How A Clean House Can Improve Your Life And Health
After a long, stressful day at work or school, our thoughts race to the best place to find solace and comfort: our home. Superman calls his home, “The Fortress of Solitude”. Although we’re not faster than a speeding bullet, we do find great solitude in our own homes.
But without knowing it, we’ve been unwittingly turning our Fortress of Solitude into a cesspool of bacteria, contamination and triggers of stress. Instead of cultivating an environment for comfort, safety and well-being, we could be exposing ourselves and those we love to more dangerous conditions.
The Top 5 Reasons to Maintain a Clean House
Here are five reasons how a clean house can improve your life and health:
1. Eliminates allergens
We don’t see them but trust that these unwanted, disease-causing contaminants are there. Allergens are air-borne particles that when inhaled affects our immune system. There are many sources of allergens:
- Dust mites
- These are invisible insects that nestle underneath your mattress and feed on your dead skin. Their excretions are converted to allergens. See our article for tips on how to maintain a clean mattress between regular professional mattress cleaning to help limit your exposure to these pests.
- Moulds and mildew
- These are caused by moisture build-up in areas which are not well-ventilated. Moulds emit spores which become air-borne and can have the potential to become toxic and in some cases, parasitic.
- Pet hair
- Animals shed a large volume of hair every day. Many people are allergic to pet hair. Regular vacuuming can help to control embedded pet hair and dander.
- Pollen
- These are emitted from trees, grass and plants and can lead to hay fever.
- Frequent vacuuming and professional cleaning will help to limit the amount of allergens in the air. Learn more about creating an allergy-friendly home.
2. Lowers risk of contamination
The busiest area in the house is the kitchen. Mishandling of raw food and unsound cleaning practices can lease to cross contamination.
Blood that drips on the floor can be transported from one room to another. Animal blood carries different types of dangerous bacteria such as e.coli and campylobacter.
Counter-tops that have not been properly cleaned and sterilised can also contaminate other food or be transferred to other areas in the house.
In the kitchen, the Golden Rule is “clean as you go”. Make sure all used utensils, chopping boards and knives are in the dishwasher or cleaned with hot water and anti-bacterial solution.
Counter-tops must be wiped clean and sprayed with anti-bacterial solution after use. Kitchen floors must be regularly mopped and sprayed with anti-bacterial solution before closing up.
Don’t under-estimate the potential tile and grout to harbour potential bacteria. Services such as tile and grout cleaning are extremely effective in restoring both the appearance and health of your tiles and grout.
3. Decreases stress levels
No one wants to wake up or come home to a house with so much clutter, unfinished projects and dirt. Professional cleaning services can help maintain a clean, stress-free environment.
According to a study by Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, homes that were disorganised and unkempt increased cortisol levels, particularly in women.
Cortisol is a stress hormone. Stress leads to many disorders such as headaches, elevated blood pressure, upset stomach, various skin conditions and migraines. Over time unmitigated stress can lead to life-threatening conditions such as heart attack, stroke and diabetes. Prolonged stress also leads to premature aging. Cortisol cannibalises muscle protein. Decreased muscle protein can lead to a drop in testosterone levels which will result in sagging and dry skin, falling hair and reduced metabolism.
4. Helps keep you fit
A study in the Psychological Journal found that people who worked in a clean and organised environment were more likely to choose an apple over a chocolate bar.
Again the culprit is stress. Clutter has been proven to be stressful for the human brain. The natural course of action is to cope with the stress by looking for sources that bring comfort.
Food has always been regarded as an effective coping mechanism. Hence, the term “comfort food” has been associated with notoriously unhealthy choices. These include pizza, ice cream, French fries, chips and the ubiquitous chocolate bar.
5. Improves quality of sleep
The studies supporting the importance of getting enough sleep are overwhelming. Lack of sleep can lead to several health maladies such as:
- High blood pressure
- Chronic fatigue
- Heart rate irregularity
- Headaches and migraines
- Decreases cognition
- Diminished libido
- Stroke
- Diabetes
Doctors recommend getting around 7.5 hours of quality sleep every night. Taking intermittent power naps will help you recover but these will not overcome the damage from lack of sleep.
Sleeping in a clean home improves the quality of sleep in a number of ways:
- You breathe better without the allergens
- Less stressful surroundings lead to a relaxed state of mind
- Better comfort means better sleep
It’s easy to keep the bedroom clean and tidy. Before going to sleep, pack away as much clutter as you can. Make it a daily habit to fix the bed upon waking up or before you leave. Consider a professional mattress cleaning to ensure a truly clean, sanitary and hygienic sleeping environment.
A clean house isn’t just a wonderful thing to go home to. It also keeps us healthy and improves the quality of our life.
In ways, your home is a metaphor for your life. It houses your memories and how you treat it will reflect how you treat yourself.
Take the first step towards a healthier home with The Carpet Surgeon Gold Coast’s services.
We offer a comprehensive range of services including:
- Carpet cleaning Gold Coast
- Mattress cleaning Gold Coast
- Upholstery cleaning Gold Coast
- Rug cleaning Gold Coast
- Carpet and upholstery odour removal Gold Coast
- Carpet and upholstery stain removal Gold Coast
- Tile and grout cleaning Gold Coast
- Water damage restoration and carpet drying Gold Coast
- Carpet repairs Gold Coast
- Pest control Gold Coast
Ready to create a healthier home environment? Book with The Carpet Surgeon Gold Coast today and experience the difference a truly clean home can make.
