How much time do you spend at home? Even if you work outside all day, when you are at home you need to be able to ensure a healthy and clean environment. It is essential for your health and that of the people (and animals) you love. Maintaining good hygiene at home does not only mean removing dust and visible dirt, but also eliminating harmful microorganisms on surfaces, improving air quality and frequently sanitizing fabrics and objects you use every day. With a few simple tricks and a careful choice of the right products, it is possible to make your home a safer and more pleasant place, without having to spend hours cleaning. Read on to learn more.
1) Keep surfaces clean and sanitized
Cleaning surfaces is the first step to ensuring a healthy home environment.
Be careful, however, to distinguish between cleaning, sanitization and disinfection, actions that may seem very similar but have different purposes and applications.
- Cleaning removes visible dirt, dust and debris (such as crumbs under the table), and is often sufficient to maintain a tidy appearance. However, it does not significantly reduce the bacteria present.
- Sanitizing , on the other hand , reduces the number of microorganisms to levels considered safe, helping prevent the proliferation of germs on surfaces such as tables, handles and countertops.
- Finally, there is disinfection which eliminates or completely inactivates microorganisms, and is indicated for higher risk areas (such as the bathroom) or during periods when someone in the house is sick.
Let's say that sanitization is the right middle ground, a good daily practice for a safe home.
2) Air out the rooms daily
Airing out the rooms in your home is a simple but essential habit for improving air quality and promoting a healthy climate, especially in the months when you spend more time indoors.
Stagnant air can accumulate dust particles, allergens, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released by synthetic materials or cleaning products, and even airborne germs. That's why opening windows for just 10 to 15 minutes a day helps circulate fresh air, reducing humidity and limiting the growth of mold and bacteria, which are harmful to your health.
A trick? Cross ventilation : just open two windows located in opposite parts of the house to create an air flow that quickly renews the internal air. This practice is particularly useful in rooms such as the kitchen and bathroom, where humidity and odors tend to accumulate.
Airing out your home daily not only improves air quality, but also helps ensure a more pleasant home climate, reducing the feeling of being closed in and helping to prevent ailments such as headaches and tiredness, which are often linked to poor indoor air quality.
In winter or in highly polluted environments, where opening windows can be inconvenient, you can compensate by using air purifiers , a valid support, especially if equipped with HEPA filters capable of retaining fine particles and allergens.
Have you already tried our Ecasan air and environment sanitizer based on hypochlorous acid? Its non-toxic, ready-to-use formula makes it suitable for safe use in homes, offices, schools, medical and veterinary practices, shops, restaurants and industrial environments.
Houseplants can also help improve air quality by absorbing some pollutants and releasing oxygen. But be careful with those that are harmful to dogs and cats.
3) Pay attention to fabrics and linens
Carpets, curtains, pillows and sheets easily retain dust, mites, allergens and microbes, risking becoming vehicles of allergies and infections if not treated correctly. Regularly washing these fabrics not only contributes to the hygiene of the home, but also helps improve the quality of indoor air and reduce the risk of allergic reactions.
For bed linen , it is recommended to change the sheets at least once a week. Pillows, blankets and duvets, on the other hand, should be washed less frequently, following the manufacturer's instructions to avoid ruining them.
Carpets and curtains should be cleaned at least once a month, using vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters and steam cleaning, if possible, to eliminate dust and mites in depth. If you have pets in the house, we recommend that you increase the frequency of cleaning to limit the spread of hair and allergens.
In all of this, it is important to use delicate and natural products for washing fabrics, especially for those with sensitive skin. Avoiding softeners and synthetic fragrances is another way to make the environment healthier and reduce indoor pollution , since some substances can be slowly released by treated fabrics, contaminating the air we breathe.
4) Hygiene of common areas and frequently used objects
In the home, there are areas and objects that are frequently touched by all members of the family, such as doorknobs, remote controls, light switches, smartphones, and tables. These contact points can quickly accumulate bacteria and viruses, thus becoming potential sources of contamination. To maintain a healthier environment, it is important to include a routine of regular cleaning and sanitization of these elements, thus reducing the risk of spreading pathogens in the home.
For effective cleaning, you can use delicate but powerful sanitizing products, such as those based on hypochlorous acid , which disinfect without leaving toxic residues and are safe even in the presence of children and animals. Even the cell phone, being one of the most handled objects during the day, requires special attention: it is recommended to sanitize it at least once a day.
In addition to regular cleaning, another important precaution is to wash your hands before and after using these objects, a simple but effective habit to reduce the accumulation of bacteria and maintain hygiene in common areas.
5) Choose natural and non-toxic products
Many commercial cleaning and disinfecting chemicals contain substances such as ammonia, bleach , and synthetic fragrances, which can be irritating to the skin and respiratory system, and release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are harmful to indoor air quality. Opting for natural, biodegradable alternatives that do not contain harsh chemicals can help create a safer home environment, especially around children and pets.
Hypochlorous acid is an excellent example of a natural sanitizer, known for its effectiveness in fighting bacteria and viruses without being toxic. This molecule, naturally produced by our immune system, has been replicated in the laboratory through a green process of electrochemical activation capable of offering a safe and non-toxic alternative to chemical disinfectants. Hypochlorous acid-based products sanitize surfaces effectively without leaving harmful residues, do not require rinsing and are safe even for the most sensitive skin. This makes them ideal for daily use on surfaces, fabrics and frequently used objects.
Furthermore, opting for natural products reduces the environmental impact. Sanitizers such as hypochlorous acid , in addition to being biodegradable, do not pollute water and do not contribute to the accumulation of toxic substances in aquifers, unlike many chemical detergents.
Choosing natural solutions therefore allows you not only to keep your home clean and sanitized, but also to make a responsible choice towards the environment. When you buy cleaning products for your home, always choose those without artificial perfumes and colorants, to ensure a healthy, natural and respectful home environment for the planet.
These measures can really make a difference , for the sanitization and cleaning of domestic environments and for your health and that of the Planet. If you want more information on how to contribute to ensuring a healthy home while doing good for the environment, download our free guide.
