Studies have shown that common pollutants in the home can lead to serious problems like asthma, allergies, and chronic disease, but it’s not hard to clean up your act and keep yourself and your family healthy. To help out, the Oregon Environmental Council, the oldest environmental group in the state, has recently put out a wonderful free Eco-Healthy Homes Checkup kit to check up on the health safety and sustainability of your home, complete with helpful tips. If you’re looking for green homes for sale in Portland, recently bought a home after navigating the Portland Real Estate market, or are trying to sell a home in Portland, you could definitely benefit from the tips and checkups in this free kit. Check out our overview of the tips in the package, and click here to receive your own copy free in the mail. It’s an informative, easy way to make a difference in the safety and value of your home – what else could be more worth your time and investment?
The Eco-Healthy Homes Checkup Kit begins with a comprehensive survey of each section of your home, including the area surrounding the house, living-areas and bedrooms, carpets, window coverings, paint, heat/air-conditioning, furniture, children’s rooms, bathrooms, kitchen, garbage and recycling, flooring, basement and laundry room, tools and cleaning supplies… and then continues with tips and articles about each of these areas.
The environmental health of your home is important because any products or chemicals in your home, school, and community, affect your body and the health of your family. You can get help in understanding the proper types, use, storage, and disposal of chemicals in your home, one of the most important factors in your health. The Oregon Environmental Council (OEC) has teamed up with science professionals and environmental experts to identify the leading causes of disease and the most harmful substances that are commonly encountered in the home.
Here are some of our favorite tips from the pamphlet, though it’s really worth it to take a minute to sign up for your own free copy and read it yourself!
- To improve air flow in your home, open a window and turn on a fan, even for a few minutes, every day. Use those fans in your kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room, areas most often plagued by harmful mold.
- When you dust, use a damp cloth, because dry-dusting just moves dust and pollutants around.
- Certain houseplants help to reduce air pollutants. Try heartleaf philodendron, spider plant, peace lily, snake plant, gerbera daisies, mums and bamboo palm for a peaceful, healthier atmosphere.
- If you have a fireplace, do not use green or wet woods, painted or treated scrap wood, or colored paper like the comics section or newspaper advertisements. Ensure that your chimney is cleaned regularly and the flue is clear!
- If you live (or work) near a busy street or parking lot, post signs to encourage people to shut off their engines while waiting, to avoid the toxic fumes from idling cars.
- Wall-to-wall carpet, wood laminate, and vinyl flooring are sources of chemical exposure. Try going carpet free, and use throw rugs made of cotton, rattan, or jute. Renovate with low-voc and formaldehyde-free adhesive and flooring.
- Try not to use non-stick cookware, but if you do, do not overheat or burn it, and discard the pans when non-stick coating begins to scratch or show signs of wear. Cast iron and carbon steel cookware are better options.
- Try to avoid using fragrances in personal products.
By making a few changes in your home, you can have a cleaner, safer, greener sanctuary for yourself and family. Most of these tips work for both renters and homeowners. The Portland real estate market is filling with homes focused on green renovation, and adding a few eco-healthy advancements to homes for sale in Portland can attract more buyers. If you’ve relocated to to the area and are looking green homes in Portland, be sure to contact the McDonald Group Portland Realtors to find the best houses around. We’re passionate about helping you find, buy, or sell your home quickly.
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