after a long day. But unpleasant details like dust mites living in your sheets might make you opt for the sofa instead. A regular person sheds about 14g of dead skin every week! However, this mostly stays in the sheets and becomes the prime feeding material for dust mites. The droppings and other debris they leave behind can lead to some bad side effects. They include exacerbating eczema, seasonal allergies, skin irritations, and more. To keep these critters away from your nap space, be sure to wash your bed linens at 60 degrees at least once a week.
Wash your bed sheets regularly to avoid dust mites in your nap space
#An Old Air Conditioner
Even if you clean your air conditioner’s filter regularly, germs can still grow inside the air conditioner itself. Air conditioners are notorious for trapping potentially dangerous mold and bacteria like Legionella. Unfortunately, it is nearly impossible to properly clean an air conditioner once it has mold or bacteria in it, so the best solution is to replace it with a new one.
To prevent mold and bacteria from spreading, replace your old air conditioner
#An Old Vacuum Cleaner
You probably think that your vacuum cleaner is an essential cleaning tool in your home, but it turns out that it can actually do more harm than good. A study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology tested 21 different vacuums – varying in brand, price, and age – and found that each one released dust, bacteria, and allergies into the air. Pollution was much worse with older vacuums and those not equipped with the proper filters. The best way to prevent dirt and dust from returning to your indoor air is to purchase a vacuum cleaner equipped with a high-efficiency particulate filter.
Your old vacuum cleaner is probably doing more bad than good
#Your Pet’s Fur
Furry friends can be as loved and cherished as human family members. But unfortunately, the hair they leave behind can make you sick. Made up of microscopic bits of dead skin, pet hair has been known to cause sneezing and sniffling. Especially in people with pet allergies. The best way to prevent allergies around your pet is to keep their fur away from your furniture, sheets, and carpets as much as possible.
Clean your sheets, sofas, couches, and carpets as often as possible if you have pets
#Household Cleaning Products
The majority of household cleaning products are filled with potentially harmful chemicals. They can cause a host of different problems for your health. Of greatest concern are products that contain carcinogens, such as some laundry detergents that contain formaldehyde. What’s more, jewelry cleaners often contain the toxic chemical perchloroethylene. Fortunately, there are many natural, harmless ways to keep your home clean and sparkling. Natural ingredients like lemon, vinegar, and baking soda will do the trick while keeping you healthy.
Some cleaning products contain toxic chemicals that affect your health
#Dirty Refrigerator Drawers
Even if the fruit and vegetable drawers in your fridge look clean, they can still harbor a host of dangerous microorganisms, including E. coli, salmonella, and more. These bacteria can lead to symptoms of food poisoning. They can range from an upset stomach to something more severe, such as kidney failure. To reduce your chances of developing any foodborne illness, be sure to wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating them. Moreover, make sure to sanitize your refrigerator drawers and shelves at least once a month.
Deep clean and sanitize your fridge at least once a month
#Cigarette Smoke
Even if you don’t smoke cigarettes yourself, just being around a smoker can have serious lasting effects on your health. Cigarette smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, about 70 of which are known to cause cancer. The best way to protect yourself is to ban everyone from smoking in your home, especially with the windows and doors closed.
Never smoke inside your home if you care about your health and others
#Secret Mold Strips
Hidden stretches of mold can lurk in all different parts of your home. From the shower head to the drywall in the basement. Mold tends to build up in damp areas. Especially if there isn’t much airflow or a place for moisture to escape. The potential consequences of these hidden areas of mold are frightening, as exposure can lead to nausea, headaches, nasal congestion, and even further exacerbate asthma symptoms. So, get rid of all the mold. And, here is how to get rid of a headache fast in case you get them often at home.
Hidden stretches of mold can lurk in all different parts of your home and cause you headaches
#Lead-Based Paint
It is rare these days, but if you have peeling paint on your walls or windows and your home was built before 1970, you should be wary of the dangers associated with lead-based paint. You can find home tests made for this purpose on the market, available in appliance stores and online. If you find that there is lead in your home, you may want to inquire about hiring someone to remove it, as the process is quite complicated.
Be wary of lead-based paint if your home was built before the 1970s
Now you know what might be causing all those unexpected headaches
Sources
- WebMD ©
- Edna ©
- Hella Health ©
- The Healthy ©
- Health Digest ©
- Bustle ©
