Keep Your Apartment a Healthy Place to Live



Keep Your Apartment a Healthy Place to LiveDust, mold and mildew aren’t just unsightly byproducts of poor housekeeping:  they all pose potential health issues, especially if you are prone to allergies. Read on for ways to keep your place clean, and keep you and your apartment healthy.

Keep dust at bay
Regular dusting of the surfaces and floors in your apartment can keep you breathing better and, of course, make your apartment look better, too. There are a variety of tools to help you in your dust-free mission.

A clean, damp cloth will do just fine for dusting, of course. There are also electrostatic cloths that create a charge that attracts dust and dirt, making them quite effective at cleaning surfaces and floors. These cloths come in versatile versions for maintaining different surfaces, including hard-to-reach ceiling fans.  There are also a number of vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters that will remove particles and dust mites from carpet without kicking them into the air, keeping the offenders safely sealed inside the vacuum cleaner bag.

Mold and mildew
Mold and mildew can cause serious long-term respiratory problems.  Moisture is the big offender when it comes to the growth of apartment mold and mildew, so be sure to clean and dry windows, showers or other areas that are affected.  Bleach is a good inhibitor of apartment mold and mildew growth, as is proper ventilation.  A dehumidifier is a must if you live in a humid climate and discover mold or mildew in your apartment.  If these strategies cannot keep mold in check in your apartment, notify your landlord and have him get to the root of the problem.

Air purifiers
Keeping the air clean is a very effective way to maintain a healthy apartment. UV, HEPA and a variety of other technologies are available to filter dust and dirt and, in some cases, actively kill offending bacteria. Look for a model that is appropriate for the size of your apartment.

In the bedroom
Your bedroom should be a healthy place to sleep. Because your bed is a thriving destination for dust mites, work weekly to eradicate them. Wash linens in hot water, and vacuum the mattress when you change your sheets. Protective covers for your mattress and pillows can also help inhibit dust mite exposure. If you have pets, be extra vigilant with dusting and vacuuming, and keep them out of the bedroom, if possible.

There’s really no way around it — a clean apartment is a healthy apartment. Get on a regimen that you can perform weekly and you’ll live in a home that is good for both your mind and your body!

3 Responses to “Keep Your Apartment a Healthy Place to Live”

  1. DLS says:

    This is good advice but for me the bigger problem was cancer-causing cigarette smoke from neighbors above and below that entered my apartment via holes in the utility closet ceiling that my former landlord patched with duct tape. Neighbors also smoked in the common hallway which was a breach of the lease. That smoke came into my apartment via the space between the door and the doorframe. Management did not post nonsmoking signage as I had suggested. Cigarette smoke also entered the apartment via windows which I liked to keep open for my cats. Neighbors smoked on their balcony and patio above and below me. Why don’t more apartment communities provide nonsmoking buildings?

  2. Naren says:

    Good Article.

  3. Ricky says:

    One should be familiar with the 7 principles of a Healthy Home: Keep it Dry, Keep it Pest Free, Keep it Safe, Keep it Maintained, Keep it Clean, Keep it Ventilated, and Keep it Contaminate Free.

Leave a Reply

*

Readers Poll

How much will you budget for your apartment move?

  • $301 to $500 (33%, 15 Votes)
  • More than $500 (30%, 14 Votes)
  • $100 to $300 (24%, 11 Votes)
  • Under $100 (13%, 6 Votes)

Total Voters: 46

Loading ... Loading ...